Healthy Diet for April 4 – Spring Clean Your Fridge

Spring cleaning your household? Remember the refrigerator!

Appliances collect food debris that harbors harmful bacteria. If the inside fridge temperature exceeds 40°F—common as outdoor temperature rises—the likelihood of harmful bacteria increases.

Put your fridge on your cleaning schedule today.

• Check your owner’s manual. For efficiency and the best cooling, find out how to clean the front grill and the condenser coils. Unplug the refrigerator when you clean the coils.
• Scrub the whole inside—shelves, drawers, freezer. Use a clean sponge and warm soapy water, rinse with clean water, then dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Wipe up spills immediately, especially raw meat, poultry, and fish juices.
• Sort weekly. Toss any foods past their prime. Check expiration dates. When in doubt, throw out.
• Eliminate odors. Keep an open box of baking soda on a back shelf; change it every three months.
• Buy a refrigerator thermometer for the center of the middle shelf. Adjust fridge settings so the temp stays below 40°F.