you really know
how to clean the refrigerator
This appliance is always on and, many times, its cleaning can be neglected. The Kitchen Guide has already given you all the information on how to buy a refrigerator, what should be kept on its shelves and also how to get rid of the bad smell, but what about maintenance? It’s not worth cleaning just when you smell funny, ideally your fridge should need to be cleaned
monthly
! Next, check out everything you need to know for the cleanse to be effective:
Find out step by step how to clean the refrigerator
1. Organize your workspace
If the sink is full of dishes or the drying rack shows dish after dish, organize that first. To help, it’s also worth freeing up space on your kitchen countertops, after all you can’t organize anything in the middle of a mess!
2. Get everything out of the fridge!
When we say “everything” is
ANYTHING!
From lunchboxes to veggies in your drawer and even on your fridge shelves. This way, you can clean everything without the fuss or the need to juggle. Sure, this step is lazy, but we guarantee: it will save you tons of time! Before this step, it is important
unplug the refrigerator
to save money and make the defrosting process easier. Start by removing things from the freezer and storing them in Styrofoam boxes or thermal bags with ice to avoid waste.
Getting everything out of the fridge helps the cleaning process | Photo: Shutterstock
3. Sectorization helps – and a lot!
When you take things out of the fridge, remember to do it
sectorize
. After all, not everything in your refrigerator will stay in it after you clean it. There’s always that forgotten package at the bottom of the shelf, that sauce left over from the last pasta or an old bag of ketchup and now is the time to discard them! It’s also worth checking what’s out of date or even which packages need one
own cleaning.
So, think that everything will happen simultaneously: while the refrigerator is defrosting, you are already removing things from the shelves and cleaning or discarding everything that is needed!
4. Cleaning shelves and removable parts
Incredible as it may seem, the moment of cleaning itself is the simplest of the whole process. Start with the shelves and other refrigerator accessories, washing them in the
sink with neutral soap and the soft part of a sponge
dishwasher. After soaping, dry everything with a clean cloth to avoid stains. If your fridge has glass shelves, you have to pay close attention to scratches and, to complete the cleaning, after washing with neutral soap, use a glass cleaner to ensure its shine!
Shelf cleaning is a crucial part of the process | Photo: Shutterstock
5. How to clean the inside of the refrigerator?
Inside, a sponge and a little neutral detergent is enough for good cleaning. In the most critical cases, a little
hot water
It will be the solution to all your problems! In order not to create more confusion in the process,
put a cloth on the floor
to contain any water and product residues. However, whenever you sponge down an area or “wall” of the fridge, wipe it down
slightly damp cloth
to prevent cleaning products from running out. When finished, dry everything with a dry, clean cloth.
6. And how to clean the freezer?
Since the beginning of this walkthrough, the freezer is already going through the defrosting process! Therefore, it is interesting to leave the freezer until last – there will be time for defrosting to occur naturally. In this area, follow
the same cleaning instructions used inside
from the fridge. Here, it pays to double the focus on expiration dates!
Even cleaning the freezer is easy | Photo: Shutterstock
7. Oh, and don’t forget the outside of the fridge!
The back of the fridge is easily overlooked! But, even if we don’t see it, the dirt still exists and continues to accumulate there. Also, the accumulation of dust
directly affects the correct functioning
of your appliance, because it is this mechanism that allows the refrigerator to cool down. No water or sponge, one is enough to clean the fridge grill
Mop
or vacuum cleaner! And, remember, only after this step can the refrigerator be turned on again.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
