Regular cleaning of the refrigerator compartment is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a necessary safety measure for your health. Bacteria and mold actively multiply inside a confined space, which can cause an unpleasant odor and spoilage of food. Many housewives are looking for a way to clean the refrigerator using available ingredients that are always in the kitchen, instead of aggressive household chemicals.
Home remedies, such as baking soda, vinegar or citric acid, do an excellent job of removing grease, plaque and odors. They do not leave toxic traces on surfaces in contact with food and are absolutely safe for children and animals. In this article, we will analyze in detail what products to choose for different types of contamination and how to properly carry out general cleaning so that your unit sparkles with cleanliness.
Before taking active steps, you need to prepare a workplace and the necessary tools. You will need soft sponges, microfiber, a spray bottle for spraying solutions and several dry towels.
Preparing for washing: important steps
The process should begin by completely freeing the internal space. Remove all food, shelves and drawers. If you are planning defrosting, then this step is required for older models with a drip system or manual defrosting. Modern units with a system No Frost also require periodic cleaning, although ice forms in them less often.
Disconnect the device from the power supply. This is a critical safety step, as water and electricity are a dangerous combination. While the equipment is thawing (if necessary), you can wash the removable elements under running water. Soak shelves and drawers in warm water and mild dishwashing detergent.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to speed up the thawing of ice with a knife, hair dryer, or hot water poured directly onto the evaporator. A sudden temperature change or mechanical damage to the tubes can damage the compressor, which will lead to expensive repairs.
While the main components are cooling or thawing, prepare cleaning solutions. Neutral products are best for basic cleaning. If the contamination is old, a more concentrated composition will be required. Do not forget to also vacuum or wipe the back wall and radiator grill from dust, if there is access, since dust impairs heat transfer.
☑️ Preparation for cleaning
Effective home remedies for cleaning
The choice of cleaning agent depends on the type of contamination. Fatty deposits, which often form near the door and on shelves under sauces, are best dissolved by alkaline or acidic media. Baking soda remains the most popular and safest remedy. It works as a soft abrasive and perfectly adsorbs odors.
To prepare a universal solution, mix two tablespoons of soda with a liter of warm water. This emulsion can be used to wipe any surface, including rubber seals. Table vinegar (9%) is ideal for disinfection and removing yellowness. It kills mold spores and gives surfaces shine.
Citric acid is another powerful helper. It copes well with limescale deposits that can appear in areas of high humidity. Dissolve 1-2 bags of acid in a liter of water and use for wiping. For complex grease stains, you can make a paste of soda and a small amount of water, apply it to the stain, leave for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse off.
| Remedy | What is it suitable for | Proportions | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baking soda | Fat, odors, light dirt | 2 tbsp. l. per 1 liter of water | Safe, does not require thorough rinsing |
| Table vinegar | Disinfection, mold, limescale | 1:1 with water | Kills bacteria, requires ventilation |
| Citric acid | Fat, rust, scale | 10-15 g per 1 liter of water | Adds shine, refreshes |
| Ammonia alcohol | Heavily soiled, plastic | 1 tbsp. l. per 1 liter of water | Pungent odor, work with gloves |
It is important not to mix vinegar and chlorine-containing products (if you decide to use chemistry), as this leads to the release of poisonous gas. Homemade recipes are good for their predictability and safety. The combination of soda and vinegar gives a foaming reaction, which mechanically knocks dirt out of porous surfaces, but this mixture must be used immediately after preparation.
Step-by-step instructions: how to wash the inside
The washing process should be systematic so as not to miss a single one plot. Start on the top shelf and work your way down. This will prevent re-contamination of already washed surfaces with flowing dirt. Use a soft sponge, generously moistened with the selected solution.
Carefully wipe all corners, panel joints and places where shelves are attached. This is where mold and bacteria most often accumulate. Pay special attention to door handles and control buttons if they are located outside, as these are areas of frequent hand contact.
- Wipe the inner walls with a damp cloth with a cleaning agent.
- Pay special attention to the rubber seal around the perimeter of the door. Black mold often hides in its folds. Wipe the seal with a cotton swab dipped in vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
- Rinse the shelves and drawers under the tap, wipe dry and return to their place only after the chamber has completely dried.
- Finally, wipe all surfaces with a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining cleaning agent, and then dry.
After completing the water procedures, leave the doors open for 15-20 minutes to completely dry and ventilate. This will help get rid of the damp smell. If there is an unpleasant aroma left inside, place an open container with activated carbon, ground coffee or soda on the shelf for several hours.
How to clean the outside of the refrigerator
The outside of the unit also requires care. Fingerprints, splashes of grease from the kitchen and dust remain on the doors. For enamel surfaces, the same soap solution or glass cleaner is suitable. Apply the product to a soft cloth, and not directly to the body, so that the liquid does not get into joints and electrical parts.
If you have a stainless steel refrigerator (Stainless Steel), caring for it has its own nuances. Such surfaces are easily scratched and streaks are visible on them. For cleaning, use special polishes for stainless steel or a homemade mixture of water and a small amount of olive oil. Wipe the surface strictly along the lines of the metal texture.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use chlorine bleaches or products containing ammonia to clean stainless steel. They can permanently damage the protective coating and cause metal corrosion.
The top of the refrigerator is often forgotten, but a thick layer of sticky dust and grease accumulates there. Wipe the lid with a damp cloth and then with a dry one. If you have built-in appliances, pay attention to the ends and joints with furniture.
What to do with yellowness on plastic?
If white plastic turns yellow over time, try using hydrogen peroxide. Apply a peroxide solution (can be in the form of a teeth whitening gel or just a pharmacy solution) to the yellow areas and leave in sunlight for several hours. Ultraviolet light activates the reaction, and the plastic will turn white again.
Elimination of persistent odors
Sometimes, even after thorough washing, the smell remains. This means that bacteria has entered the drainage hole or has been absorbed into the plastic. Check the drainage first. It is located on the back wall inside the camera. You can clean it using a special brush or soft wire wrapped in cotton wool.
To neutralize odors, use natural absorbents. Place pieces of black bread, apple slices, cotton wool dipped in vanilla, or open jars of rice on the shelves. These products will absorb extraneous aromas and fill the chamber with a pleasant smell.
- 🍋 Lemon - cut the fruit in half and leave in the chamber for a day.
- ☕ Coffee - ground coffee in an open container perfectly absorbs the odors of fish or meat.
- 🧂 Salt - a glass of salt placed on a shelf acts as a powerful absorber of moisture and odors.
- 🍞 Brown bread - acts similarly to activated carbon.
If the odor is caused by a leaked product (such as a broken egg or spilled milk) that has gotten into hard-to-reach places, disassembling the interior panel may be necessary. In such cases, it is better to contact specialists so as not to damage the air circulation system.
What not to do: common mistakes
In an effort to clean the refrigerator until it shines, many make mistakes that can shorten the life of the equipment. The main mistake is using hot water for defrosting or washing. A sharp temperature change can cause plastic to crack and glass to burst.
Also, do not use metal scourers, knives or scrapers to remove stuck ice or dirt. Scratches on plastic become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and it will no longer be possible to wash them off. Glossy surfaces become matte and rough from abrasives.
Another mistake is washing the refrigerator while it is plugged in. Water may leak into the vents or contacts, causing a short circuit. Always remove the plug from the socket before starting work.
⚠️ Attention: Do not place hot pots or pans inside the refrigerator to "cool quickly". This creates a colossal load on the compressor, which is forced to work hard to compensate for the sharp rise in temperature.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How often should you wash the refrigerator?
General cleaning with Defrosting (if required) is recommended once every 3-4 months. However, shelves should be wiped down and food checked weekly. If stains or odors appear, cleaning must be done immediately.
Can you wash the refrigerator with soap?
It is not recommended to use laundry soap, as it is difficult to rinse completely and it can leave a specific smell. It is better to use liquid dish soap or soda-based detergent.
How to remove traces of tape from the refrigerator?
Traces of glue from tape or stickers can be easily removed by vegetable oil or a special "Antiscotch" product. Apply the oil to a cotton pad, apply to the stain for a couple of minutes, then rub. Wash off any remaining oil with a soapy solution.
Why did a smell appear after washing?
If a strange smell appears after washing, you may not have washed off the cleaning agent well or used a too concentrated solution. The smell may also come from wet seal or drainage that should have been dried more thoroughly.
Is it safe to use a steam cleaner?
You can use a steam cleaner, but with caution. Do not aim steam directly at electrical components, lamps or ventilation openings. High temperatures can deform some types of plastic.