Maintenance of Fridge | How to Clean Your Refrigerator?
To preserve the nutritional value of food and drinks over an extended period, we invest in refrigerators equipped with the latest technology and durability. However, maintaining hygiene inside the refrigerator is our responsibility. Just as we clean our homes, floors, and utensils, it is equally important to clean the place where we store our food.
The Fridge is a safe haven for our food, and to keep it germ-free, Through this guide I will share some tips on how to clean it effectively.
These tips are applicable for various types of refrigerators, including frost-free refrigerator, double door Refrigerators, single-door direct cool refrigerators, high-end Frost free refrigerator, side-by-side Refrigerator, and bottom mount refrigerator
Follow these tips to clean your Fridge!
To clean your fridge, first gather these supplies and ensure you have ample stock so you don't run out.
- Any Mild dish soap or liquid that you use to clean your utensils
- White vinegar, which is generally used in pickles or Chinese
- Baking soda of any brand
- Warm water ( do not warm it very much as the heat can damage your refrigerator)
- Luke warm water is the best.
- An old toothbrush or small, soft brush
- Microfiber cloths or sponges, you can use your kitchen towel as well.
With all these ingredients, we will prepare a cleaning solution.
We will need two solutions and 1 paste which serve different purposes-
1. Soap and water solution
- Mix a few drops of dish soap with Lukewarm water for this solution.
- This solution is for the basic cleaning of the inside of the fridge.
2. Vinegar solution
- To prepare this solution, combine equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water.
- This mixture is highly effective at killing mold and mildew
- Tough stains will not stay tougher anymore this paste helps to remove unhygienic stains that look bad
- To prepare take baking soda on a plate and add a few drops of water in it to make a thick paste.
How to clean Refrigerator?
1. Empty the fridge- The very first step to cleaning a refrigerator is making it empty.
- Put all your food and vegies outside the fridge.
- Your safety comes first! So turn off the power plug and plug out from the main supply
- Now your fridge is ready to get cleaned!
2. Start cleaning with a rubber seal
A rubber seal protects your fridge from warm air, if the seal is damaged and warm air comes inside the fridge your compressor needs to work more which can reduce the life of the compressor.
To clean the rubber seal
Step 1- Wipe Down the Seal
- Dampen a microfiber cloth or sponge (a kitchen towel works well here, so you can use that as well) with a soap and water solution. Thoroughly wipe the entire rubber seal, making sure to clean all the grooves and folds.
Step 2: Scrub Away Dirt and Mold
- Dip an old toothbrush or a small soft brush into the vinegar solution. Gently scrub the rubber seal, focusing on areas with visible dirt, mold, or mildew.
- Clean it gently and patiently to make sure all the visible dirt gets cleaned.
Step 3: Tackle Tough Stains
- You have cleaned the seal but these tough spots are not going anywhere, don’t panic we will use a DIY paste of baking soda to remove those, refer to the above-mentioned process of making that.
- Now, Apply the paste to the stains and scrub gently with a toothbrush. The mild abrasive action of the baking soda helps lift the stains without damaging the rubber.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
- Wipe the seal again with a cloth dampened with clean water to remove any soap or vinegar residue.
3. Dry Thoroughly:
Use a dry microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry the rubber seal. This step is important to prevent new mold and mildew from forming.
Clean all the other compartments
- Step 1: Take a cloth dip it into the soap solution and clean all the compartments
- Step 2: Dip a cloth or soft brush in the vinegar solution and clean all the compartments.
- Step 3: If there are tough stains you can use baking soda paste to clean it in the same way as you did with rubber seal.
- Step 4: Dip a fresh cloth in the lukewarm water and wipe it inside the refrigerator to remove excess soap.
- Step 5: The most important step is to use a fresh, dry and clean cloth to wipe the fridge to make it dry.
Thoroughly dry the fridge, to remove moisture and germs.
A drip pan used in some Fridge is utilized for collecting moisture. Locate the drip pan, remove it carefully, and clean it with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing it.
4. Remove the odours from the fridge
After cleaning the Fridge it is essential to make it smell good. Eliminating refrigerator odours is essential to maintaining a fresh and hygienic environment for your food. To tackle foul smells without harsh chemicals, thoroughly clean and dry all surfaces. Then, place an open container of dry baking soda on the bottom shelf to absorb future odours. After deodorizing, organize your fridge by discarding expired items, grouping similar foods, and using bins and containers to keep everything tidy.
Follow these tips for the Maintenance of the Fridge
Your refrigerator is a vital appliance, tirelessly working to keep your food fresh and safe. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your refrigerator but also ensures it operates efficiently, saving you energy and reducing costs. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you keep your refrigerator in excellent condition.
1. Clean the Interior Regularly
- From Above mentioned steps you have learned how to clean the interior and how to remove odour as well, try to clean your fridge once every month and deep cleaning after every 6 months
2. Maintain door seals
- Door seals are very important to protect your fridge from warm air getting inside.
- Frequently check for damage and if found any then contact Refrigerator service near you
3. In Case of the Direct Cool Refrigerator, Defrost manually
- Defrost your refrigerator whenever frost buildup exceeds a quarter-inch. Turn off the fridge, remove all food, and let the ice melt. Afterwards, clean the interior with soap solution and lukewarm water, dry it with a towel or any microfiber cloth, and turn it on. Excess frost causes uneven cooling, which can freeze your food and is very harmful.
4. Keep it Organised
- Store food items properly to ensure good air circulation. Avoid overloading the refrigerator, as this can block vents and reduce efficiency. You can use boxes with lids to store food, which helps other food that doesn’t get spoiled.
- Label leftovers with dates and rotate older items to the front to ensure they are used first.
- Do not put chopped onion and cooked meals with the lid open.
5. Monitor Temperature Settings
- Keep your refrigerator between 35-38°F (1.7-3.3°C) and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) for optimal performance and food safety. You can manually set the temperature, control is located inside the fridge.
6. Check Light Bulbs
- Ensure that the interior light bulbs are functioning. Replace any burned-out bulbs to keep the refrigerator well-lit.
7. Energy Efficiency Tips
- Minimize the time the refrigerator door is open to maintain the internal temperature.
- Place your refrigerator away from heat sources such as ovens, dishwashers, or direct sunlight to prevent it from overworking.