A clean, fragrant, and organized refrigerator interior is every homeowner's dream. Unfortunately, we are often so busy that our refrigerator frequently becomes a home for leftovers that are no longer fresh. An unpleasant odor arises, shelves are covered with dried stains from spilled food remnants. So, how to comprehensively clean the refrigerator inside so that it looks and smells like new?
Thorough Cleaning of the Refrigerator Step by Step
How should you properly clean the refrigerator? It's worth looking at the recommendations from manufacturers found in the user manual of your refrigerator model and checking if there are any special guidelines. The basic cleaning process of the refrigerator looks as follows:
-
Begin cleaning the refrigerator by unplugging it.
-
Remove all contents of the refrigerator, all food products. At this point, it’s worth sorting and disposing of expired or spoiled products and rotting vegetables to eliminate unpleasant odors.
-
Remove all movable elements, such as all shelves and drawers, and leave the doors open.
-
Soak all drawers, shelves, and containers for a while in warm water with dishwashing liquid, then wipe them down. Rinse abundantly with water and dry with paper towels.
-
Clean the interior of the refrigerator with a damp cloth soaked in the prepared cleaning solution. Remember to clean all nooks and crannies, as this will help eliminate unpleasant odors. Wipe with warm water and then dry with a cloth.
-
Cleaning the refrigerator also includes the external elements and the very important rubber seal on the doors, as dirt can collect inside it, leading to unpleasant odors.
-
Next, the refrigerator should be left open for at least half an hour to dry thoroughly.
-
Finally, place the dried items back inside the refrigerator. It is best to clean the refrigerator regularly, wiping it down with lukewarm water once a week to remove the accumulated dirt.
-
Follow the same procedure with the freezer. Modern freezers are frost-free, so cleaning them no longer poses a significant problem.
-
It's also important to ensure that all items placed in the refrigerator are stored in containers, covered with a lid or wrapped in plastic wrap. This will help keep the refrigerator clean for a significantly longer time.
What Cleaning Products to Use to Thoroughly Clean the Refrigerator?
There are many interesting products available on the market that can be used to clean the refrigerator. Eco-friendly products seem to be a much better solution. Why? They do not pose a threat to food products like those containing strong chemical compounds. However, all eco-friendly products tend to be significantly more expensive, which not everyone can afford. So, what to do in this situation? What should be used to clean the refrigerator?
The optimal solution in this situation is to prepare your own eco-friendly cleaning solution with ingredients that most of us always have at home. The most popular mixture is a combination of water and baking soda or water with vinegar. The recipe is incredibly simple. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda or 3 tablespoons of vinegar in one liter of warm water. You can also prepare cleaning agents based on citric acid or alcohol. Home cleaning methods for the refrigerator always work everywhere. They are very safe for our health and our food products. Moreover, they wonderfully eliminate unpleasant odors in the refrigerator.
How to Care for the Refrigerator on a Daily Basis?
There are a few basic rules that will allow us to enjoy our fresh, clean, and efficient refrigerator for a longer time:
-
At least once a week, check the expiration dates of the products in the refrigerator. Examine fruits and vegetables carefully, as they spoil the fastest. If there are stains, remember to clean the refrigerator.
-
Ensure the ventilation channels are clear, as circulation is crucial for maintaining the right microclimate in the refrigerator. Therefore, try not to lean products against the walls of the refrigerator.
-
Keep the drain for condensation clean; it must remain unobstructed for the refrigerator to function properly. Therefore, regularly check if food residues have clogged the drain.
-
Regularly replace the water filter if your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker along with a water dispenser.
Make sure to regularly clean the refrigerator so it can serve you for many years.