How to clean your refrigerator in minutes
You can't clean a fridge full of food! Proper cleaning of your refrigerator therefore starts with checking everything inside. Completely empty the fridge shelves and check for expired or badly stored food. While you take care of this delicate operation, you can take advantage of it to defrost the fridge: in this way you will save time and electricity and your fridge will last longer. You may have never thought about it but a small layer of only 4mm of ice doubles the electricity consumption! Finally, always keep an eye on the temperature.
When you cleaned the fridge and eliminated the spoiled food, did you have an empty fridge left and now you don't know what to cook? Don't worry, here are some great ideas!
How to clean the inside of the fridge and the shelves
Eliminate all expired foods, products that have been open for too long and the remains of forgotten dishes. Empty the fridge and start defrosting it by cutting off the electricity. When you empty the fridge, remove the glass fillings and all the removable internal parts. Soak them in warm water in which you have chosen a little dish detergent for at least 20 minutes. Rub them with a soft cloth and then dry them very carefully. Internal parts, components and shelves, waiting to be able to put them back in the refrigerator, must be stored carefully to prevent them from breaking. Alternatively, remember that you can also wash these components in the dishwasher: hot water will ensure a deeper and more lasting cleaning.
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Defrost: it takes delicacy
By disconnecting the electricity, in a short time, the pieces of ice will come off. Never use blades or scrapers to clean the inside of the fridge, you could irreparably damage the coating and scratch the surface of your fridge. You don't need to be in a hurry: if you want to speed up the operation, you can use the heat of a hairdryer to melt the ice more quickly.
Cleaning the fridge: which products to use
To clean the inside of the fridge you can use different products, both detergents and natural remedies. A very effective product for the fridge is dish detergent. If you are a lover of natural remedies, focus on vinegar instead. It has an excellent degreasing power and perfectly eliminates all odors, it also kills bacteria and makes the internal surfaces of the fridge shiny and clean! It is no coincidence that grandmothers always recommended using vinegar to clean the fridge! Lemon is also a good natural disinfectant suitable for sanitizing the walls of the fridge and also to perfume the inside. In case of mold, bicarbonate can instead come to your aid: a solution of water and bicarbonate removes mold and prevents it from forming. Remember that you can prepare a solution of water, vinegar and lemon juice and put it in a spray bottle: cleaning the fridge will be even easier and faster.
Discover also all the other ways to clean your home with natural and cheap remedies!
Completely empty the refrigerator and check for expired food. As you do this, take the opportunity to defrost the fridge: you will save time and electricity, and your fridge will last longer. Did you know that a layer of only 4mm of ice doubles the electricity consumption of your fridge?
The most hidden corners
For a clean and shiny fridge, without bad smells, you need to carefully clean every corner of this appliance. Without neglecting even the joints and inaccessible corners: for these more difficult to reach areas it can be very useful to use a toothbrush soaked in warm water in which you have dissolved a few drops of dish soap or baking soda. Scrub hard and then rinse thoroughly until every corner is completely clean.
The outside of the refrigerator: how to do it
To clean the outside of the fridge in general, you just need to use a little soap and hot water, however some refrigerators require special care and products: in order not to make a mistake, read the instruction booklet for the use of your fridge. For example, if you have a fridge with a stainless steel exterior, denatured alcohol will make it shine! When you have finished cleaning the outside of the fridge, do not forget to dry all surfaces with a soft cloth to avoid the formation of conspicuous halos.
How often to clean the fridge
Do not wait for the food to become moldy to take action! The bacteria (responsible for salmonella and listeriosis) proliferate very quickly and the food is in constant contact with the walls of the refrigerator. You have to clean the fridge at least once a month, even better every 15 days.
Get rid of the bad smell
To keep bad smells away from your fridge, you can hide a peeled potato or a few slices of lemon on some shelf or in one of the drawers. They are able to capture odors and keep your fridge super fragrant. But don't forget to replace them at least every 4 or 5 days!
The freezer: how to clean it
The freezer also needs to be cleaned: obviously if you decide to defrost it you will not be able to freeze again what you defrost. A cooler bag can come to your aid (in case you don't have a second freezer). As soon as the ice comes off and the freezer is defrosted, clean the walls of the freezer the same products you used for the fridge (dish soap, lemon, vinegar or baking soda) and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent molds can form. When you've finished cleaning, turn on the freezer and set the desired temperature.
See how easy it was to clean the fridge?
