Giving the Refrigerator a Deep Cleaning {or Nesting Made Me Do It}
Give your refrigerator the star treatment with the All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate and Scented Vinegar from The Laundress when tackling your spring cleaning to-do list this season.
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When I first found out that I was pregnant, one of the first things I pictured myself doing was nesting. I couldn't wait for that instinct to kick in so I could ready our house for the baby's arrival, and I imagined myself tackling many of the home organization projects on my to-do list that I had been putting off.
As I transitioned into my third trimester, the nursery was still far from complete and I still hadn't completed the projects I wanted to. I had zero motivation or desire to remedy the situation, and I was afraid that I'd never really know what it was like to nest.
Then... BAM!
Out of nowhere, I woke up NEEDING to clean our kitchen. I was obsessed with thoughts of giving our refrigerator a deep cleaning and scrubbing down the kitchen counters (as well as everything on the kitchen counters). But, being pregnant, I was worried about using cleansers with harsh chemicals and about breathing in the fumes they typically give off.
Thankfully, the lovely ladies from The Laundress had sent me samples of their All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate and their Scented Vinegar to test. These effective cleaning products are toxin-free and absolutely perfect for a fridge clean out.
Keep reading to see what I thought about the products and to see the embarrassing "before" and impressive "after" photos!
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| Refrigerator Before Deep Cleaning |
When cleaning out your refrigerator, the first thing you want to do it clear everything out so all of the shelves and drawers are empty, including the shelves on the door. This may seem like an intimidating task, especially if you can't remember the last time you gave your refrigerator a good cleaning, but it's best to give yourself plenty of room to work. Besides, you don't want to risk spilling cleanser on food that's still edible and not destined for the garbage disposal or compost pile.
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| Refrigerator Before Deep Cleaning |
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| Refrigerator Before Deep Cleaning |
This is what our refrigerator looked like after I cleared all of the food out and before I started wiping everything down.
Embarrassing, right?
When going about your day-to-day, you really don't think about what's hiding underneath the items on the shelves or in the drawers unless a major spill happens that you have to address right away. Seeing our refrigerator in this state has completely changed my behavior, and now I'm super conscious about wiping the shelves and drawers regularly.
But I digress.
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| All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate from The Laundress |
To give our refrigerator the deep cleaning it desperately needed, I added a capful of The Laundress' All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate to a bucket of hot water and went to town with a sponge and, where appropriate, a scrub brush. Then, to deodorize the fridge, I also wiped down the walls with the Scented Vinegar.
Because the scent of their products is mild (hooray for natural ingredients!), you couldn't even tell I was giving the refrigerator a deep cleaning unless you were standing in the kitchen watching me do it with your own eyes. Even Stephen was impressed.
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| Refrigerator After Deep Cleaning |
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| Refrigerator After Deep Cleaning |
A few hours later, here's what our refrigerator looked like after I finished cleaning it! The project took a little longer than I anticipated since reaching certain spots was difficult with my baby bump, but going slower allowed me to be thorough.
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| All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate from The Laundress |
When I was done, our refrigerator looked brand-spanking new. I could hardly believe it was the same unit, and I was so awe-struck by how fantastic the refrigerator looked that I was hesitant to put anything back in. In fact, I was so amazed by the power of the products that I kept cleaning by adding fresh hot water to the bucket so I could scrub down the kitchen counters, microwave, and stovetop!
For general cleaning purposes, including mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms, you can get 32 uses out of a 16-fluid-ounce bottle of the All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate assuming you use 2 capfuls per bucket. So worth the price tag of $12 per bottle considering the product is toxin-free and made from all-natural ingredients and doesn't leave your home smelling like harsh chemicals.
The Laundress offers full collections of cleaning products for the home and for laundry and fabric care, including products safe for babies, so be sure to check out their website for more information!
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