With summer on its way, it is time to drag out the coolers and get them ready for backyard barbecues, picnics and days at the beach. But are you dreading opening your cooler because you are afraid of what you might find after a winter of storage? Here are some tips on how to clean your cooler.
It seems as through we are forever cleaning out our cooler. One of the reasons for this is that we use our cooler on a regular basis throughout the year. It is handy to have it to bring along drinks and snacks when we are out and about on errands, and we also use it to bring home frozen and refrigerated food on days when we can’t get home immediately after the store.
Regular cleaning of your cooler will go a long way to keeping it in shape, but sometimes stains and odors suddenly appear in your cooler, despite your efforts. And if something is accidentally left in the cooler, well, look out!
First start cleaning your cooler by immersing it in warm soapy water. Use a sponge to wash it, getting into all of the crevices. After washing, rinse and dry the cooler.
If you have any food stains in or on the cooler, make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to scrub the stains away. Baking soda will take most stains out of your cooler. If your cooler has any odors, try this trick. Moisten a paper towel with some vanilla extract. Make sure that it is real vanilla extract. Then wipe the inside of the cooler throughly. The combination of the vanilla and the alcohol that is in extract will do a great job of neutralizing and removing food odors. Leave the cooler open to allow air to circulate.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.
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