How to Clean a Refrigerator
The refrigerator is used for preserving all sorts of food and produce. The problem is, when their scents blend, a nasty odor is created. It remains inside the refrigerator, even when the stored food is taken out. In addition, spilled meals create hard-to-remove stains on the walls and storage surfaces. Combine all those factors and you’ll get a cleaner’s nightmare. Good thing cleaning the fridge isn’t much of a problem if you have a good cleaning solution.
Prepare a Cleaning Solution
When making a cleaning solution for the fridge, it should act as both a stain remRinseover and a deodorizer. A harsh active ingredient should be used, especially if molds appear on some of the stored food. An ideal solution is a mixture of baking soda, water and a little bleach. Bleach and baking soda’s properties are potent for the job at hand.
Take Out the Food, Shelves, and Drawers
Remove everything stored inside the refrigerator, including the shelves, surfaces, and drawers. Set the food far from the cleaning area, keeping them safe from dirt, grime, and the cleaning solution. Throw away all the moldy and expired items.
Scrub the Fridge’s Walls
With all the contents removed, soak a piece of cloth in the cleaning solution and scrub the walls. Use a toothbrush, soaked in the solution, for hard-to-reach areas. Continue scrubbing until the odor and stains have been removed. Rinse the interior with soap and warm water then dry. Give special attention to the freezer since raw meat and fish emit pretty nasty smells.
Place the Trays, Shelves, and Drawers in Hot Water then Clean
ref cleaningThe constant immersion in hot water kills germs and removes odor. Before soaking the trays, shelves, and drawers, wait for their temperatures to warm up a bit. The sudden mixture of hot and cold might break the surfaces of the compartments. Wipe the compartments dry then apply a cloth dipped in the cleaning solution. Scrub and rinse them carefully to make sure no dirt remains on the surfaces.
Clean the Drip Pan
The drip pan is one of the sources of foul refrigerator odor, since it catches water droplets coming from the freezer. Drain the drip pan then soak it in hot water. Once done, dry it with a clean cloth. Pour cleaning solution inside the pan. Add baking soda if the smell is quite terrible. Scrub the pan with a cloth then rinse. Wipe it dry, before returning it inside the refrigerator.
Wash the Refrigerator’s Exterior
Wash the exterior with soap and warm water. If there are stains, apply the cleaning solution. Rinse off the soap then dry. With the exterior clean, return everything inside the fridge. Clean the jars and containers that have stains before returning.
The entire cleaning process is tedious and time consuming, but don’t fret. Given the cleaning solution’s efficacy, you won’t need to totally clean the fridge in next several months.