Wiping up spills right away prevents staining, but every few months it's worth washing the whole interior with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda per quart of warm water. Removable shelves and drawers can go in the same solution, though glass shelves should come to room temperature first so the warm water doesn't crack them.
Two Handy Hints: Deep-Cleaning a Fridge and Lifting Wine Stains

An odd smell in the kitchen with no obvious source is often coming from the refrigerator, a spot that rarely gets much attention. Here are two handy hints, one for the fridge and one for cleaning up after it.
Deep Clean the Refrigerator
Lift a Red Wine Stain
On delicate fabric, soaking the stain with denatured alcohol and then flushing the area with white vinegar removes most residual staining. On sturdier fabric, coating the stain with salt, letting it sit for five minutes, then carefully pouring boiling water over it from about a foot up works instead.
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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →