As everywhere else, there are many bacteria in the refrigerator. From time to time you should therefore clean your refrigerator. Here’s a guide on how to clean a refrigerator properly.
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Mold can spread throughout the refrigerator
Cleaning the fridge regularly is a very important thing, because after all, you keep food here that you still want to eat. If germs form here – despite the cold – then this is not only unhygienic, but can also become dangerous. Keyword: mold. These spores are so small that they can spread unnoticed to other foods.
Therefore, you should clean a refrigerator properly from time to time. So that you also don’t forget to clean any spot, we have written here for you a step-by-step guide on how to clean a refrigerator properly.
Clean refrigerator – step by step instructions
Step 1 – Eliminate food
Before you can start to clean a refrigerator properly, you should first empty the refrigerator completely. It is advisable to check whether it is still okay when taking out the food. Look at the best-before date and dispose of spoiled food. To prevent food from getting bad while cleaning the fridge, you should store everything in a cooler bag or oven. In winter, you can also put the food in a container and put it outside for cooling.
Step 2 – Defrost the fridge
Remove the power plug from the refrigerator from the socket. If your fridge has a freezer, then you should put a bucket for the draining water after clearing. To defrost the fridge, simply leave the fridge door open. Never scrape off the ice in the freezer with a sharp object. It could happen that you damage the cooling elements as a result. Be patient. Never accelerate the defrosting process with heating elements.
Step 3 – Clean shelves, grids and compartments
Fill a sink with warm water and add some vinegar or citric acid to the water. Now clean all the grilles, compartments and shelves in this water. Vinegar or citric acid not only removes unpleasant odours, both home remedies also disinfect all components of the refrigerator very well.
Step 4 – Wipe out the fridge
Now it’s the turn of the fridge. Wipe this one with a vinegar-water mixture. Do not forget to wipe the rubber seals. Mold often forms in the corners and wrinkles. Then dry everything. This is an important thing, because if you turn the fridge back on and everything is not really dry, the damp spots may freeze. When everything is dry, you can turn the fridge back on and clear it – done. You should clean your refrigerator approximately every six to eight weeks. This allows you to prevent unpleasant refrigerator odours from developing and spreading germs, bacteria and mould.
Here is a little tip: If you want to prevent an unpleasant smell from spreading in the refrigerator, then you should put a small bowl with vinegar, lemon juice, coffee powder or baking powder in the refrigerator.
