Protect your kitchen from listeriosis with these #LifeHacksByKeri

Listeriosis is the buzzword this week, so it’s only fitting that today’s lifehack looks at keeping your fridge clean.

But there are several other ways to keep your fridge clean that don’t involve bleach.

INFOGRAPHIC: The latest on food-borne disease, Listeriosis

Cleanipedia says: 'Disinfectants—like bleach—should never be used inside refrigerators,” … “As with other kitchen cleaning products, any disinfectant that comes into contact with food could make people ill because of the strong chemicals they contain. Stick to specially formulated products that are safe to use inside a fridge, or opt for natural cleaners instead.”

Here's what you'll need:

• Vinegar
• Warm water 
• Cling wrap
  
• Bicarbonate of soda (to keep the vinegar smell away)
  

What you need to do:

Take all your food out of the fridge. Any affected food needs to be destroyed, so please make sure it is very carefully thrown away, and away from any animals that could get into your bin.

Mix one part vinegar with three parts warm water. For the inside of a fridge, you can put this solution into a spray bottle and spray. Then wipe clean after about 10 minutes. 

Remove the shelves and clean them with the vinegar mix, and if you have bicarb, add some to the mix. It is a great cleaner and helps with the vinegar smell. Once clean and dry, wrap your shelves with cling wrap, which makes future cleaning a breeze.

How do you know which vinegar to use?

White vinegar is the most acidic, which can make it a potent cleaner, but it can also make it too strong for some cleaning. All you need to do is dilute it with water or go with something that is a bit milder, like apple cider vinegar.

What is vinegar exactly?

Have you ever tasted wine that's gone off? Okay, if you haven’t, don't. It’s gross. In fact, it tastes very similar to the vinegar in your cupboard.

There are times when you want to stay away from vinegar.

Concentrated vinegar can stain delicate fabrics. Also using it on granite or marble can scratch it. Even though many of us use vinegar as a disinfectant, I have to say it isn’t 'approved' for this purpose because there isn’t enough evidence yet that vinegar can get rid of some of the most harmful pathogens.

If the smell of vinegar is something you just can't stand, I've got another solution for you.

I hope that these hacks will help you and your family with some ammunition against the dreadful outbreak of listeriosis.

Read - Listeriosis outbreak: All your important questions answered