Like other household appliances, the refrigerator needs special care. So, find out how to clean the refrigerator, through this article!
Taking care of your home cleaning routine is very necessary, especially when it comes to the kitchen. In addition to the stove, the process of cleaning the refrigerator is also very important to maintain the integrity of the food and consequently our health. Due to its important task, the refrigerator requires greater care when cleaning it.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips on how to clean the refrigerator in the most correct way, so you can make a show of this item in your daily life.
Step by step on how to clean the refrigerator
Due to its structure, the refrigerator has several compartments and this influences how we proceed with the steps of cleaning the refrigerator.
Cleaning parts and shelves
Firstly, before cleaning any appliance, unplug it. This way, you are more comfortable carrying out the entire process of cleaning the refrigerator, without running any risk of electric shock. After turning it off, remove all items from the refrigerator. Take the opportunity to check all compartments and food expiration dates.
If your refrigerator is not frost free, there is one more step in the process of how to clean the refrigerator. The next step must be done after defrosting. This step, in turn, can take 1 to 3 hours, depending on the amount of ice accumulated. However, it is worth highlighting that it is important for the integrity of the refrigerator that you wait for it to defrost. As well as the integrity of the object, the cleaning process is easier and faster if there is no ice present.
Then, carefully remove the shelves and detachable parts and take them to the sink. Use the soft part of the sponge and neutral detergent to clean the parts. Remember to never wash the shelves, especially if they are made of glass, with warm water and wait until they are at room temperature before rinsing them. After all, contact with cold shelves can cause a thermal shock and harm the material of the object. This tip is essential when it comes to cleaning your refrigerator!
How to clean the refrigerator: inside
After removing the food and cleaning the shelves and removable parts, make a mixture of neutral detergent and warm water and spray it over the entire interior of the refrigerator. With a damp cloth, rub all the foam and then remove the excess with a clean cloth. If you want to remove stronger odors or disinfect more thoroughly, apply a little vinegar diluted in water with a clean hand.
Lastly, ensure that the inside is dry and clean. After that, replace the shelves and moving parts back into the refrigerator. Now you can turn it back on.
How to clean the outside of the refrigerator?
If your refrigerator is the white type:
Firstly, avoid leaving it exposed to the sun, this causes the object to yellow. Then, using a soft sponge and neutral detergent, clean the outside. Then, as well as the inside, use a damp cloth to remove excess soap. Finally, dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
Homemade tips:
If your white refrigerator already has yellow stains, you can use baking soda or a common stain remover. With bicarbonate, simply mix it with a little water, apply it to the stain(s) and wait 15 minutes. Finally, remove excess product with a clean cloth. With the stain remover, the process is the same as with water, however, you must wait 30 minutes and then finish.
If your refrigerator is stainless steel:
Just like white refrigerators, stainless steel refrigerators need to be cleaned regularly. However, they require greater care, due to their propensity to scratches. To avoid this type of thing, it is important not to use steel wool or abrasive products when cleaning. The process is similar to that of other refrigerators, however, if you want to give it an extra shine, spray glass cleaner on the external surface and buff with a clean, soft cloth.
What to use for cleaning
As seen previously, some products and materials can harm the useful life of your refrigerator. Therefore, these are the products you can use to clean it properly: vinegar, baking soda and neutral detergent. Remember not to use materials that scratch your refrigerator, so avoid steel wool, the rough part of sponges and very thick cloths.
Homemade recipe to remove odor
As with other articles on Women’s Area, we always leave a homemade recipe so you don’t have to worry about going out to buy products, especially if it’s an emergency. So, check out this trick to remove that strong smell from the refrigerator.
You will need…
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
Step by step:
- First, unplug the refrigerator and remove all items.
- Then, make a mixture of water + bicarbonate and apply it to the entire internal surface of the refrigerator and wait for about 5 minutes.
- Lastly, remove excess product and finish like a regular cleaning.
+ Some important tips on how to clean the refrigerator
You should also pay attention to the frequency of cleaning. The best option for spills is immediate cleaning, so if possible, check the refrigerator daily and remove food spills and surface dirt. The most thorough cleaning, which we mentioned previously, can be done once a month, preferably when the refrigerator is empty, after all, this makes the whole process easier.
Finally, pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the handling of your refrigerator and distribute food and products as indicated. Consequently, you will make them last longer, as each compartment and its location inside the refrigerator was designed to preserve food according to the temperatures they require.
In addition to this tip, check out our website too: How to store food in the refrigerator and how to remove bleach stains from clothes.
Sources: Consul, Brastemp and Tua Casa.
Images: Web Continental, Amway Connections, Pinterest, Tudo Especial, Fabiana Scaranzi and Business Insider.
