The Best Hack For Cleaning Your Refrigerator Is Hiding In Your Bathroom

We all know that brushing your teeth with toothpaste will leave them squeaky clean and pearly white. But teeth aren't the only thing toothpaste can work wonders on. It's also a great remedy for cleaning the gross grime that can build up in your refrigerator — particularly the door. If you're looking for a cleaning hack that'll make your refrigerator really sparkle, consider grabbing that tube of toothpaste to help get it extra clean — and minty fresh!

Toothpaste contains mild abrasives and chemicals, which, when rubbed on to a surface — whether it's teeth or a refrigerator surface — make it an effective remedy for getting rid of buildup and stains. If you're using it to clean a larger surface area, such as the fridge shelves, you can dilute the paste and spray onto the surface where grime has accumulated. It's also an effective way to clean the fridge gasket — the rubber-like seal around your refrigerator door that creates a tight seal that traps cold air when the door is closed. 

Fridge gaskets are notorious places for food particles, moisture, and dirt to collect. Not cleaning them can lead to bacteria or mold growth, which can be smelly and potentially dangerous. When not properly cleaned, the gasket can also become damaged, which will allow the cool air from inside to escape. This can result in higher energy bills as your fridge works harder to keep things cold – and could lead to spoiled food if the fridge isn't able to maintain the proper temperature.

If you're planning to deep clean your fridge using toothpaste, make sure to use a basic, white paste. Avoid whitening toothpastes, which contains a bleaching agent, as well as colored gels which have dye in them, as either of these could impact the color of the surface you're cleaning. To clean the gasket, or other tight spots, apply the paste to a toothbrush and gently scrub, getting into all the crevices. For tougher stains, you may need to apply stronger pressure, though be careful not to damage the gasket. Once the stains have loosened, wipe away the residue with a damp cloth.

To clean a large area with toothpaste, it's best to create a diluted solution that you can spray onto the surfaces. To make this solution, mix water with a generous squirt of toothpaste in a small bowl. Stir in a spoonful of baking soda. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto the dirty areas, then wipe away with a clean cloth. Using toothpaste as a cleaning agent is a quick and easy way to clean parts of your refrigerator – and leave it smelling fresh — with an item you already having sitting in your bathroom.