Keeping your refrigerator clean will prevent the accumulation of microorganisms that alter your food.
Cleaning your refrigerator once or twice a month is recommended not only to discard food that no longer serves and avoid bad smells. Also to eliminate residues that could get stuck and generate bacteria that damage your food. Learn how to do it fast and easy.
7 steps to keep your refrigerator clean
Regardless of whether it is a large or small refrigerator, this is what you have to do:
- Unplug the refrigerator
The first step to do a proper cleaning is to disconnect the appliance from the mains. In this way we will not only save energy, we will also be able to work more comfortably without the beep of the door reminding us that we have left it open.
- Take out the food
When the refrigerator is turned off, the next step is to empty the refrigerator of food. The ideal is to keep them in isothermal bags or in a cool place so that they do not deteriorate during the whole process. Before starting to clean, we must make sure that there are no ice sheets. If there are, it is advisable to wait for them to thaw. Most of the best refrigerators under 30000 Rs. are frost-free, so the chances of ice build up are minimal.
- Remove removable parts
Egg cups, drawers, trays and other removable parts can be washed outside, either with soap or by putting them in the dishwasher. This way we can clean them better and avoid leaving traces of chemicals in the refrigerator.
- Clean with soap and water
While the removable parts dry, we can start cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap. However, this does not kill the bacteria. This first step only serves to remove surface dirt such as stains or incrustations.
- Disinfect with vinegar
Chemical solutions are needed to disinfect and kill microorganisms. Vinegar is usually used because due to its acidity it is a natural disinfectant that does not leave synthetic residues. If you prefer, there are also specific products to decontaminate the device. It is very important not to forget to clean and disinfect the door rubbers: it is where fungi mostly accumulate.
- Let it dry
Once clean, we will leave the refrigerator door open to let the humidity go. If we want to speed up the process we can pass dry paper over it.
- The exterior door matters too
Although it may not seem like it, the outside of the refrigerator is one of the parts that we should clean more frequently. Especially the opening handles, where more contamination is concentrated. Normally when we are cooking and handling food is when we open the refrigerator door without first washing our hands. Standard cleaning products can be used here, as long as they are non-oxidizable materials.
Although it is recommended to do a thorough cleaning every three or four months, there are also ways to prevent both the accumulation of microorganisms and the bad odor they cause. One of them is as simple as cleaning up the spill of any product, be it a drop of milk or a little jam. Another key is to externally clean the glass containers or tuppers before putting them in the fridge.
Natural tips to eliminate bad odors
In addition to the wide variety of products to clean the refrigerator that you find in the supermarket, you can use natural ingredients whose combined action is perfect to eliminate bad odors from this so necessary item at home.
Baking soda with warm water
Cleaning the refrigerator with baking soda will help to remove sticky debris more easily and neutralize unpleasant odors.
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 500 ml of warm water in a bowl. With a clean sponge, absorb the liquid and rub it all over the inside walls of the fridge, paying special attention to stains. Leave on for 5 minutes and remove with an absorbent cloth.
Citrus baking soda
To eliminate the odors from your fridge you can also cut a lemon or orange in half, fill the surface of the split fruit with bicarbonate and insert some cloves. Leave this preparation in a corner of your refrigerator.
Another option with the same ingredients is: remove the pulp from the remaining half of the citrus and keep only the peel, add a tablespoon of bicarbonate (or, failing that, salt) and also leave it in a small space on the appliance.
Baking soda with ground coffee
Don’t waste coffee leftovers after you’ve brewed it in your coffee maker. Use it so that your refrigerator does not smell bad. Stir these scraps with a teaspoon of baking soda in a small container and store in the refrigerator.
Degrease and disinfect with white vinegar
Vinegar is another way to clean the refrigerator when it has traces of grease. Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray after you have done steps 6 and 7 above. Leave on for 5 minutes and clean with an absorbent cloth.
Remember to clean the refrigerator at least once a month and frequently change the natural ingredients that we suggest to deodorize it. Everything you need you will find it online.
