Cleaning the refrigerator before you stock up on supplies not only reveals what items you already have in stock but also ensures that the new stock is stored in a clean place and is kept fresh for longer. An unclean refrigerator is a perfect place for bacteria and mold, which can contaminate food, so it is important to follow some safety and storage tips for refrigerating food. Here are 5 simple steps to get a sparkling clean and organized fridge:

• Empty the fridge
  As they say, it is always better to start with a clean slate. Switch off the electricity, empty your fridge, and remove all the shelves and boxes that come with it. Ensure that everything, except for the skeleton of the fridge, is out.
• Wipe it clean
  Remove the shelves and drawers and wash them with warm water and soap. Allow the water to drain and wipe them dry. While they are drying, use mild soap and water and a soft rag to wipe the interiors and doors of the fridge as well as the exterior, sides, and the top of the fridge. Use organic cleaning products available in the market for this. Alternatively, you can use vinegar to clean the interiors.
  If the tray underneath the refrigerator has water, discard the water, wash the tray, and put it back, but note that frost-free refrigerators do not have this tray.
  Soak dried food and food drippings in soap solution and scrape them off. You can also use toothpaste to remove tough stains. Additionally, if there are containers with old and spoiled food, discard the food and wash and dry the containers. Ensure that whatever goes back into the refrigerator is clean. Additionally, if you see mold, ensure that you wear gloves and a mask while cleaning to prevent allergies.
• Arrange the food
  A safety and storage tip for refrigerating food is to arrange and sort the food once you’re done cleaning. While doing this, leave the cleaned fridge open for 10 to 15 minutes so that all odors go away and the interiors are completely dry. Now that you can see what remains to be stored, make a list of the things that you need to buy. Arrange the old containers in front so that you consume the older food first. You can switch on the power once you are done, and voila! Get ready to go shopping and stock up.
• Use mild cleaning agents
  Another effective safety and storage tip for refrigerating food is to use homemade cleaning agents instead of store-bought ones. These are not only cheap, but they are also very effective and environmentally friendly as they are non-toxic. If you have baking soda, bubbly soda, or vinegar in your pantry, you can make your own cleaning liquid. Simply mix one cup of clear ammonia, half a cup of vinegar, and one-fourth cup of baking soda in warm water and use this solution to clean mold and mildew.
• Get the odor off
  After cleaning, place some cotton balls soaked in vinegar at the back of the refrigerator on a couple of shelves. A bundle of activated charcoal can also remove odors. Alternatively, you can leave a small cup of baking soda or oatmeal open in one of the shelves to get rid of bad odor. This tip makes refrigerating food and maintaining the safety and freshness of the stored food easier.