Cleaning the refrigerator in order often begins with the simplest but most important action - cleaning the internal containers. Many housewives and owners are faced with a problem when glass or plastic shelves are covered with a sticky coating and emit an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of spoiled food. This not only spoils the aesthetics of storage, but can also cause rapid spoilage of fresh vegetables and fruits. boxes for vegetables emit an unpleasant odor reminiscent of spoiled food. This not only spoils the aesthetics of storage, but can also cause rapid spoilage of fresh vegetables and fruits.
The washing process cannot be called complicated, but it requires following a certain sequence and using the right products so as not to damage the material. Incorrectly selected chemistry can make the plastic cloudy or cause microcracks in the glass. In this article we will look at how to wash a drawer in the refrigerator most effectively, safely and quickly, returning it to its original purity.
Preparing for washing and choosing safe products
Before starting the active phase cleaning, it is necessary to properly prepare the workplace and select a cleaning agent. The main mistake is the use of aggressive household chemicals intended for plumbing fixtures or stoves, which can be absorbed into the porous structure of food plastic. Food plastic has the property of absorbing odors, so it is important to use only neutral or specialized products.
The optimal solution is to use warm water with added liquid dish soap or regular laundry soap. These components do an excellent job of removing fatty deposits and do not leave toxic traces. For disinfection, you can add a weak solution of vinegar or citric acid, which also help neutralize persistent odors rotting, which often occurs in the lower compartments.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use chlorine-containing products (for example, "Whiteness") or abrasives powders. Chlorine can react with plastic, changing its color, and abrasives will leave scratches in which bacteria will multiply at double the speed.
If you plan to wash glass inserts, make sure that they do not have mechanical damage. A sudden change in temperature upon contact with hot water can lead to glass destruction, so the water should be warm, but not boiling water. Always check manufacturer's instructions your refrigerator for recommended cleaning products.
Dismantling and removing storage elements
The first step is to completely empty the refrigerator compartment of food and remove all removable elements. Vegetable drawers, usually located at the bottom of the chamber, often have special guides or latches. To remove the draweryou need to slightly lift its front part and pull it towards you, releasing the rear runners from the grooves.
Some models of refrigerators, for example, from brands LG or Samsungmay have more complex fastening systems, where the box is inserted into a special slide. In such cases, it is important not to use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic latches. If the box cannot be removed easily, you should carefully inspect the side walls of the chamber for hidden stoppers.
- 🧊 Empty the box of all products and packaging.
- 🔍 Visually inspect the fastening mechanism and guides.
- 👐 Gently pull the container towards you, slightly lifting front edge.
- 🚫 Do not use sharp objects to pry the plastic.
After removing the drawers, it is recommended to immediately wipe the inside of the niche where they were located. Condensation, crumbs and traces of leaking bags often accumulate there. Use a damp cloth with a mild detergent to remove dirt in hard-to-reach corners.
The process of manual washing and removal of persistent stains
The main stage of cleaning occurs in the bathroom or kitchen, where there is access to a large amount of water. Fill a bathtub or basin with warm water and add your chosen detergent. Immerse plastic containers in water for 10-15 minutes to soften dried-on dirt and grease deposits.
For washing, use a soft sponge or flannel cloth. The hard side of the sponge can only be used on the outer walls of the box, but it is better to rub the inner surface in contact with food only with the soft side. Pay special attention to the corners and joints where mold most often forms.
If there is a sticky coating left on the walls from berry juice or meat broth, you can prepare a special paste from soda and water. Apply this paste to problem areas, leave for 5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Soda works as a mild abrasive and an excellent odor absorbent odor absorbent.
☑️ Checklist for an ideal wash
For glass dividers the process is similar, but here it is important to avoid hitting the edges of the bath. Glass can be wiped down with window cleaner to make it shiny and streak-free. After washing, be sure to rinse all the elements with clean running water to remove any remaining chemicals.
Fighting mold and unpleasant odors
Sometimes, even after thorough washing, a specific smell remains in the refrigerator, or black dots are visible on the plastic - this is mold. The fungus is able to penetrate into the microscopic pores of plastic, from where it is difficult to wash it out with ordinary water. In such cases, more serious disinfection is required. An effective and safe way is to use a solution of table vinegar (9%) in a 1:1 ratio with water. Wipe all surfaces of the box with this solution and leave for 10-15 minutes. Acetic acid kills mold spores and neutralizes volatile compounds that cause odors. disinfection.
An effective and safe way is to use a solution of table vinegar (9%) in a 1:1 ratio with water. Wipe all surfaces of the box with this solution and leave for 10-15 minutes. Acetic acid kills mold spores and neutralizes volatile compounds that cause odors.
⚠️ Attention: Never mix vinegar with chlorine-containing products (bleach). As a result of the reaction, chlorine gas is released, which is extremely dangerous for the human respiratory tract.
Hydrogen peroxide can be an alternative to vinegar. It also has a powerful antiseptic effect and does not have such a strong odor. After treating with any of the products, it is necessary to rinse the boxes very thoroughly with water. To prevent the appearance of odors in the future, you can place an activated carbon tablet on the bottom of the dry box.
Why does the smell return after a week?
If the smell appears again after a short time, it may not be coming from the box itself, but from the drainage hole in the back wall of the chamber. Check to see if the condensate drain is clogged, since stagnant water there is an ideal environment for bacteria.
Drying and correct assembly of the structure
The most common mistake is putting wet drawers back into the refrigerator. At low temperatures, residual moisture on the walls of the plastic will turn into an ice crust or promote the growth of bacteria. Therefore, the full drying step is critical.
Wipe all surfaces dry with a clean cotton towel or lint-free microfiber. Leave the boxes at room temperature for 30-40 minutes for the final evaporation of moisture, especially in hard-to-reach corners and grooves.
| Drawer material | Drying method | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Food grade plastic | Natural + rubbing | Afraid of high temperatures of a hair dryer |
| Tempered glass | Wipe dry | Important edges to avoid chipping |
| Metal guides | Careful wiping | Prone to corrosion when moisture remains |
Installation is done in the reverse order: first, the rear slides are inserted into the grooves, then the box is lowered and pushed in until it stops. Make sure that the container is level and not skewed, otherwise it may fall out the next time you open it or damage the food.
Prevention of contamination and care of the refrigerator
To prevent the question “how to wash a drawer in the refrigerator” from coming up too often, you should follow simple operating rules. Regular inspection of products helps to timely detect spoiling vegetables and fruits, which are the main source of dirt and odor.
It is recommended to wipe shelves and drawers with a damp cloth once a week during general cleaning in the kitchen. This takes a couple of minutes, but prevents a sticky layer from building up. It is also useful to use special liner mats or cling film on the bottom of vegetable boxes.
- 🥦 Pack vegetables in bags or containers before storing.
- 🧼 Carry out express cleaning immediately after spilled liquids.
- 🌡️ Keep an eye on temperature conditions so that food spoils more slowly.
- 🍋 Once a month, wipe the shelves with a solution of citric acid.
Following these simple recommendations will allow you to maintain hygienic cleanliness the refrigerator compartment and extend the service life of the plastic elements. A clean refrigerator is not only aesthetics, but also a guarantee of your family’s health.
Can the drawers be washed? in the dishwasher?
Most refrigerator manufacturers do not recommend washing plastic drawers in the dishwasher. High water temperatures (often above 60-70°C) and aggressive cleaning tablets can deform the plastic, make it cloudy or cause cracks. The exception is for models where the instructions explicitly indicate “dishwasher safe”.
How to wash yellow deposits on a plastic box?
Yellowishness often appears from contact with products or simply from time to time. Try making a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apply to the surface and leave for an hour. Soaking in a citric acid solution also helps. If the plastic has turned yellow from age and ultraviolet radiation, it will be extremely difficult to return it to whiteness.
How to remove the smell of fish from a container?
The fish smell is very persistent. After washing with soap, wipe the box with a slice of fresh lemon or vinegar solution. Then pour a layer of salt or soda inside and leave it dry overnight. The next day, rinse thoroughly. Ventilating in the open air (balcony) during the day also helps.