When you’ve just done grocery shopping and realise the fridge is a mess, go for a fast, focused clean instead of a full-day project. First, unplug or switch off the fridge if you’ll keep the door open for a while. Take out only what’s necessary: expired items, obvious spills, and things you know you won’t eat. Toss them immediately.
Next, remove two or three main shelves and drawers, not every single piece. Wash those quickly in the sink with warm water and a drop of dish soap. While they dry, wipe the inside walls and remaining shelves with a soft cloth dipped in a mild cleaning solution or a bit of vinegar mixed with water. Focus on sticky spots, door shelves and corners.
Dry everything with a towel, put the shelves back, then organise food as you restock – dairy together, sauces in one section, vegetables into drawers, leftovers in clear containers. You don’t have to scrub every inch for it to feel significantly fresher. A 20–30 minute “reset” like this is good enough for regular life, and you can save the full deep clean for another day.