November 6, 2024, 11:48 am | Read time: 3 minutes
You should periodically empty and thoroughly clean your refrigerator. But how often is “periodically”? And which cleaning agents are suitable for cleaning the fridge? myHOMEBOOK explains the best approach and what to keep in mind in this article.
Hygiene is important in the kitchen, in all areas. However, one area often overlooked during kitchen cleaning is the refrigerator. It’s obvious that the fridge should be cleaned regularly, as it stores food. Admittedly, it can be a hassle to remove all the food, but the cleaning process itself is not that complicated.
Overview
Preparing for Cleaning
To thoroughly clean the fridge, all food must be removed first. They can be temporarily stored in a cooler or a cool place like the basement or balcony (depending on the outside temperature). It’s important not to break the cold chain for fish and meat.
Once the fridge is empty, you can turn it off and unplug it. If the fridge has a freezer compartment, this is the perfect time to defrost it as well. Learn more about that here. The first step is to clean the back of the fridge and the area where it stands from dirt and dust. Simply pull it forward a bit and vacuum both the appliance and the floor area.
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Which Cleaning Agents Are Suitable for Cleaning the Fridge?
Refrigerators should not be cleaned with chemical agents. Chemical cleaners can leave residues that come into contact with food. If you think you can avoid this by wiping thoroughly, a residual risk remains.
Instead, home remedies like lemon juice concentrate or vinegar essence combined with water are recommended. For 100 ml of cleaning solution, 200 ml of water is needed.
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Cleaning the Fridge–A 6-Step Guide
Once the cleaning solution is mixed, proceed as follows:
- Remove loose parts like shelves, drawers, or trays from the fridge and rinse them with warm water and dish soap. Then dry them thoroughly.
- Next, thoroughly wipe the interior walls and all joints and crevices.
- The fridge seals also need cleaning. However, you should use regular dish soap and warm water for this, as vinegar and lemon would damage the rubber.
- Then wipe everything again with just water and dry well.
- It’s best to leave the fridge open for a few hours after cleaning to let it air out.
- Only then can it be turned back on and the food restocked.
How Often Should You Clean the Fridge?
A thorough cleaning should be done every four to six weeks. If something spills or sticks, the fridge must be cleaned immediately to prevent bacteria or mold from settling.