DEEP-CLEAN THE FRIDGE
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Before stocking up on fresh festive goodies, it’s a good idea to run down supplies so you can give the fridge a thorough clean. Start by taking everything out, storing consumables in a cool dry place and meat and dairy products in a cooler bag with ice packs. Take out removable drawers, shelves and racks and wash in the sink with hot soapy water. Let glass shelves reach room temperature before putting in hot water as they could shatter, and use a toothpick to remove any residue between shelf and trims. Next blitz the interior of the fridge using sterilising solution – strong chemicals are best avoided as food can absorb odours. Pay attention to channels where shelves slot in, as well as the folds of the door seal – a hotspot for dirt – using a cotton bud to get into fiddly bits. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry with kitchen towel. Clean the exterior with a cloth dampened in mild detergent, concentrating on the handle and around the seal. Dry with kitchen towel. Condenser coils at the back of the fridge should be cleaned once a year. Turn off the fridge first and use a vacuum to remove dust.
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Do a bedding audit
Be guest-ready by organising bedding ahead of time so you’ve less to think about in the Christmas run-up. Free up space in your airing cupboard, by going through bedding and getting rid of any old or mismatched sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and towels. Then sort freshly laundered bedding into matching sets, folding each into a neat stack and slipping inside one of the pillowcases. Stored together, bedding will be easier to grab as and when it’s needed.