Regular cleaning kitchen appliances is not just a matter of aesthetics, but an important component of hygiene and durability of the appliance. Inside refrigerator compartment air currents constantly circulate, which carry food odors and food particles throughout the entire volume. Over time, a sticky coating forms on the walls, which becomes an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and mold.
Many housewives wonder how to clean a dirty refrigerator so as not to damage the coating and effectively remove dirt. The use of aggressive chemicals can ruin plastic elements, and ordinary detergents do not always cope with old grease. In this article, we will look at proven cleaning methods that will help restore your equipment to its original cleanliness and freshness.
Before you begin any active actions, you need to prepare your workplace. Open windows for ventilation, especially if you plan to use vinegar or specialized sprays. Prepare several clean microfiber clothssponges with different hardnesses and water containers. Proper preparation will save you time and effort during the cleaning process.
Preparing for cleaning: turning off and defrosting
Before you start washing, you must completely empty the refrigerator compartment of food. Remove all shelves, vegetable drawers and removable parts. This will allow you to access hard-to-reach places where dirt most often accumulates. If your model has a system No Frost, defrosting may not be required, but complete disconnection from the network is required.
Leave the doors open for at least 15-20 minutes so that the temperature inside is equal to room temperature. A sharp temperature change when warm water comes into contact with cold walls can lead to the appearance of microcracks in plastic or glass. To speed up the process, you can use a hair dryer, but keep it at a distance of at least 30 cm from the surface.
⚠️ Attention: Never use sharp objects (knives, screwdrivers) to chip ice. This could damage the evaporator or compromise the seal of the cooling circuit, leading to costly repairs.
It is best to wash removable parts separately in a sink or bathtub. Plastic shelves and drawers are more resistant to water than the interior of the cabinet. Use warm water and a mild detergent. Rinse them thoroughly and leave to dry on a towel to avoid excess moisture getting back into the chamber.
☑️ Preparing the refrigerator for washing
Folk remedies for removing fat and plaque
Home remedies are often more effective than store-bought chemicals, especially when it comes to food stains. They are safe, environmentally friendly and, as a rule, always on hand. One of the most popular solutions is to use baking soda. It perfectly absorbs odors and works as a soft abrasive.
To prepare a cleaning solution, dilute 2 tablespoons of soda in a liter of warm water. Soak a soft sponge in the solution and wipe all internal surfaces. Pay special attention to corners and joints where dirt accumulates most quickly. After treatment, be sure to wipe the walls with a clean, damp cloth.
Another powerful remedy is table vinegar. It not only cleans, but also disinfects surfaces, killing up to 99% of bacteria. Mix vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. The solution can be poured into a spray bottle for ease of application. After treating with a vinegar solution, the refrigerator must be well ventilated to get rid of the specific smell.
- 🍋 Citric acid or fresh lemon juice does an excellent job of removing the yellow coating on plastic.
- 🧼 Laundry soap, grated and dissolved in water, removes stubborn fatty stains.
- 🍞 Black bread helps remove odors if you put it on a shelf for several hours after cleaning.
Before treating the entire surface, try the selected product on a small, inconspicuous area. If the plastic has not changed color and structure, you can safely continue cleaning.
Professional chemistry and specialized products
If traditional methods do not seem effective enough to you or you prefer ready-made solutions, the market offers a wide range of specialized products. They are designed taking into account the characteristics of the materials used in the production of refrigerators. Such preparations often contain antibacterial components and substances that prevent the reappearance of plaque.
When choosing a product, pay attention to the labeling. Only compositions marked “for food surfaces” or “eco” are suitable for internal chambers. Aggressive solvents, chlorine and ammonia can destroy the structure of plastic, making it brittle and dull. Avoid using powders with large abrasive particles that leave scratches.
| Type of product | Examples of brands | Efficacy | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprays for kitchen | Mr. Muscle, Cif, Synergetic | High (grease) | Medium (requires rinsing) |
| Wet wipes | Unicum, Luxus | Medium (dust, traces) | High |
| Gels for plastic | Top House, Electrolux | High (plaque) | High |
| Antibacterial sprays | Dettol, Bagi | Disinfection | Depends on the composition |
The use of sprays is convenient because they often do not require rinsing with water; just wipe the surface with a dry cloth. However, if you store unpackaged food in the refrigerator, it is still better to use water for the final rinse. Chemical residues can react with food or change their taste.
Removing complex contaminants: mold and yellowness
The biggest problem for refrigerator owners is often mold. She likes to settle in rubber door seals and drainage holes. Blackheads not only spoil the appearance, but also release spores that can be hazardous to health. You need to fight it immediately using strong antiseptics.
Hydrogen peroxide or an alcohol solution is ideal for removing mold. Soak a cotton swab or toothbrush in the liquid and scrub the affected areas thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to rub the gum - mechanical action is necessary to clean the mycelium from the pores of the material. After treatment, wipe the surface dry.
⚠️ Attention: If mold has penetrated deep into the rubber structure and does not wipe off, the seal may need to be replaced. You cannot leave the source of infection - it will quickly spread again.
Yellowness on plastic is the result of oxidation of the material under the influence of fats and time. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and soda or special bleaches for plastic will help to bleach plastic. Apply the product, leave for 20-30 minutes (be careful not to dry out), then rinse. In some cases, it helps to use melamine spongewhich works like an eraser, removing a thin top layer of dirt.
What to do if the yellowness does not go away?
If chemical methods do not help, you can try mechanical polishing of the plastic with a special polish or even light sanding with fine sandpaper (2000+ grit), but this requires extreme caution so as not to damage the texture.
Cleaning hard-to-reach places and drainage
Often the external cleanliness of the refrigerator is deceiving, since the inside remains dirty in places that are difficult to reach. This primarily concerns the drainage hole. It is located on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment and serves to drain condensate. If it becomes clogged, water will begin to accumulate at the bottom, creating puddles and an unpleasant odor.
To clean the drainage, use a special brush, which often comes with equipment, or a regular cotton swab from which the cotton has been removed, leaving a plastic rod. Carefully insert the tool into the hole, turning it to break through the dirt plug. Then pour some warm water in there to make sure it flows freely.
Do not forget about ventilation holes and gaps between shelves. Dust and crumbs getting there begin to rot. Use a vacuum cleaner with a narrow attachment to remove dry dust before wet cleaning. For narrow cracks, toothpicks wrapped in thin fabric are excellent.
- 🔍 Inspect the joints of plastic panels - sticky deposits often accumulate there.
- 🌬️ Blow out the ventilation ducts with compressed air or a vacuum cleaner in blowing mode.
- 🧽 Use an old toothbrush to clean the textured surfaces of the shelves.
Drying, assembly and odor prevention
After a thorough wash, the most important thing is to let the refrigerator dry completely. Remaining moisture is the main enemy, causing bacterial growth and ice formation when turned on. Leave the doors open for at least an hour, preferably two. Make sure that all recesses and grooves are dry.
When the chamber is completely dry, reassemble the refrigerator in reverse order. Install shelves, drawers and containers. Now you can connect the device to the network. Let it idle for about 30-60 minutes to reach the desired temperature before loading food.
To prevent future odors, use absorbents. These can be special balls with activated carbon, which are sold in hardware stores, or folk remedies: an open pack of soda, a cup of rice or Activated charcoal. Change them every 3-4 months.
Following simple rules for storing food will also help keep the refrigerator clean. Always pack food in containers or bags, especially foods with strong odors (fish, spices, smoked meats). Wipe up spilled liquids immediately, without waiting for them to dry or flow into the cracks.
Is it possible to wash a refrigerator with a steam generator?
Using a steam generator is possible, but with great care. The high temperature of the steam can deform the thin plastic of the shelves or damage the seals. In addition, excess moisture from steam is difficult to quickly remove. It is recommended to use this method only for metal elements or heavily soiled rubber, holding the nozzle at a distance.
How often should you wash the inside of the refrigerator?
General cleaning with defrosting is recommended once every 3-4 months. However, superficial cleaning of shelves and checking products should be done weekly. If you notice spilled liquid or crumbs, clean them up immediately to avoid the appearance of mold and odors.
How to remove the smell of fish from the refrigerator?
Adsorbents deal best with the smell of fish. Place several activated carbon tablets on the shelves (can be crushed), pour baking soda into an open container, or use a special odor neutralizer spray. Wiping the walls with a solution of vinegar or lemon juice will also help.
Is it safe to use chlorine-containing products?
Using chlorine (for example, “Belizna”) inside the refrigerator is highly not recommended. Chlorine vapor can be absorbed into plastic walls and seals and then transferred to food. In addition, chlorine is aggressive to some types of plastic and can cause them to yellow or break down.