The refrigerator contains our food, and we open it many times during the day, continually touching what’s inside while we choose what to cook for dinner or what to eat in the middle of the afternoon. Being an appliance so used, it must be clean and functional.
It is generally recommended to clean the refrigerator thoroughly at least once a month. Even the top of the range refrigerators, equipped with various technologies, should be cleaned regularly.
Let’s see how we carefully clean the refrigerator, not neglecting disinfecting the freezer and eliminating bad odors.
Table of Contents
Where to start?
To clean the refrigerator thoroughly, the first thing to do is to unplug the power cord: in this way, any ice formation on the refrigerator walls and inside the freezer will begin to melt. Must empty the refrigerator and freezer before cleaning. In addition to food, all the removable components of the appliance, such as drawers and shelves, will be removed and washed separately.
Once the refrigerator has been emptied, it is decided which detergent to use: the most recommended solution is the solution based on water and vinegar. The dishes and metal parts of some household appliances are generally sanitized.
There are also specific detergents, most of them based on bleach. Or bicarbonate or lemon, also in solution with water, which has a lower degreasing power than vinegar but does not leave a persistent smell – for someone unpleasant – like the latter, can be used.
Internal cleaning of the refrigerator
Once the refrigerator has been emptied and the detergent has been prepared, you can start with the actual cleaning. So let’s see how to clean the refrigerator carefully, to obtain a deep and lasting cleaning.
Since we would have unplugged the power cord, it will be good at this stage to prepare tea towels or towels that collect the water that will drip from the refrigerator (the excess melted ice plus the water used for washing and rinsing).
So how do you clean the refrigerator? We will pass on all internal surfaces with a cloth soaked in water and vinegar, lemon, bicarbonate, or a specific detergent. It is essential to wash the corners of the refrigerator well, on which food residues can deposit, which will cause the formation of mold or bad will smell tomorrow.
If we are faced with particularly stubborn stains, we can proceed with a less diluted version of the product chosen for cleaning.
If we had opted for baking soda, it is good to keep in mind that this – if not very diluted – gives life to a grainy paste that could scratch delicate materials. If you have any doubts, a drop of bleach will be equally effective.
Don’t also forget to clean the gasket of the refrigerator and freezer door: to clean it, and the same procedure can be used for the internal walls of the refrigerator.
To make the gasket more efficient, you can pass it with olive oil or talcum powder, which will help the two sides of the gasket adhere better, avoiding the appliance’s waste of energy and malfunctions.
Watch out for the refrigerator!
When we decide to clean the refrigerator, an essential procedure is to defrost and clean the freezer. However, bad odors can arise even from the freezer, and one must also clean the freezer carefully.
As for the refrigerator, the freezer must also be completely emptied, of the food and all the removable parts, such as drawers and shelves.
To clean the freezer, you must first defrost it. You can choose to leave the entire refrigerator off overnight, wait for the ice to melt on its own, or use a special plastic spatula.
Should never use metal or sharp objects to clean and peel the walls of household appliances: this also applies to clean the refrigerator and freezer. Instead, one or two basins filled with warm water can be placed inside the cell to accelerate the ice’s natural melting.
Once defrosted properly, you can clean the freezer with the same method used for the refrigerator.
How to fight bad smells?
One of the problems that can lead us to want to clean our refrigerator is the persistence of bad smells, often released by food residues, spoiled food, or mold – which are created where ice plates form on the walls of the refrigerator.
To eliminate bad smells from the refrigerator, there are several methods: vinegar, lemon, and bicarbonate are highly sanitizing elements and allow to avoid the formation of unpleasant smells for some time.
If cleaning is not sufficient or bad smells occur frequently, you can equip yourself with natural deodorants. An excellent method is to place a small glass filled with baking soda inside the cold room.
Can do the same thing with a couple of lemon wedges, which should change approximately every week, or with a potato.
These products naturally absorb odors and will always allow us to have a fragrant refrigerator. However, if this does not fully satisfy us, there are specific deodorants on the market designed for the inside of the refrigerator.
It is good to know that most unpleasant odors do not come from inside the fridge but from the gaskets, which collect residual creases and dirt between their folds, so it is essential not to underestimate their cleaning change them at the moment appropriate.
Some advice for a perfect refrigerator
Remember – once you have seen how to clean the refrigerator – some tips to keep in mind:
- The removable parts should always be pulled out and cleaned (and dried) separately.
- Dry well to avoid stagnation and mold formation, especially in the upper wall of the fridge.
- Remember that a good smell is essential to talk about a clean refrigerator.
- Placing food in the refrigerator with the order allows you to keep it in excellent condition, both in terms of functionality and in terms of cleanliness.
- A good trick would be to put the vegetables in the refrigerator only after washing and drying them.
- Should pass the seals with water and vinegar or other detergents at least once a week.
Once we have made the refrigerator and freezer perfectly clean and fragrant, opening the doors to find our favorite ingredients will be much more pleasant. Seeing is believing.