Follow the steps for cleaning your fridge as we’ve outlined above, but when you get to step three you can break out the bicarb.

Just as you used soapy water or baking/bicarbonate of soda inside the fridge, you can use both on the outside of a white appliance, too.If it’s particularly thick it can reduce the efficiency by as much as 25%, so including the coils in your deep-clean is a must. In the future, make sure to wipe up spills immediately and stay in the habit of checking food regularly so it doesn't go off and stink out the fridge. If you notice there are any stubborn stains in your fridge, such as mould or black marks, a paste of salt and vinegar should do the trick nicely. Regular cleaners can streak or leave a film,” explains Krissia Garcia, founder of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean. You should aim for a deep clean four times a year and when you have as little food in the fridge as possible,' says Joyce French, cleaning expert at HomeHow.

Then take a soft cloth, wrap it around a blunt knife, dip it in that vinegar/water solution, and run it gently along the crevices in the seals to collect the gunk. but there are still bits of hard-to-reach gunk between the surface of the shelf and the shelf surround. If you've come this far, you may as well go all the way and learn how to clean a freezer if you refrigerator has one as part of it. When making this list, she carefully considered the types of cleaning applications, as well as ease of use and effectiveness. The best natural remedy for getting rid of bad odours is a cloth soaked in equal parts of water and vinegar.Leave the door open for a few minutes to allow the ice to start melting – you could be tackling the fridge now if you're going for time efficiency. Some stainless steel cleaners are designed for use in the kitchen on stainless steel appliances and cookware. This fast-drying, fresh-smelling fridge cleaner spray is ideal for getting a clean refrigerator; quick, hygienic and thorough. It's a smaller container than most, so you may need to replenish often if your kitchen is full of stainless steel.

You should also use this opportunity to clear out any sauces or jars of food that are going off to avoid bacteria and bad odours.

Better still, if your home is prone to power cuts – eat it before you go, or give it to friends and family to use up. We spoke with the experts in household appliances, Smeg about the best cleaning agents to use and how to go about cleaning a refrigerator.