Every house’s refrigerator can become the abode of all kinds of stains, spills, and crumbs, so it can get dirty very quickly. And for most of us, cleaning a refrigerator seems to be a daunting task, but that always shouldn’t be the case. You only require a few things to clean your fridge and regular cleanings will help your appliance be in great condition and odor-free.
Here’s all you need to know about how to clean a fridge.
How to clean your refrigerator
Often refrigerator cleaning will save you effort to deep clean it as often, and make sure that it looks as good as the new one. To clean your fridge, all you need is a few microfiber cloths, a spray bottle, and some dish soap. A broom or a hand vac may come in handy.
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Take all the stuff out
It all starts with taking everything out of your fridge. This is to make sure that you won’t need to clean bottles and jars inside it. Also, throw away any expired food or drinks.
2. Get rid of crumbs
A refrigerator can have a collection of food debris and dust. Clean those surfaces using a microfiber cloth to wipe away any crumbs or dust onto the floor.
3. Prepare your cleaning mixture
The next step is to make your fridge-cleaning mixture by adding a drop of dishwashing to a spray bottle with some warm water. Gently shake the bottle to combine the mixture and then spray it across the fridge’s interior.
You could also use an all-purpose cleaner instead of the dish-soap-and-water mixture.
4. Wipe down the fridge
After spraying, use a microfiber towel to clean the solution from the fridge’s interior like the shelving, walls, and bins. Clean from top to bottom.
If there are some stubborn stains, spray them a few more times with the cleaning solution that helps them dissolve, then wipe them away and see the magic.
Also, Read Green Cleaning: 7 Easy Steps to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices
5. Finish Up
After the cleaning, if the interior of the fridge still looks a bit damp, dry it with another clean microfiber cloth. Once all is dry and clean, put your food back in the fridge. Then, vacuum or sweep any good crumbs or dust that have ended up on the floor during your refrigerator cleaning.
How to deep clean your refrigerator
For a deep refrigerator cleaning, you will need some microfiber cloths, dishwashing soap, a spray bottle, and a small brush, and a dustpan. Other items like paper towels and stainless steel cleaner may also be required.
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Empty your refrigerator
Get every item out of your fridge, including removable bins and drawers. If you haven’t cleaned your fridge in a while and it may need a longer-than-normal deep clean, keep your displaced food in coolers.
2. Brush out dust and crumbs
Using a microfiber cloth, brush off any dirt, dust, or crumbs in front of your fridge, and then collect them using a broom and a dustpan. Then, shake your bins and drawers gently upside down to get the trash and fruit and veggie debris out.
3. Make a sprayable cleaning solution
Create a cleaning solution using a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle full of warm water. Spray this solution all over the fridge interior and spray it on any removable bins and drawers too.
4. Wipe away the cleaning solution
After that, wipe away the cleaning solution with another clean microfiber towel. Work in circular motions the large back-and-forth ones, to avoid streaking the glass. If the soap residue doesn’t go away easily, rinse the interior with a clean, damp microfiber cloth.
5. Spot treat stains
Even after the cleaning if the stains remain, spray a folded paper towel with the cleaning solution that you prepared and place it on top of the stain for almost 15 minutes. That will thoroughly soak the stain. It will be easily wiped away after that.
6. Clean the gaskets
Now that the interiors are nice and clean, move on to the details. Start by cleaning your refrigerator’s gasket which is the seal that sits around the door. Spray a cloth with the same cleaning solution and rub the cloth up and down the gasket. That should work just fine. If you see any mold, spray the gasket with a bleach spray and clean it.
7. Clean the exterior
It’s time to clean the outside too. If your fridge has a stainless steel exterior, use the stainless steel cleaner of your preference to make it shine. But read the instructions carefully before using it as stainless steel can easily streak. But, if the fridge is made up of other exterior material, simply use the soap and water solution that you made and spray it all over then wipe it away, from top to bottom.
8. Finish by deodorizing
Once the fridge’s interior and exterior are clean, reinstall all the bins and drawers you removed and also the food. The last thing to do is to take a small container of baking soda on your fridge’s shelf as it prevents odors in the days to come. That is the final part of your deep refrigerator cleaning.
How to remove odor from the fridge
There are a few ways to keep the odor out of your fridge. One of the most popular and useful methods is to place a box of baking soda inside the fridge as it will absorb any foul smell. You can also use a charcoal odor absorber from any store.
Another useful tip is to use coffee grounds to keep the smell away. Just let the used coffee grounds dry out and keep them in an open container in the fridge. Keep in mind that these tips do not work for a long time so once the fridge starts smelling, it is your time to change the deodorizer.
How to maintain a clean refrigerator
- Clean any spills as soon as you see them to prevent them from turning into a sticky and stubborn mess later on.
- Check the expiry dates because spoiled foods can leak and smell bad which will dirty your fridge faster than you think.
- If the shelves are dirtier than other parts, take the things out, and quickly clean them with soap and water. This short cleaning will prevent you from needing to clean the whole fridge while preventing build-ups.
FAQs
Q: Should I leave my fridge open after cleaning?
A: If you sanitize, leave the fridge door open for 10 minutes or so to let the fumes dissipate before you put your food back in and shut the door.
Q: Do I need to clean the interior of my new fridge?
A: Yes, it’s recommended to clean a new fridge before use to remove any dust, residues, or odors from the manufacturing and shipping process. What is the best product to clean a refrigerator with? The best product is a mild detergent or a mixture of baking soda and water.
Q: What happens if you don’t clean your fridge?
A: If a fridge is dirty or food is left in the fridge too long, germs can multiply to dangerous levels and potentially make you ill. There have been many cases of dirty fridges causing serious illnesses such as Norovirus or Shigella.
Q: How to clean my fridge naturally?
A: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe out all crumbs and bits from the interior. Make a paste of equal parts baking soda and white vinegar. Apply the paste to any stains (if you have them) and allow it to sit for up to five minutes. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the stain.
Q: Why is my refrigerator not cooling after cleaning?
A: There are several causes for a refrigerator that doesn’t cool, including dirty condenser coils, poor ventilation, improper installation, faulty or dirty gasket seals, unorganized food storage, appliance location, and malfunctioning internal parts.
Q: What to avoid while cleaning a fridge?
A: With their chilled and sometimes damp environment, refrigerators can be susceptible to mold. To eliminate mold inside your fridge, avoid abrasive or bleach-based cleaners.
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