Your refrigerator works hard every day, but the inside is easy to forget until spills, odors, and sticky shelves build up. A thorough interior clean once a season keeps food safer, helps the fridge run more efficiently, and makes it much easier to see what you actually have before your next grocery run here in Columbus.

Start by planning your timing. Pick a time just before a grocery trip, when the fridge is at its emptiest. Have a cooler with ice packs ready for milk, eggs, meat, and other perishables so nothing sits out too long. If you can, unplug the fridge or turn the temperature control off while you work.

Step 1: Empty everything out. Take out all food, condiments, and leftovers. Check expiration dates as you go and toss anything expired, leaking, or questionable. Group what you are keeping on the counter so restocking is faster later.

Step 2: Remove shelves and drawers. Most glass shelves, door bins, and crisper drawers lift out. Wash them in warm water with a small amount of dish soap. For dried-on spills, let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse and dry completely — returning a damp shelf can add moisture and odors.

Step 3: Wipe the interior walls. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in the solution, wring it well, and wipe the ceiling, walls, floor, and door interior from top to bottom. Baking soda cleans gently and helps neutralize odors without harsh chemicals or strong scents that can transfer to food. For sticky spots, hold the warm cloth on the spill for a minute to soften it, then wipe.

Step 4: Don’t skip the door seals. The rubber gasket around the door traps crumbs and moisture. Wipe it carefully with the same baking soda solution, gently lifting the folds. Dry it well. Clean seals help the door close properly and keep cold air in.

Step 5: Dry and restock thoughtfully. Wipe all interior surfaces dry with a second clean cloth before turning the fridge back on. Replace shelves and drawers, then restock by category: dairy together, raw meats on the lowest shelf in a tray to catch drips, produce in crispers, and condiments in the door. Wipe jars and bottles before they go back in so you don’t undo your work.

Between deep cleans, wipe spills right away, keep an open box of baking soda in the back to absorb odors, and do a quick weekly check for leftovers that need to go.

If you’d rather have help with the bigger reset — kitchens, bathrooms, and whole-home cleaning — Ohio Supreme Clean is bonded and insured and serves homes across Columbus. Our standard cleans are $139 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $189 for 2-3 bedrooms, and $259 for 4+ bedrooms, plus Ohio sales tax where it applies. First cleans and add-ons are full price.

Ready to book? Visit https://ohiosupremeclean.com/contact/ or call/text us at 380-246-4069. You can also book your appointment through Jobber via our website at ohiosupremeclean.com — pick a time that works for you and we’ll take it from there.