How to Clean a Refrigerator? 3 Easy Fridge Cleaners and Hacks
Cleaning a fridge is something which should be done regularly. The shelves of this device have contact with food – make sure to store it hygienically. Are you wondering how to clean your refrigerator and how frequently it should be done? We have some cleaning hacks for you. They are not only safe, but also highly effective.
Why is it so important to clean the fridge regularly?
Although most people aren’t fans of cleaning a refrigerator, it’s something that should be done frequently. Tidy shelves and lack of harmful bacteria means you care for yours and your family’s health. Food particles or even barely noticeable crumbles make a great environment for microbes. A moment of distraction and they land in your food.
Another reason for the importance of cleaning the refrigerator is that certain foods stored in the fridge release various juices. Even if they dry on their own, they leave an unpleasant smell. That’s why wiping the device’s shelves and walls won’t hurt. It will surely make peeking in the fridge a much more pleasant experience.
Cleaning the inside of the fridge – recommended accessories
To make the whole effort of cleaning the fridge effective, make sure you are using the right products, but also suitable accessories. The inside of the fridge typically consists of plastic and glass. You can use classic tools, e.g., dish washing sponges – remembering to be extra careful. It’s also important to wipe the fridge dry after cleaning.
Don’t use sharp objects inside the device. Even if ice has formed on the walls, you mustn’t use e.g., a knife. The machine contains chlorofluorocarbon which is used for cooling. Even small damage to the side walls might lead to its release, leaving the device useless.
How to clean the outside of the fridge?
As for cleaning the outside of the refrigerator, we also recommend caution. Use only microfiber cloths or paper towels. Even the smallest abrasive element on a sponge might scratch the surface. Any moisture near the scratch might cause the coating to come off or the surface below to rust.
How to clean the refrigerator step by step?
Cleaning the fridge is not a complicated issue, but nonetheless it’s good to get prepared beforehand. How to clean the fridge correctly and safely?
- Unplug the device.
- Take all the products out.
- If possible, disassemble all shelves.
- Carefully clean the inside of the fridge and wipe it dry.
- Wash the shelves and baskets, wipe them dry and put back in the fridge.
- Wipe the products’ containers and put them in the fridge along with the rest of the food.
- Plug the device back in.
Do you need detergents to clean a refrigerator?
Many people think that it’s not possible to clean a fridge without store-bought products – especially if you’re dealing with dry stains or an unpleasant smell. As it turns out, it’s not entirely true.
Homemade refrigerator cleaners are often even more effective than many products available on the market. What’s more, they are eco-friendly and don’t induce allergies.
How to clean a refrigerator with vinegar?
Cleaning a fridge using water and vinegar is one of the most popular methods. It’s been known for generations. Vinegar works perfectly on stubborn dirt, plus it eliminates any bacteria and removes unpleasant smells. It’s great for cleaning a washing machine, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator.
Preparing a homemade fridge cleaner is very simple. Just mix water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Dip a cloth in the mixture and clean all the dirty surfaces. As a last step, wipe the fridge dry.
Cleaning a refrigerator using water and lemons
Water with lemon juice is a popular microwave oven cleaner. But apparently, it works fantastically for fridges as well. Simply add juice from one lemon to a bowl of water. Clean the fridge exactly as when using the other methods. Take everything out, wash the inside thoroughly, wipe it dry and put everything back in.
This method is also great when you want to just freshen up a not very dirty refrigerator.
How to clean a fridge with baking soda?
Baking soda is one of the absolute essentials everyone should have at home. Thanks to it, you can clean e.g., an oven or an iron. Some people use baking soda for polishing and cleaning silver items. As it turns out, it’s also a perfect product for cleaning a dirty refrigerator.
Just one tablespoon dissolved in a bowl of tepid water is enough to deep clean the device. Thanks to this, you can remove dirt and bacteria, and neutralize unpleasant smells.
📍 How to clean a new fridge?
Cleaning a new refrigerator before using it for the first time is very important. Thanks to this, you remove the characteristic "plastic" smell. You can use one of the home remedies (vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice). Remember to wipe the fridge dry before plugging it in.
📍 What to use for cleaning a refrigerator?
You can use specially designed fridge cleaners. But if you are an allergy sufferer or a fan of natural remedies, water with baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice is a much better option. Such home remedies remove dirt and bacteria, along with the unpleasant smell.
📍 How to clean fridge coils?
Use a small brush to clean condenser coils in your fridge. This way, you can remove excessive dirt and improve the efficiency of the device. Repeat this at least a few times per year.
📍 How to clean a fridge without defrosting?
Defrosting a fridge is not obligatory for cleaning, provided that you don't want to clean the freezer. Simply unplug the device, clean it quickly and wipe the surfaces dry. The entire process won't take you more than 30-40 minutes.
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