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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an EPA-registered disinfectant product to disinfect a house properly. If such a product isn't handy, a strong bleach solution can disinfect high-touch surfaces. Before hiring a professional, be sure to discuss the type of chemicals and disinfectants they plan to use to ensure they’re safe for household use.

To keep small appliances in good working order, clean them regularly, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines, inspect connections for wear, and avoid overloading circuits.

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.

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.