Our Favorite Cleaning Secrets from the Pros

Just as people like to peek inside closets, they also open refrigerators—and Jill Sloane, executive vice president of Halstead Property's Westside Office in Manhattan, is amazed at how many clean homes have dirty fridges. Spills that have become thick and sticky, funky smells and food piled every which way are the biggest problems she sees. Before you put ketchup, mustard or jelly away, wipe off the rim and bottom. Every few days, do a sweep for food that's past its prime. And give the fridge itself a good scrub regularly: Empty the contents, store them in a cooler, turn off the power and let the shelves and drawers come to room temperature before you wash them, since glass and ceramic parts could crack if they come into contact with hot water when they are cold.
— Lynn Andriani