Even though your fridge is probably your most significant kitchen appliance, you don't think much of it as you do countertops and other surfaces unless something spills.
How many times have you opened your refrigerator and had some unpleasant smell come back at you? Can you tell me what happened here? What's up with that? Regularly cleaning a fridge might seem like a good idea, but you'll be surprised to learn that's not only the case. If you find yourself in this position, do you know how to clean a refrigerator?
Even though the experience isn't fun, it's not hard either. Some tips help you get rid of unpleasant smells in your refrigerator while also keeping it smelling neutral for longer.
We'll show you how to get the fridge smelling fresh again and learn how to eliminate its unpleasant smell.
How to clean a refrigerator (Inside)
Maintaining a clean refrigerator is important for maximizing storage space, staying organized, and keeping food fresh. We recommend cleaning with gentle procedures and avoid using abrasive materials or harsh cleaners, flammable fluids, bleach, or cleaners containing petroleum products.
Find out how you can clean the interior and exterior of your refrigerator with one of these simple methods.
Empty the fridge
If you plan on doing your weekly grocery shopping, be sure to clean out your refrigerator before you go. When it comes to storing food in your refrigerator, the less there is, the better. Therefore, discard every expired item and wipe down any sticky or leaky containers.
Even though it may seem overwhelming, you should take everything out of your refrigerator first. As a temporary way station for all of the things you're pulling out, you can use a big towel if there isn't enough counter space.
A quick note: If you want to keep food from spoiling, try not to leave it outside the refrigerator for more than two hours.
Take out adjustable shelves and drawers
It's now time to remove your adjustable shelves from the freezer after you have taken everything out. Make sure you take your time before soaking them in warm water because a sudden change in temperature might cause unexpected cracks, especially if they're plastic or glass.
After reaching room temperature, soak them in a dishwashing liquid and warm water to remove any stubborn stains. The simplest solution is to use a teaspoon of dish soap and two cups of water. Or, you can also sprinkle some baking soda on an area that seems really goopy or stuck on, and then let it sit. Next, thoroughly dry and hand wash.
Clean the interior surface
Start with the inside of the refrigerator door. Spray the mixed solution thoroughly, followed by rubbing with the dampened cloth. For rubber door seals, wipe them down with the same cloth. Maintaining a tight seal requires these to be kept clean.
Similarly, if anything appears sticky, sprinkle some baking soda on it and then scrape it away using a non-scratch sponge.
The next thing you want to do is spray each compartment of the interior. Having sprayed down the interior and gotten rid of any spots or stains, wipe it with a moist, clean cloth. So, your rinse will be sufficient to remove everything that you don't want to be left there.
Place everything back inside
Make sure the shelves and drawers are dry and put them back. Put all the freshly cleaned items into their respective areas of the fridge. However, before putting items back in the refrigerator, make sure you clean them with warm water and a clean cloth to remove any sticky residue. (I label my refrigerator sections for easy organization, but that's just me.)
How to Clean the Outside of a Fridge
With a good exterior clean, you can keep your refrigerator looking sparkling. You can simply wipe down all surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner, paying special attention to the handle areas which tend to accumulate grime. Don't forget to wipe down the refrigerator's top from time to time, too. Although this area may not be used on a daily basis, dust can accumulate there over time.
Cleaning painted or colored refrigerator exteriors with soap and water is the recommended method; however, care can vary depending on the finish of your fridge.
To prevent smudges and fingerprints from appearing on stainless-steel refrigerators, follow these steps.
To quickly clean a surface, wipe it with a wet microfiber cloth, then use a dry cloth.
To get rid of stubborn grime, use rubbing alcohol.
Rub over the stains with rubbing alcohol using a soft cloth after placing a few drops on it. It is always advisable to clean stainless steel appliances with grain.
Wipe down the body
This is as simple as you like. With an all-purpose cleaner, wash the outside and rub sticky spots with a piece of cloth. If necessary, mix some rubbing alcohol.
Wash with clean water
Rinse with clean water and remove any soapy residue. You can do it several times as per your satisfaction.
Wipe with a soft cloth
There's not much left to do. Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Let the refrigerator dry completely for a few minutes, and then plug it in.
How often should you clean your refrigerator?
When did you last clean your refrigerator? Well, this is not a judgment by any means; it is merely a polite query. It makes sense that the inside of a refrigerator does not get the same attention as other areas of our kitchen since it is not visible to us. And I am not justifying it either. It is to tell if you're in that state; you're not alone. We, humans, are prone to being less attentive to things that aren't directly in front of us.
However, cleaning the refrigerator interior requires changing the water filter and air filter twice annually and cleaning the condenser coils every year.
By following a few simple steps, you can keep your fridge functional for several months before you need to do a deep clean. Here's how often you should do it.
Immediately
In the event that you cannot stay on top of small spills, drips, and so on, cleaning your freezer's inside immediately is advisable, especially if the stuff is sticky, like maple syrup or ketchup.
Keep in the habit of rinsing off the outside of jars and containers that tend to get dirty. As a result, it's easier to keep your refrigerator clean. Plus, keep sticky spots from forming by wiping up spills as soon as they happen.
Once a Week
These semi-frequent cleans are really important. You're going to take out of everything and examine the contents of the refrigerator and discard any food that is close to going bad. Has this been used? Is it likely to be used in the future? Is the milk still within its best before date? If the answers are NO, then simply get rid of those items.
You really need to stay on top of everything in your fridge. Before going to purchase new items, most of us do not even pay attention to the refrigerator. However, it is worth pulling anything that is nearing the end of its useful life from the freezer. And don't let your refrigerator stink from them.
Every 2 Months
You can absorb odors from your refrigerator by leaving an open box of baking soda. Make sure the box has the date written on it, and stick it in a corner. Remember to replace baking soda at least every two months because its odor-absorbing abilities diminish after that time.
Every 3 to 4 Months
Here's how to make certain you don't miss anything important when you deep-clean your refrigerator:
Get rid of everything old and useless in the refrigerator.
Remove the crisper and meat drawers from the fridge.
In warm soapy water, wipe along the inner shelves and walls of the refrigerator.
Put dish soap and warm water in the sink to wash the drawers.
To remove any remaining soap residue, wipe everything with a damp cloth.
Put everything back inside the refrigerator after drying all surfaces with a clean cloth.
Don't forget to keep some freshly opened baking soda on some shelves to combat those smells!
Shut off the refrigerator power and wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. You can take away fingerprints and grime from stainless steel appliances by using stainless steel spray purchased at the store.
Every 6 Months
To keep the bottom of the fridge free of dust and hair, use the vacuum and brush attachment twice a year. Therefore, the refrigerator will have a boost of approximately 3 to 5 percent in efficiency due to an improved airflow to the condenser.
Final Words
Keeping your refrigerator fresh is as simple as following a few steps. We hope this article will serve as a thorough guide to cleaning your freezer. You can reach us through the comment section below if you need more information about how to clean a refrigerator. We are always happy to see you.