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Bleach isn’t the best choice to use while cleaning a refrigerator. Food absorbs odors, and bleach is known for its lingering smell, which can then lead to your fresh foods tasting off. Most people don’t safely dilute bleach, either. If you’re concerned about bacteria or mold from contaminated food, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water for sanitizing. Be sure to let the fridge air out for an hour or more afterward to let the fumes dissipate.

To clean a trash can with maggots, combine chlorine bleach and hot water in a 1-to-1 ratio and pour about half a gallon of the solution into the bottom of your garbage can. Just make sure there aren’t holes in the can before doing so. Close the lid, and let the fumes go to work to kill the maggots. Rinse the can with a hose outside. Consider finishing up with a bleach disinfectant and a scrub brush before letting the can dry completely. You can also consider hiring an exterminator near you for a quick, easy solution to maggots in your garbage cans.

You can always use a homemade vinegar solution as a natural alternative to commercial cleaning products. To make and use a vinegar cleaning solution, fill a spray bottle with equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water. Spray the solution liberally across the tub surface. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it down with a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning cloth, then rinse with clean water. If a line of soap scum is still visible, spray it with the vinegar solution. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub the residue away before wiping it down and rinsing again.

Putting off cleaning your fridge is a bad idea for a few reasons. For one, any food spills can build up, making it much harder to clean your fridge when you finally do get around to it. Plus, any stray pickle juice or leaky leftovers are a recipe for a stinky fridge. 

But beyond that, if you don’t clean your fridge, it could be a health hazard. Old food can turn moldy and old spills can too. Even if none of that scares you, putting off cleaning your fridge will make it look downright gross, which should be reason enough to break out your sponge.