Freshen up your fridge-freezer

Remove the contents of your freezer, binning any unlabelled and expired items or anything with freezer burn. Pack the rest of the food away in a few cooler boxes while you work. If there’s a build- up of ice on the inside of the freezer, you’ll need to defrost it before cleaning. Switch it off (via either the mains or the temperature gauge). Place a shallow dish under the drain spout at the base and several sheets of newspaper under the door to catch the melting ice, then leave it with the door open for a few hours to defrost. Remove any remaining ice that hasn’t melted away with a hot cloth. Wipe the inside cavity and drawers with a mild all-purpose cleaning spray, then switch the freezer back on.

Empty the contents. Bin anything that has leaked or has seen better days. Remove the drawers and glass shelves and clean the internal cavity using your preferred cleaning solution. Any stubborn whiffs can be removed by using a 50:50 vinegar and water solution. Wipe the shelves with glass cleaner or specialist wipes. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies and right around the door seal, too. Repeat this with the fridge drawers. If you prefer a more soapy wash, put some lukewarm water with a dash of dishwashing liquid in the kitchen sink and soak the glass shelves and drawers before placing them back in the fridge.

Now that the inside of your fridge-freezer is spotless, it’s time to tackle the exterior. Pull your fridge out from the wall-this should be fairly easy now that it’s empty. Grab a clean paintbrush or feather duster and brush the coils at the back to clear it of any cobwebs and dust. While you’re there, give the floor a quick clean, too. Wipe the exterior clean (remove any fridge magnets or kids’ artwork beforehand) and push the unit back against the wall when you’re done. Scrapbook a few of the weathered artwork and find new homes for the old magnets.

Before replacing all the food in the fridge, fill the sink with lukewarm water and wet a cloth. Wipe all the glass and plastic containers that need to be returned to the fridge. Replace all the food in the fridge and freezer and pop a deodoriser in the fridge to keep it smelling fresh.