Freezer cleaning is sometimes the last thing on your mind.
You end up leaving things in there for months at a time and it is easy to forget what you have stored away in the depths of the freezer.
It is a good idea to take some time out to clean your freezer every 3 to 6 months.
This way you have a chance to give the freezer a clean while also getting rid of food you no longer need or want. Freezing food kills some bacteria and also helps to slow down bacteria growth however bacteria can still develop on foods but at a much slower rate. This is why it is important to not leave items in the freezer for long periods of time.
What you need:
- Vinegar
- Sponge
- Water
- Towels
What to do:
- Clean the frozen food out of your freezer.
- Remove anything that has been in there too long or you don’t want anymore.
- You can plan this first step over a couple of weeks to use up the food that is in there or simply place the food you do want to keep in an esky with ice while you clean the freezer.
- Switch off or unplug the freezer.
- Remove any shelves and drawers that are removable and place these in the sink for washing.
- Defrost the freezer.
- If you have a build-up of ice inside the freezer simply leave the freezer door open to defrost. Mop up any puddles of water with a towel.
- This can take several hours depending on how much ice is in the freezer, if you need to speed up the process try using a hair dryer to help melt the ice.
- Use vinegar to wipe the inside of the freezer and clean the shelves and drawers in warm soapy water.
- Rinse any soap suds from the freezer and place the shelves back in.
- Place all the food back into the freezer and turn the freezer back on.