Cleaning the refrigerator is very important for its correct maintenance, especially in the summer season, when it is opened hundreds of times a day. Water, soft drinks, fresh fruit, ice cream, pasta salads: in the summer we eat and drink only fresh things and it is essential that the fridge is kept well and is always clean, inside and out.
If you are wondering how to clean your fridge without necessarily using chemicals , we have prepared a list of natural ingredients to safely sanitize both the interior and the gaskets. When to clean the refrigerator
Cleaning the refrigerator is an operation that should be done at least once a monthregularly to prevent bacteria and mold from forming and also to make the appliance last longer. It has been shown that up to 8000 bacteria per square centimeter are hidden in the fridge , usually not harmful to our health but, since these are surfaces in contact with food, caution is never too much.
Furthermore, it is always preferable to clean the fridge when it is partially empty, so our advice is to do it before going shopping. This way, you won’t have to empty it completely and risk the food spoiling. A couple of times a year it is recommended to carry out a more thorough cleaning, defrosting the fridge and freezer (if you do not have an appliance with No Frost system) and arming yourself with a lot of patience!
The first thing to do is, as we have already said, empty the fridge (which is why it is preferable that it is not particularly full) and disconnect the power. You can also leave it on but for a deep cleaning and, since you still have to remove all the contents, better turn it off. This operation is also a way to throw open jars, spoiled food finished at the bottom of the shelves and check that there are no expired or close to expiry foods. For safety, if the outside temperature is too high, you can place perishable foods in a cooler bag.
Once the refrigerator has been freed of its contents, also remove all the shelves and pull-out drawers to wash them separately. There are two options at this point: either put everything in the dishwasher or prepare a solution with hot water, lemon and bicarbonate (2 tablespoons for each liter of water) and they will come back clean and sanitized. Which detergents to use
To clean and disinfect the fridge in extreme safety, it is always preferable not to use too aggressive detergents, as they could release harmful substances which, if not rinsed correctly, risk coming into contact with food. In addition, we have many natural ingredients at home that can also be very effective for cleaning surfaces and appliances. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, salt, rice can brilliantly replace (and it should be said) chemicals usually used for cleaning.Baking soda
You can clean the fridge with a natural degreaser made with a mixture of warm water and baking soda: two tablespoons of baking soda are enough for every liter of water. Use a soft sponge-cloth and insist on the most resistant stains. This type of natural detergent not only thoroughly degreases surfaces but also sanitizes them and eliminates odors. The encrustations can also be eliminated with a degreasing paste obtained from a mix of water, sodium bicarbonate and lemon juice. Take a small amount of the paste with a toothbrush and gently rub it on the part to be cleaned, then remove the dirt with a wet cloth. White vinegar
Another natural ingredient that has an excellent degreasing and sanitizing power ewhite vinegar , to be used both pure and diluted with water. To clean the fridge with vinegar, just pour a glass into a basin with two liters of warm water and wipe all surfaces with a soft cloth. In case of stubborn stains, you can pour vinegar directly into it and leave it to act for a few minutes, then always wipe with a damp cloth.
Vinegar is also perfect for cleaning grids and glass parts, as it is an excellent natural descaler. Also in this case, for the most resistant deposits, you can leave the grill to soak in water and vinegar for at least half an hour: the result will be surprising. Lemon
The lemonand another of the ingredients that we all have at home and that we often don’t use for cleaning. Yet citric acid is a powerful natural disinfectant and, in addition, it eliminates bad odors leaving a fresh citrus scent. Use lemon water for a final pass after degreasing with vinegar or baking soda and you will see that sheen. You can also use a spray bottle containing a solution of warm water and lemon juice for daily refrigerator cleaning. Salt
And perhaps the most present ingredient in our kitchens, the one that must never be missing together with a few others. Have you ever thought of using it for house cleaning
Try to gently rub a paste obtained with a mixture ofwater and salt or directly spray a solution of water and salt. In addition to degreasing, salt is also an excellent odor absorber. Rice
Hardly anyone thinks about it, but rice also has a cleaning and descaling power , thanks to the large amount of starch contained within it. To use it in cleaning the refrigerator, soak a cup of rice in two cups of water until the rice has released all its starch (basically when the water has taken on a milky white color). Filter with a colander, spray the liquid obtained on the walls of the refrigerator and rinse with a damp cloth. With a single gesture you will eliminate stains and bad smells. How to clean the fridge gaskets
When cleaning the refrigerator, do not forget to pay special attention to the seals as well . The latter are essential for the correct operation of the appliance because they guarantee the hermetic closure of the door. If the gasket is damaged, not only is there a dispersion of cold air and molds and deterioration of food due to the heat entering inside, but there is also a higher consumption of electricity than necessary.
To avoid deterioration of the seals, it is good practice to always keep them clean. Wash them with a brush wet in a solution of warm water and white vinegar if there are molds, otherwise with water, lemon and bicarbonate, useful both for removing stains and for sanitizing. If the gasket is removable, you can also immerse it for a few minutes in a basin with warm water and vinegar or lemon and baking soda. Always pay attention to dry it well and, once dry, you can make it more insulating with a coat of talcum powder or oil. How to get rid of mold from the refrigerator
In a humid environment such as the refrigerator, mold can form on the shelves or in the drawers, due to encrusted food residues. Many recommend cleaning the fridge with bleach precisely because it is an excellent anti-mold but often the smell can be annoying. If you don’t like the mixture of water and bleach, you can prepare a solution of three parts of baking soda and one of water and wipe the mold stains with a damp cloth until they are gone, remembering to always rinse thoroughly. If the stains are particularly stubborn, let the solution work for a few minutes. How to get rid of bad smells from the fridge
Now that you know how to clean the fridge with natural products, you just have to arrange it in order and organize the food by placing each food in its special compartment. After cleaning, you should already have a sanitized and odor-free refrigerator but if you use some small precautions you can keep your fridge smelling and clean for a long time. Sometimes, even if clean, it can happen to preserve food with a persistent smell that is difficult to remove. To overcome this problem, in addition to periodically cleaning the surfaces with water and vinegar, you can adopt some small, simple and inexpensive tricks.
To absorb bad smells, you can place a cup with baking soda or white vinegar in a corner of the refrigerator, remembering to replace it at least every two weeks. Coffee is also very effective as an odor absorber and you just need to place an empty package in a well hidden corner: the effect will be surprising. Another odor-eating ingredient is the potato: place a small piece on a shelf in the fridge, remembering to remove it before it starts to rot.
We have already talked about the deodorant effect of lemon, place a slice in a corner and replace it at least once a week. For an even more aromatic effect, you can also add a few cloves. There are scented odor-absorbing tabs on the marketto be placed in the refrigerator. You can also make them at home by mixing a cup of water with two cups of baking soda to which you have added 15 drops of lemon essential oil or a few drops of tea tree oil. Pour the mixture into the ice containers to have it already portioned or into a basin. Keep all the mixture in the fridge: you will always have your deodorant tabs available and bad smells will be just a memory.
