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Hacks for keeping your fridge organised and clean

Rummaging through your fridge when it is time to eat? No one has time for that! Satisfy your hunger pangs faster with these fridge care tips.

As one of the hardest working items inside a home, a fridge is often taken for granted. Regardless of the season, or the time of day, it is never given a break and expected to work succinctly.

Fridges house a lot of goods over their time. From fresh produce to leftovers, food in jars, bottles, takeaway containers, plastic, glass, cardboard and paper – you find all this inside. It is no big surprise that fridges can get a little messy from time to time.

When your fridge looks more packed than a container cargo ship, you waste time finding what you need and open an invitation for some premature fridge repairs.

It is important to keep clear space around items so they remain cool, avoid hot and cold spots, and spoilage of food. The inside should be free of spills which promote odour and the forming of mould.

So here is how to stay on top of hunger pangs by keeping your fridge sparkly clean and in good order.

Tips for organising your fridge

1. Basket haven

Store your items in baskets to keep them in place.

Loose items like fruit and vegetables that do not fit in the crisper are perfect for putting in baskets.
Putting spreads in one basket, cooking sauces in another, etc., makes them easy to find.
Plastic baskets are the best as they are easy to clean.
Baskets can slide in and out with ease too.

2. Labels

To make items easy to find label the front of your baskets with their contents. Labels can be as basic as fruit or jams and spreads, or you can go all out and include headings with all of the contents.

3. Keep meats and seafood at the bottom

This is a good rule to remember. Meat and seafood have a tendency to drip or spill over whatever they are placed on. Keeping them on the bottom shelf prevents this dripping onto everything on the way down.

4. Mason jars for salad

Pre-made salads will stay fresher stored in glass (they can last for up to 4 days). Use mason jars for salads – the bonus is you see them so are more likely to eat them!

An organised freezer tip

Freezers fill up just as quick as a fridge and as one of our favourite freezer storage hacks, we couldn’t help but share this one. Use plastic magazine files to create extra shelving in your freezer. Turn them on their side for an instant shelf, just like this one we found at Kmart.

Tips for keeping your fridge clean

1. Line your shelves

Use plastic placemats to line your shelves. When there is a spill, simply take out the mat, wipe it over and put it back – simple!

2. Stop the smell

Uncovered foods, particularly seafood, will leave an odour in your fridge. Just put some bicarbonate soda into an open container and let it sit in your fridge to absorb the smell.

When the smell is gone, pour the bicarb down the sink to give you drain a clean too.

3. Make a cleaning routine

Change cleaning from a chore into a routine. Choose a day of the week as your fridge clean day. Remove your baskets and contents in the fridge and give it a quick wipe over. Cleaning is basic when you keep your fridge well-maintained.

For an inexpensive homemade cleaner, give this mixture a go:

½ cup white vinegar
1 cup water
3 to 5 drops of essential oil (lemon or peppermint are great as they both contain antibacterial properties)

Simply add the ingredients into a spray bottle, give it a shake and off you go.

This mixture will cut through any grease and grime, disinfects and leaves a refreshing smell inside your fridge.

General housekeeping rules for fridges

Here are a few basic tips to help with your fridge maintenance and food longevity:

Set the temperature to 5 degrees celsius or below. Warmer temperatures promote bacteria growth.
Don’t mix fruits, vegetables and meat in the same crisper or container. Cross-contamination leads to food spoilage and wasted dollars.
The temperature on fridge doors can fluctuate. Keep milk, dairy and other easily perishable items in the main section.
Keep a waterproof felt pen handy to write the date you opened any jars, or the date they will expire after opening, so you know when to discard the unused contents.
Check your fridge weekly for items that are out of date and discard them. Remember to add them to your shopping list. There is no use hoarding goods inside your fridge.

Follow these tips and you will have a fridge more clean and organised than Taylor Swift on tour.

Could your fridge do with a check-up or repair? Just contract an Airtasker to help.

Saving space by mounting your appliances

Lacking some spare space at home? Try these helpful space-saving tricks.

Regardless the size of your abode there never seems to be enough space.

Whether lacking cupboard storage, space to hang clothes, bench space to cook and prepare meals, or room to swing a wet towel. It seems the larger the area we have the more tempted we are to fill it with bits and pieces.

Even if your home is decked with an impressively-sized laundry or a kitchen fit for a butler, maid, and chef, it is still nice to capitalise on the space you have. And when you don’t have that expansive kitchen, bathroom or laundry – a little ingenuity is all that is required.

When we look for places to capitalise on space how many people actually think about saving room with their appliances? TV’s have become a popular wall-mounted feature in homes, but being space savvy does not stop at your TV.

Here are some clever space-saving tips for appliance installation around your home.

1. Saving bathroom space

Bathroom cupboards are full of all sorts of appliances. From electric razors, waxing pots, hair straighteners and hair dryers, there is rarely room for much else. You can save some space in your bathroom by fixing your hair dryer or straightener to the wall.

You can find all sorts of wall mounted kits for your bathroom in homeware stores like IKEA.

2. Saving lounge room space

Advanced technologies have seen new additions to home entertainment. A surround sound system can transform your lounge room into a mini home theatre but often this jeopardises room on the floor.

This is where a wall mounted sound bar is beneficial. Sounds bars take up minimal space, make an impact on sound quality, and work in with contemporary home décor.

Sound bars get wiring off the floor and remove the need for bulky speaker boxes.

3. Saving laundry space

An area that tends to get overlooked is the laundry. A washing machine is demanding on space by itself, but when you throw in a dryer too you have a fair chunk of your laundry taken up.

Here are two clever ways to install your dryer and washing machine for a clean and organised laundry.

Stacking
If you have a front loading washing machine simply place your dryer on top. This is called stacking.

How to stack a dryer and washing machine:

Front loaders and dryers can be made stackable by purchasing a stacking kit. A stacking kit will keep the dryer in place while it is performing its shake, rattle and roll dance.
Some manufacturers also create their own stacking kit and recommend their use.
If you can’t find an appropriate stacking kit, a good quality non-slip mat (like a rubber yoga mat) makes a good substitute.

Wall mounted dryer

Not all dryers can be wall mounted, especially condenser dryers which are generally too heavy to be mounted. However, wall mounting a dryer is not overly difficult to achieve for those that are compatible.

How to wall mount a dryer:

Compatible dryers come with their own wall mounting kit.
To ensure your dryer remains sturdy on the wall, use the kit provided.
As all dryers are different, follow the mounting instructions on the installation manual.
There are many other appliances that can be wall mounted to save on space. These include irons, ovens, microwaves, and even electric fireplaces.

If you are not confident on the tools – just hire an Airtasker to do your dryer installation or install any of your appliances.

How to clean a washing machine properly

Washing machines need a little loving too. How long has it been since you cleaned yours?

We expect washing machines to pump out clean, crisp clothes at the flick of a switch or the press of a button. But when your washing machine resembles something out of a Stephen King movie, you can’t blame the machine for undesirable results.

Dirty filters, clogged inlets and outlets, pipes that have seen better days – regular maintenance keeps a machine working at its best.

If your machine is leaving stains, detergent residue, or sudden patches of colour on your clothes, it is probably screaming for a good clean.

Cleaning a washing machine is not complicated. With a few basic steps your machine will be churning out awesome results again, which will save you money on unnecessary washing machine repairs.

These cleaning tips are chemical-free, inexpensive and won’t have any detrimental effects on your appliance.

How to clean a top loading washing machine

Mix ½ cup of bicarbonate (bicarb) soda with 2 cups of white vinegar.
Run a washing cycle with hot water on the maximum water level setting.
Once the machine is at least half full with water, add the vinegar mixture.
Let the filled water sit in the machine for about 30 minutes then allow your machine to run through its usual cycle.
Before all of the water drains out, use a toothbrush to scrub the holes in the washing machine barrel. The grime will come away easy after being soaked and you will be surprised at what comes out!
The vinegar, bicarb and hot water will break down any grease or dirty patches and clean the hoses.
Remove and clean any parts that can be washed separately, such as the fabric softener basket and lint catcher.
Once the inside is squeaky clean give the outside a once over with some washing liquid and wipe away any accumulated dust.
When scrubbing with the toothbrush, let the machine empty the water in stages so you don’t need to have your hands in hot water.

How to clean a front loading washing machine

Add 2 tablespoons of bicarb soda into the detergent draw and ½ cup of white vinegar into the washing machine drum.
Run a standard cycle with hot water.
Check the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to clean the filter. Filters are usually a contributing factor to poor washing results in a front loader.
If applicable, remove and clean the soap and fabric softener dispensers in hot soapy water and dry them out in the sun. This will prevent mould from forming and growing.
Leave the machine door ajar between washes to dry out properly and eliminate mould.
The machine might produce suds during the wash cycle due to the build up of residue. This will happen less if you clean your machine more frequently.

How to tackle detergent residue on clothes

If you find that detergent residue is left on your clothes after a wash:

Do not overload your washing machine.
Try using less detergent in your washes.
Dissolve any powered detergent in hot water before adding it into the machine if you usually wash your items in cold water.
Store powdered detergent in an airtight container to prevent it getting clumpy. Clumps can be part of the problem with residual.
If you have a clothes dryer you can put the effected items into a quick cool cycle for 5 minutes. This will help to shake off the excess residue.

How to eliminate washing marks on your clothes

Blotchy, or smoky-looking marks that appear on your clothes during a wash can be created by scrud. This is a waxy build-up of fabric softener or detergents that are left behind in the drum. Scrud is more common in cold washes and when there is not enough detergent added to the wash. This can cause problems with the washing machine mechanics as well as your clothes.

How to avoid getting a scrud build-up:

Run an empty hot machine cycle with quality detergent, letting it sit overnight.
If you prefer to wash in cold water, run a hot cycle wash occasionally.
Be cautious of over-using fabric softener. White vinegar is a good substitute.
Increase the amount of detergent you use.
Clean your washing machine regularly using our tips above.
Whites washed in hot water will retain their brightness and help to keep scrud away.

If a machine clean does not make your clothes sparkle again – just arrange a washing machine repair with Airtasker.

What size fridge do you need?

Looking to upsize or downsize your fridge? Follow our buying guide to find your perfect fridge.

Making a checklist to find the right sized fridge is probably not top of your priority list. Regardless, it is important when you are about to outlay a pretty penny on installing a major appliance.

With the right fridge maintenance, new fridges have a lifespan of more than 10 years.

A suitable fridge will offer benefits such as:

plenty of storage space
designed so your favourite items are easy to lay your hands on
promotes longevity of fresh food

Here are a few basic guidelines to find a fridge that will best suit your requirements

Measure the area

Fridges require air space around the sides, back and on top for proper ventilation. When measuring the area for a new fridge it is important to account for this free space. The space requirements will be determined by the type of model selected. If specifications are not adhered to you can risk voiding any new warranty.

Leave enough space for the fridge doors to swing open. Although obvious, it is surprising how often this is overlooked.

Fridge capacities

Fridge capacity is measured in litres – the bigger the household, the bigger the space needed. The following are minimum size recommendations for fridges based on household size:

1 – 2 people: 200 to 400 litres
3 – 4 people: 520 – 600 litres
5+ people: 700 litres minimum

Lifestyle and eating habits

A smaller fridge would be suitable if your household dines out a lot or has dinner delivered frequently. On the contrary, if you are big on home entertaining then a larger-sized fridge will be needed to cater for the extra food and beverages.

Fresh foods like fruits, vegetables and meats require more storage area than prepared foods such as sliced meats and pre-chopped vegetables.

When shopping for a new fridge consider which grocery items are regularly purchased and in what quantities.

Frozen convenience meals take up more freezer space too

Energy efficiency

Different fridges have their pros and cons and energy efficiency is one that can hit hard on the hip pocket. Fridges come with energy ratings based out of a possible five stars – the more stars the better for electricity savings.

Most older model fridges are not as energy efficient as newer models. If you are contemplating a fridge repair instead of buying a new one, energy efficiency is something to factor in.

Fridges with built-in ice machines and water dispensers use about 100-150 kWh more per year. Check for energy saving eco settings in these models.

Fridge design and functionality

Shelving: shelves impact storage space and location of items inside the fridge. Do you have a preference for interchangeable shelves, 3/4 shelves, etc.?
Extra sections: bonus sections like diary compartments that open up separate to the rest of the fridge are handy choices, especially if you have kids who love a milk or two during the day.
Crispers: promote longevity for fruits and vegetables. If you are a fan of fresh food ensure there is a good crisper compartment included.
Child proofing: beneficial for families with small children. Some modern fridges include child lock settings on water dispensers, lockable medicine cabinet sections, and temperature controls.
Water and ice dispensers: great to have but need to be plumbed in professionally and cost more to run. Look for settings like holiday mode which can be selected if you are not frequenting the dispensers.
Colour: fridges come in all shapes, sizes and colours and are a prominent feature in your kitchen. Be selective on colour choice. From steel to black glass and everything in between, colour selections are plentiful and can dress up a kitchen design or ruin it completely.

When you have decided that a fridge repair just won’t cut it and it is time to move on, make yourself a checklist before hitting the shops.

Need help with your new appliance installation – simple, just hire an Airtasker.

Should you repair or replace an appliance?

Have your appliances seen better days? Read our tips - should you repair or replace your items.

With modern technologies appliances can cost more than a small vehicle. There are appliances that self-clean, self-cook, self-time, and even fold up your washing. Technology has made daily chores easier to manage and it is damn frustrating when your appliances don’t work as they should.

When an appliance is clanging and banging more than it should be you could look to take on your own electrical work. Often a good grease and oil change is all that is required.

Appliance repairs can get more complicated, especially when MacGyver would struggle with the repair job. For this scenario – mere mortals have no chance!

From fridges and washing machines to vacuums and man shed tools. From appliances that whip, snip, whizz and whirl, cook, clean or make you look beautiful.

Here are some guidelines to evaluate whether you should tackle your own appliance repair.

If it ain’t really broken…

When time poor and frustrated it is easy to miss the most obvious. Is it really broken? Before you get yourself in a tizz, there are a few things you need to check:

Is the appliance turned on? It is surprising how many people actually forget to check that the power is on.
Has the safety switch been triggered? Irons are renowned for triggering the safety switch when they are heating up. Check the electrical box to see if anything has been flicked over.
Are the vents and filters free from dust and cobwebs? Make sure that you clean your appliance filters regularly, including vacuuming out behind your fridge. This ensures the correct amount of airflow is available and that fans are given the chance to operate properly.
Sometimes uneven flooring can hinder an appliance from working properly.

Is there a repair warranty in place?

A lot of new appliances offer a warranty for labour and parts, generally for a one-year minimum. Check your owner’s manual and purchase receipts. If it is still covered under warranty then schedule a service call.

Is it past its expiry date?

Like many things, appliances too have an expected lifespan. According to a National Association of Home Builders study out of the US, appliances generally last for:

Air conditioner: 15 years
Stove: 13 – 15 years
Clothes dryer: 13 years
Fridge: 13 years
Washing machine: 10 years
Microwave: 9 years
Dishwasher: 9 years

Brand quality and how well the appliance is maintained will also affect the lifespan of an appliance.

Is it worth repairing?

A good rule of thumb is to follow a 50% rule. If your appliance is more than halfway through its expected lifespan and the repair cost is more than 50% of the price for a new item, then you should replace the item.

Most repair companies will also charge a callout fee so factor this into the repair cost too.

To DIY or not to DIY – that is the ultimate question

If you know the difference between a spanner and a wrench, a socket and a pocket, then you could consider tackling your own repairs.

But, if electrical work sends shockwaves through your system just thinking about – get an Airtasker to do your appliance repairs.