Refrigerators are wonderful appliances that we all rely on and use each day.  Just think of how many times you are someone in your family goes in your refrigerator each day.  Taking food out, putting food in, it is bound to get messy occasionally.  Nobody really looks forward to cleaning their refrigerator, but, it is necessary.  Refrigerators are a big investment and, like any other appliance, need to be properly cleaned and maintained, regularly, to continue to run properly and to prolong the life of the appliance.
The first step to properly cleaning and maintaining your refrigerator is to clean up any spills or messes right away.  The longer you let them sit, the harder they become to clean.  When spills and messes do happen, remove the shelves or racks and wash them with mild soap and warm water.  There is no reason to use harsh chemical cleaners to clean your refrigerator.  When you need to clean the interior of your refrigerator, simply make a solution of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and one gallon of water.  Pour the solution into a spray bottle and clean out the interior of your refrigerator with this all-natural, but very effective cleaning solution.  Once you have cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator and the shelves, you are ready to reload your refrigerator and organize it appropriately according to manufacturer recommendations.  Going forward, make it a habit to remove any expired or old items that you will no longer be using, before adding in new food.  This will prevent things from getting lost in the refrigerator and turning into gross, smelly inhabitants.
Next, you will want to clean the door seals with warm, soapy water and then dry them so they continue to function properly and keep the cold air in the refrigerator.  To prevent odors in the future, keep a box of baking soda, marked with the date, in your refrigerator and replace according to the directions on the box.  The baking soda will absorb odors and prevent the odors from permeating your food.  Two to four times each year, pull out the refrigerator and vacuum the coils to prevent dust and debris from accumulating and negatively affecting the performance of your refrigerator.  When your refrigerator runs efficiently, it will help save money on energy bills each month.  Lastly, if your refrigerator has a water filter, be sure to replace the water filter according to manufacturer recommendations.  Letting your water filter go past the recommended date will not only result in water that has not been properly filtered but that may also have additional concerns and should not be consumed.
When you properly clean and maintain your refrigerator, you and your guests will enjoy opening the doors and seeing food and beverages in a clean environment and you will also extend the life of your refrigerator.