Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon of hot water: 1 cup clear ammonia, ½-cup vinegar and ¼-cup baking soda. Pour into a spray bottle, or use from a bowl with a sponge. This no-rinse formula is a degreaser that prevents mold and mildew. Wipe down the entire refrigerator with this solution, including the drawers and shelves.

To prevent grease and odour buildup on top of the refrigerator after you've cleaned it, just buff some paste wax nto the surface.

Use toothpaste to remove tough stains. It contains a gentle abrasive and has a pleasant odour.

To get those dust bunnies out from under the refrigerator, remove the grill and run a broomstick covered with a pair of pantyhose underneath. Also check the pan of water under the unit, since it can hold unpleasant-smelling water.

To combat household odours, fill a clean old sock with activated charcoal from an aquarium store, tie a knot in the top and place it in the back of the refrigerator. This will last a month or two, depending on the size of your refrigerator and how heavily you use it.

For a faster fix for odours, sprinkle vanilla extract on some cotton balls, place in a shallow dish and put in the refrigerator. Orange extract also works.

Eliminate lingering odours in your vegetable bins by putting a crumpled piece of a brown paper grocery bag inside and leaving it for 48 hours. The paper will absorb the odour.

Check for adequate tightness of the insulating seam around the door by placing a lighted torch inside the refrigerator and closing the door. Turn off the lights in the room (this should be done at night) and see if any light escapes from the seams. This will help you pinpoint any leaks.

If you don't keep your refrigerator full, fill a large bottle (at least a couple of litres) with water and leave it in the refrigerator. It helps keep the refrigerator cool and running efficiently.

The ideal temperature setting for the fridge is 3°C

The ideal temperature setting for freezers is -18°C to -20°C