How to wash?

The functioning of the refrigerator in normal mode allows you to keep food fresh longer and protect your household from food poisoning.

To ensure uninterrupted operation, it is enough to follow the rules of location, operation and maintenance. Recommendations from professionals will help you quickly carry out all stages of cleaning without endangering the unit and the owner.

Read the article on how to properly clean the refrigerator inside and out.

How to properly prepare a refrigerator for cleaning at home?

Before general cleaning you must:

1. Prepare rubber gloves, detergent, sponge or cloth, and a clean towel.
2. Set the thermostat to zero position.
3. Unplug the refrigerator.
4. Empty shelves of contents.
5. Remove removable parts.
6. Soak them in warm soapy water for 20 minutes.

It is not recommended to wash the household appliance while it is in working condition. Warm air from outside provokes the formation of condensation, and later ice. The exception is two-chamber refrigerators, in which only one chamber can be turned off.

The next stage is defrosting. If you need to quickly remove local dirt or unpleasant odors, it is not required.Refrigerators with a No Frost system must be turned off and defrosted no more than once every six months.

How to quickly defrost?

The process will take from 1 to 6 hours, the time depends on the model. It can be used to clean removable parts.

To free the unit from frost, you must complete 3 steps:

1. Cover the floor next to the refrigerator with a cloth to protect it from moisture.
2. Open and lock the door as far as possible.
3. Place a basin at the bottom of the refrigerator into which melt water will flow.

Natural defrosting is preferable, but If time is limited, the following will help speed up the process:

• a saucepan with boiling water, it must be placed on a stand inside the chamber and the door closed;
• hair dryer, streams of hot air must be directed to the surface covered with frost, bypassing the cooling tubes;
• an air heater with a fan placed next to the refrigerator at a safe distance.

How and with what to clean after defrosting?

Removing a fresh stain or spilled product is easy, which cannot be said about general cleaning of the refrigerator. It is carried out from top to bottom, requiring special attention in hard-to-reach places (corners, recesses).

Consistent surface treatment will help you not to miss important details:

1. Capacitor. Located on the back wall of the unit, where a lot of dust accumulates. You can use a long narrow brush or vacuum cleaner.
2. Drainer. Requires cleaning and disinfection with detergents.
3. Drainage. A small brush will help to clean it.
4. Walls. A cleaning solution and a soft sponge will help.
5. Seal. Particles that have accumulated in it must be removed with a toothbrush, and the rubber surface should be wiped with a cloth soaked in warm water.

At the final stage it is necessary:

• treat the inner surface with a dry, clean towel;
• clean the outer walls and the door of the unit with the same product;
• leave it open until the chamber is completely dry;
• return removable parts to their place;
• place products;
• turn on the device.

Folk recipes

To prepare cleaning solutions at home, you can use inexpensive components:

1. Vinegar. Effectively cleans and disinfects surfaces and eliminates unpleasant odors. To prepare the solution, mix 3 tbsp. l. product with 1 liter of water.
2. Soda. Cleans, whitens, neutralizes odors. You need to add 2 tbsp. l. powder in 500 ml of warm water and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Lemon juice. Acts on the surface like the previous components. After squeezing the citrus fruits, 2 tbsp. l. liquids must be mixed with water.
4. Ammonia. It is recommended to add 30 ml of product to 300 ml of water. The solution is used for washing surfaces after defrosting.
5. Soap. To prepare detergent, it is better to use household detergent; it must be foamed in warm water.

The solutions are used in the same way. Apply to the surface for 15-20 minutes and wash off with a clean damp sponge.

Household chemicals

The Russian market offers universal and industrial disinfectants that are available in the form:

• gels;
• sprays;
• napkins.

Popular Products:

1. “Clean refrigerator” – a foamy spray based on surfactants and alcohol from the Russian company Luxus.

   Effectively removes foreign odors and contaminants of various origins. Economical and safe to use. Price - from 130 rubles.

2. "EdelWeiss" – a universal water-alcohol based refrigerator spray detergent of domestic production. Removes organic contaminants, aromatizes and leaves no streaks. Price - 200 rub.
3. "Topper" – antibacterial spray from a German manufacturer for the internal and external surfaces of the refrigerator. Indispensable for preventing the appearance of microorganisms and bacteria, combating major types of pollution. Price - from 185 rubles.

To clean the refrigerator with any of the presented products, you need to spray it on the surface and after a few seconds wipe with a dry soft cloth. Solutions do not require rinsing with water. For persistent stains, it is recommended to apply them for 20-30 minutes for a deeper effect.

Disposable wet wipes are convenient for neutralizing local contamination. For example, House Lux from the Russian company Avangard.

Check out the best refrigerator cleaning products Here.

Can I use a steam cleaner?

The surfaces of the refrigerator are resistant to high temperatures, so the device can be used for cleaning.

The method has a number of advantages:

• carried out without household chemicals;
• allows you to remove all types of contaminants;
• destroys bacteria and microbes;
• saves time and money.

How often should I clean?

To keep your household appliance clean and prevent the formation of a thick layer of frost and an unpleasant odor, comprehensive care required:

• remove stains, drips, and wipe the handle daily;
• get rid of stale food weekly;
• defrost and do general cleaning quarterly.

Refrigerators with an automatic No Frost system also need to be defrosted every 6 months.

In order for the unit to last longer, you must carefully study the operating instructions. from the manufacturer, including a section on defrosting frequency, and follow the recommendations.

Units with No Frost system

The presence of the “No Frost” function allows you to carry out general cleaning no more than 1-2 times a year. The refrigerator defrosts automatically, which saves housewives from unnecessary effort.

Just choose a cool day and after turning off the device, follow a few steps:

1. Wait for the inner surface to cool to room temperature.
2. Clean the ventilation compartments, it is convenient to use hygiene sticks.
3. Thoroughly wash surfaces, removable parts, and hard-to-reach places.
4. Wipe the unit dry with a clean towel.
5. Return the components to their place.
6. Connect the refrigerator to power.

No Frost will tell you more about the rules for cleaning the refrigerator this article.

New household appliance

Before first use, the unit must be washed. To do this, just thoroughly treat all surfaces and components with a soda solution (its recipe is described above) and wipe dry.

It is not recommended to turn on the power immediately after delivery and processing; it should be left at rest for 1-6 hours.

He will tell you about cleaning a new refrigerator before turning it on. this publication.

Features of the choice of compositions for cleaning surfaces outside and inside

The internal and external surfaces of the refrigerator are made of different materials, so you need to choose cleaning products carefully.

For a metal case with a protective coating, the following cannot be used:

• abrasives,
• hard lips,
• brushes

This may cause mechanical damage. Polymer (plastic) surfaces do not tolerate contact with industrial concentrates that contain aggressive substances (alkali, acid). Moreover, these components are not recommended for use in food storage areas.

The inside and outside of the refrigerator perform different functions, which leads to specific problems and contamination.

Read about cleaning the outside of the refrigerator in this article.

3 ways to remove a sticker

It is better to get rid of advertising stickers immediately; the surface may turn yellow if it is in contact with the glue for a long time. Budget methods will help with this:

1. Prepare a detergent solution. Heat the sticker with a hairdryer, soak a cloth in the solution and clean the surface with it.
2. You can remove sticker residues and traces of it with vegetable oil or acetone. Moisten cotton wool or a napkin, generously treat the surface, wait, then wipe off.
3. Treat the sticker with a detergent without aggressive components and let it dry. Use a school eraser to remove the sticker.

After all manipulations, you need to wipe the surface of the refrigerator first with a damp, then dry sponge or rag.

Housewives who prefer professional cleaning products can use SA8 Solutions spray, which will easily cope with the task.

Read more about ways to clean your refrigerator from stickers. here.

Foreign odors

An unpleasant aroma in the inner chamber may appear due to improper storage of food. or clogged drainage system. It is necessary to find out the cause, eliminate it and use special means to get rid of the problem.

Industrial fresheners and absorbers

To eliminate odors in the refrigerator, you cannot use devices and means that are not designed to be safely adjacent to food. Air fresheners for rooms, cars, and furniture are absolutely not suitable.

Effective for the prevention and control of unpleasant odors:

1. Gel granules. Placed in a compact plastic container that is placed on shelves or in the refrigerator door. Validity period: 3-4 months.
2. Indicator egg. They absorb foreign odors using a carbon filter and change color when the temperature in the unit changes. Validity period: 45 days.
3. Ionizer. The device is not battery operated and can be used once a day for 15 minutes.

Read about methods and means of removing odors inside the refrigerator in this section.

Available means

Treating the camera with a solution will help get rid of the problem:

• apple cider vinegar;
• ammonia;
• lemon juice.

Absorbing properties have:

• salt crystals;
• crushed activated carbon;
• baking soda.

One of the products needs to be poured into a small container and placed in the inner chamber.

Yellowness

The plastic lining of the inner chamber may turn yellow over time. The problem can also arise on the outer coating, for example, due to constant exposure to ultraviolet rays.

The following will help restore the whiteness inside the unit:

1. Laundry soap, grate it on a coarse grater, add a small amount of water, apply the slurry to the surface for half an hour, and rinse thoroughly.
2. Lemon juice is effective for fresh stains with a small area.
3. Hydrogen peroxide, which must be applied to the surface three times and rinsed off.

Any product is suitable for the external surface, including special industrial solutions with a gentle composition. You can find out how to clean a refrigerator from yellowness Here.

Mold

The fungus most often appears in the folds of the rubber seal and wet surfaces. You can remove characteristic dark spots using:

• soap solution;
• ammonia;
• soda solution.

The latter has disinfecting properties, and therefore serves as a preventive measure for the recurrence of the problem.

Use all products equally. Necessary:

1. Soak cotton wool or sponge in liquid.
2. Carefully treat the affected area.
3. Leave for half an hour.
4. Remove residues with a clean damp cloth.
5. Dry to remove any remaining moisture.

He will tell you more about removing mold in the refrigerator. this article.

Fat

Old grease stains have a hard structure and must first be softened. Suitable for this purpose:

• soda solution;
• vinegar;
• industrial detergents for washing dishes or ovens.

If, after softening, not all stains are removed with a sponge, each one must be treated locally.

Advice from professionals

Not all products are suitable for cleaning the external and internal surfaces of the refrigerator. It is not recommended to use:

1. Chlorine, acid and abrasive products. They can damage the coating of the unit, which will lead to rust, cracks and deformation.
2. Concentrated solutions that are not intended for cleaning the refrigerator. For example, from “Whiteness”, the coating will turn yellow or become covered with stains that cannot be removed.
3. Brushes with hard bristles, metal scrapers, abrasive sponges, the use of which will lead to mechanical damage to the coating.

Conclusion

Maintaining your refrigerator is an important task. He takes care of the health of family members by keeping food fresh.

Timely removal of contaminants, choosing gentle and effective means for cleaning it, and following operating instructions will allow you to avoid large expenditures of effort, time, and money on its general cleaning and repair.