The office fridge can be quite an inviting environment for bacteria to grow and unwanted odors to manifest, especially if co-workers don’t throw out old food. While methods such as baking soda might mask bad odors it is important to understand that baking soda will not permanently remove an odor or clean your fridge. An office fridge can be hard to maintain because of the fact that it is used by so many people share it. Therefore it is important to keep it clean and fresh so people don’t accidently consume expired food items. Here are 5 steps to help you clean and protect your office’s refrigerator.

Remove Items: Old food items that expired can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold or fungi and it is important to make sure expired food get thrown out. Start by removing all items and identify what has expired and what hasn’t. Place perishable food items in a cooler while you continue cleaning.

Remove Shelves: The next step is to start removing shelves, storage drawers and the bottom drip tray. These items are best cleaned in the sink. You can use dish soap and clean them just like you would clean your dirty dishes. Make sure any stuck on particles from food or drink are removed.

Clean the Interior: Disinfecting the inside of your fridge will eliminate unwanted odors by killing bacteria. Start by mixing water and vinegar. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning alternative is great for disinfecting and removing bad smells. You can mix this solution in a spray bottle and use it as an all-purpose disinfectant. Spray inside the fridge and then wipe the solution away with a microfiber cloth.

Protect: In the future you will want to protect your office fridge so you don’t have to clean it as often. Cover shelves and line drawers with plastic wrap. This way any food or liquid that spills can be easily removed. We also recommend having employees put their name on any food items they put in the fridge. This way, employees will know who is accountable for leaving old food in the fridge and will be discouraged from doing so.