Display fridges, under-counter units and walk-in cold rooms work around the clock to keep food safe. They also collect spills, mould and odours, and dirty condensers make them work harder and cost more to run. A simple routine keeps them clean and efficient.
Daily
- Wipe up spills as they happen, especially from raw meat, dairy and sauces.
- Check and record temperatures.
- Make sure food is covered, labelled and dated.
- Wipe door handles and seals.
Weekly deep clean
- Move stock to another fridge or cool box. Work shelf by shelf if you can't empty the whole unit.
- Remove shelves and wash them in hot water with detergent, then rinse.
- Wipe walls, floors and corners inside the unit.
- Sanitise all food-contact surfaces with a food-safe sanitiser such as Steri-Kleen, following the label.
- Clean the door seals carefully. Mould often hides in the folds.
- Dry and restock, rotating stock so the oldest is used first.
Cold room floors
Walk-in floors collect spills and dirt from shoes and trolleys. Mop with a food-safe floor cleaner such as Hygenie Capricide Extra sachets, which make dosing simple, and make sure the floor dries quickly to avoid ice and slips.
Monthly: the bits people forget
- Condenser coils: dust and grease on the coils make the unit work harder. Switch off and brush or vacuum them gently, or ask your refrigeration technician to include it in a service.
- Drain lines and drip trays: clean them to prevent smells and leaks.
- Door closers and curtains: check they close properly.
Use dedicated cloths
Keep a set of cloths, such as hard-wearing Workhorse Cloths, used only for fridges and cold rooms, and wash them hot after each use.
Stock up
Steri-Kleen, Hygenie Capricide Extra sachets and Workhorse Cloths are available from maxproducts.co.za.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Visit maxproducts.co.za →
Steri-Kleen
Hygenie Capricide Extra 30g Sachets
Workhorse Cloths
