How to Clean the Refrigerator? Practical Tips

Refrigerator cleaning is of great importance in preserving healthy food. In order for food to be stored in the most hygienic environment, the inside of the refrigerator must also be cleaned. From time to time, stains are observed inside the refrigerator due to food spills or products such as wet vegetables. If these stains are not cleaned immediately, bad odors will begin to form in the cabinet. This situation spreads to all your foods, from olives to jam. You don’t want to encounter such a situation, right? Then, our article on refrigerator cleaning, prepared for you now, can be your hygiene guide in the kitchen. It is very easy to have a clean refrigerator with the materials you have at home after reading this article.

If you are wondering how to clean the inside of the refrigerator, here are the methods that give you spotless results!

Refrigerator Cleaning Steps

• Unplug the refrigerator
• Empty rotten materials
• Remove the shelves
• Reach the deepest corners
• Pre-clean with vinegar water
• Refresh yourself with carbonated water
• Final touch: Let it dry

1) Unplug the Cabinet

• Before you start cleaning the refrigerator, you should unplug it to avoid any possible danger. If cleaning is done without unplugging, water may enter the cables and this may pose a life-threatening risk.
• As soon as you unplug the refrigerator, the ice in the freezer begins to melt and the refrigerator will rest for a while. You must clean the melted ice immediately. Otherwise, a puddle will form and may overflow onto the floor.
• You should have the necessary materials ready with you to clean the unplugged refrigerator. This will make it easier for you.
• In this way, you can stop the electric current during cleaning and work more comfortably. Now you can move on to the second step.

2) Dump Rotten Materials

• It’s time to throw away rotten or nearly rotten items that emit bad odors in the refrigerator. As soon as food starts to rot, it creates an odor in the refrigerator. If it is not cleaned for a while, mold formation may occur.
• You can empty the rotten materials and other food and move on to the next stage of cleaning.

3) Remove the Shelves

• To clean every area of ​​the refrigerator, first remove the shelves on the intermediate floors.
• You can spray refrigerator cleaner detergent on the shelves on the counter and wait. If you do not use detergent, you can try hot water and the cleaning mixture we suggested next.
• After cleaning the upper and lower parts of the shelves thoroughly, let them dry and place them in the closet dry after cleaning.

4) Reach the Deepest Corners

• The most important part of refrigerator cleaning is that all surfaces are well cleaned. If there is mold or rot in one corner, it will affect the entire refrigerator.
• You can clean the smallest details of the shelves with a Q-tip. In some cases, black dust may have accumulated on the shelf tires.
• You should clean not only the interior surface but also the door part of the refrigerator. From time to time, fingerprints may appear on the refrigerator door. Do not forget to clean these traces.

5) Pre-Clean with Vinegar Water

• Now it’s time for antioxidant and effective mixtures. Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water in a bowl.
• Remove the mixture with a cloth or the soft part of a dish sponge.
• Apply this mixture to all surfaces, starting from the top of the refrigerator and moving towards the lower shelves.
• Vinegar will dissolve stains settled inside the cabinet. It will also allow the ice in the freezer to melt more easily. After cleaning the shelves, you can use the same mixture for the freezer section. We recommend that you also wipe the refrigerator door with this mixture.
• You can have a cleaner refrigerator by cleaning the bacteria that settle in the refrigerator from vegetables and fruits with a mixture of vinegar and water.
• After wiping the entire surface with vinegar water, wipe the cabinet one last time with a damp cloth. Then let it dry.
• You can continue to use the dried refrigerator.

6) Refresh with Carbonated Water

• Cleaning the refrigerator becomes easier with a mixture of baking soda and water. To try this method, dissolve a pack of baking soda in a glass of water.
  Take the resulting mixture with the help of a sponge and apply it to all surfaces of the refrigerator.
• You can prevent scratches on the refrigerator by using a soft cloth during cleaning.
• After letting the carbonated water sit on the refrigerator surface for about 5 minutes, clean the surfaces with a damp cloth.
• You can apply this method whenever you want and make your refrigerator look brighter and cleaner.
• Carbonated water can come to your aid when you do not want to use chemicals.

7) Final Touch!

• After using carbonated water or vinegar water to clean the refrigerator, let the refrigerator dry. If you start operating the refrigerator in a damp state, odor may occur later.
• Be careful to keep your food covered so that the refrigerator always remains hygienic.
• You should never leave rotten fruits or vegetables.
• To make the refrigerator smell fresher, you can place a spoon of dry coffee in small saucers on each shelf!

Things You Should Pay Attention to During Every Cleaning:

• When you want to clean the refrigerator, you must unplug it.
• When cleaning while plugged in, energy is wasted and the risk of spoilage of food exposed to temperature changes increases.
• At the end of cleaning, you can place coffee or vanilla in a bowl on the refrigerator shelves. Thanks to this method, the effect of cleaning will continue for days.
• It is recommended to wash storage containers frequently. The smell and taste of food left in a storage container for a long time will change. You must add freshness without accelerating decay.
• Instead of opening the refrigerator door frequently, you can get all your needs on the counter in a single opening. In this way, you will extend the life of the refrigerator.
• You should also remember that liquid materials must be placed in sealed containers.
• You can get effective results while cleaning the refrigerator thanks to these tips.