Over time, the refrigerator may develop unpleasant odors. Stubborn food stains and various traces can also appear and prove particularly difficult to remove. However, there is no question of using harmful chemicals (bleach, wipes, etc.) which could come into contact with food, leave toxic residues on the shelves and compartments of the refrigerator and whose odor could permeate refrigerated foods. In addition, they are harmful to health and the planet. So, how to clean your dirty refrigerator in this case? In this article, we invite you to discover grandmother’s tips based on natural ingredients for cleaning, removing stains, deodorizing and disinfecting the fridge for economical and ecological cleaning with ingredients you already have at home.
With your homemade non-toxic cleaner, your fridge will be spotless for a long time.
1) What household products should you use to clean your refrigerator?
In terms of household products, there are several possible choices, all easily accessible in any large area or supermarket. Simply soak a clean cloth or sponge in it and start cleaning the walls and shelves of the fridge.
Soapy water to clean the refrigerator
Lukewarm or hot water with dishwashing liquid or black soap will be more than enough to clean the fridge. The soap will provide stain remover and degreaser effect very useful here.
White vinegar
The king of ecological cleaning products is ideal here, because it cleans, deodorizes and disinfects in one step. It can be used diluted in water (50/50) for a lightly soiled fridge or used pure, or even heated for a few seconds in the microwave for a very dirty household appliance.
Lemon juice
The lemon juice will present the same properties as vinegar and use the same. However, it has the advantage of having a much more pleasant smell. Plus, if you have half a lemon left unused, you can put it to good use.
Baking soda
The sodium bicarbonate will neutralize bad smell. It is also customary to leave some in a dish in the fridge to absorb unpleasant odors on a daily basis. It is also a natural disinfectant and fungicide very gentle, but also very effective. You can use it to sanitize the fridge and fight against mold that forms there. Simply dilute 3 tablespoons of this eco-friendly white powder in 40 cl of lukewarm or hot water.
Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree essential oil is a antibacterial very popular for the maintenance of all surfaces in the house. You can add a few drops directly to a damp sponge before rubbing for a natural disinfectant effect.
2) How to clean the refrigerator effectively?
Once you have chosen your cleaning product, you can proceed with cleaning by following a few steps.
1) Empty the fridge and keep food in a cooler. That will avoid breaking the cold chainespecially for sensitive and fragile foods such as meat and dairy products.
2) If possible, remove bins, drawers, shelves or racks to carry out their cleaning separately. It is in fact easier and more practical to clean them in the sink or in a bathtub, especially as this frees up space and allows better access to the walls. You can also clean the rest of the fridge while these items dry.
3) Clean the refrigerator starting from the top and not from below. Use a sponge or soft, lint-free cloth soaked in product here. Above all, avoid the scraper which could ruin the plastic of the device.
4) Furthermore, don’t forget to make the joints and the hole at the bottom of the refrigerator. An old toothbrush recycled into a household brush can be used for these more specific tasks.
5) When you have finished cleaning the interior, remember to clean the door. In fact, we tend to handle it with dirty or greasy hands. The kitchen is also often a messy room, hence the importance of doing the outside well too.
6) Finally, you can also empty the bin at the back and clean the dirt inside.
3) Keep a refrigerator clean for longer
Organize your food well
Use trays, baskets, storage boxes or bins to group similar items such as dairy, raw meats and vegetables. This prevents spills and debris from spreading and makes cleanup easier. When storing fresh food in the refrigerator, also place the older articles forward to consume them first. This helps prevent food from being forgotten and spoiling, which can also cause unpleasant odors.
Careful storage means less need to clean the refrigerator
When storing food, remove unnecessary or excessive packaging from the supermarket. Bulky boxes and bulky plastic packaging are indeed germ nests. If possible, instead transfer food to airtight food-grade glass or plastic containers to prevent leaks and odors. In addition, you can put a laminated placemat at the bottom of the vegetable drawer to limit dirt. It will be easy to move and clean if necessary.
Regular cleaning planned on a calendar
Schedule a thorough cleaning of your refrigerator at least once every fortnight. This will make stain removal easier and bad odors or difficult residues will not have the opportunity to become encrusted. In addition, sort regularly. Every month or so, go through the items in the refrigerator and throw out any items that are expired, covered in mold, or no longer consumable. This will free up space and prevent bad food from accumulating.
Clean up spills in the refrigerator immediately
If there is an accidental spill or leak inside the device, clean everything immediately. This will prevent liquids from building up and causing stubborn odors or stains.