How often do you clean your fridge? Most would probably say that it only happens when there is a spill, food gone bad or a similar problem. Frequency, however, needs to be reconsidered if you want to prolong the life of the appliance.
Neglecting to clean and organise the internal parts of the refrigerator for months, sometimes even a year, is the main reason for that bad odour that doesn't seem to fade. In addition, this becomes a beneficial environment for the formation of food mould, some types of which could be health threatening. You can avoid all complications by scheduling a thorough fridge cleaning every 3-4 months either with the
help of a certified cleaner or by doing it yourself.
But how to tackle this task promptly and efficiently?
Preparations:
1.
Unplugging the appliance - That would be job one. Never forget to do it or a damage could appear and you would be putting your safety at risk.
2.
Take everything out - Removing all will make the cleaning a lot easier and will give you a chance to check the expiration date on the products. Often times, we push items to the far back of the fridge and they remain forgotten there. Now is the ideal time to get rid of the unnecessary and stop bacteria from spreading to the good food.
3.
Frozen food goes in trays- This may seem obvious but it is possible to miss it when in a rush. While emptying the freezer, just make sure you have enough trays on hand to prevent the formation of water puddles all over the place.
4.
Take out all removable parts - No, this doesn’t mean taking the whole fridge apart piece by piece. This applies only to shelves, crisper drawer and the likes. Give them a good washing with hot water and soap, and rinse well. Then leave them to dry while you take care of the rest of the cleaning.
5.
Place a cloth beneath the fridge’s door - Keeping the door open while defrosting could result in water leaking to the floor and accessing cables. Prevent the liquid from reaching dangerous or hard-to-clean places by putting a towel or a fast-absorbing material under the door.
Defrosting and cleaning
When a freezer hasn’t been defrosted for awhile, a lot of ice could accumulate. Just opening it and seeing all that ice inside is enough to discourage you from the whole fridge cleaning. After all, waiting an entire day for the ice to melt can be a dread.
How can you speed up the defrosting process?
Hot water
You will need a bowl or a similar type of container for the task. Size could be an issue with smaller freezers, so it is important to pick an item that will fit for sure before adding the water. Once you place the container inside, close the door and remember to check on it every 10-15 min to see if the water needs to be changed.
Warning: Using a spatula for scraping the ice while soft and melting is not a good idea. You risk getting ice in the eye due to the applied force and the confined space.
Salt
Sprinkling
salt on icy roads is a common practice during the cold months. So, why not test it with the fridge? The simplest way to do it is to wet your hand, let the salt stick to it and then rub it onto the ice. Try to do it fast, so your hand doesn’t get numb from the cold. You can do this 2-3 times or more depending on the size of the ice. Using a rubber glove is also possible, although it won't do much of a difference regarding the cold. Remember to apply the salt only on the ice and not on the freezer's walls.
Vinegar
A solution of vinegar and hot water is the perfect combination for both getting rid of the ice and for disinfecting the inner walls of the refrigerator. It can be sprayed directly on the ice or it can be applied with the help of a sponge. As an acid, the vinegar will practically "eat up" the ice and cut the defrosting time short. Keep in mind, though, that this doesn't happen instantly. The mixture still needs to be applied at least several times so the acid has time to work. Vinegar is the eco-friendly alternative to any chemical cleaning product, so feel free to use it for
disinfecting other kitchen appliances, as well.
Hair dryer
This is a risky technique which, although effective, will require your constant attention and precision. Water plus electricity equals danger, so you have to make sure that there are no wet puddles around you, that the cable is dry and secured, and that you keep at least a few steps distance from the appliance.
How much time defrosting would take depends on the condition of the freezer and your efforts. Once the ice is gone, all that's left to do is wipe the surface.
Since this is the place where food is stored, chemical products are best to be avoided and are not really necessary. The
blend of vinegar and hot water can get the job done well enough.
Baking soda and water, on the other hand, can eliminate nasty odours for good and whiten surfaces.
Whatever cleaning method you choose, make sure that every corner is completely dry before you plug in the appliance again and arrange your food inside.