How to clean a refrigerator with vinegar: can the appliance be washed?

Cleaning a refrigerator seems like a simple task only at first glance. In fact, getting rid of old stubborn dirt and unpleasant odors is not as easy as it seems.

The most common table vinegar will help prevent the spread of bacteria, prevent the growth of mold, and remove unpleasant odors and stains . In this article we will tell you how to keep your device clean without resorting to expensive household chemicals.

Preparation

Absolutely all refrigeration devices, including no-frost systems, must be washed. Even if the refrigerator does not require defrosting, keeping it clean and washing it regularly is strictly necessary. Each housewife decides for herself how often to wash the device, but it is recommended to carry out general cleaning of the camera at least once a month.

Accessible surfaces must be wiped down every week.

To carry out general cleaning efficiently, the device should first be prepared:

Disconnect the device from the power supply.
Move the refrigerator away from the wall to gain access to the rear wall of the unit.
Remove all food, frozen foods and prepared meals from the refrigerator and freezer.

Conduct an audit of all provisions, getting rid of expired and spoiled semi-finished products, vegetables and fruits.
Remove the device from all removable shelves and trays.
Move all jars, containers and other items that need to be washed closer to the water tap.
If there is ice in the refrigerator, leave it to defrost for several hours. The device of the no-frost system is available for cleaning immediately after disconnecting from the network.

Important! All details for defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator must be indicated in the instructions for the device. Therefore, before carrying out work, read the documentation.

Black kitchen: pros and cons

Kitchens with black accents are quite rare. This means that by choosing this option, you automatically stand out and create a unique interior. Plus, black appliances are so glossy, they look stylish and modern.

However, household appliances made in black colors also have a number of disadvantages. For example, fingerprints, dust, dirt and traces of dried water drops may remain on it. Is it possible to solve this problem quickly and without much effort? Cleaning experts say you can do it in just three steps, and you can use the simplest cleaning products!

How to clean the inside from the smell?

A foul odor is the main problem of any refrigerator . The cause of “odors” is not only spoiled products, but also unscrupulous care of the unit’s chamber. If you do not remove drips, stains, crumbs from shelves and walls in a timely manner, unpleasant odors will not keep you waiting.

Table vinegar copes well with the problem - alone or in combination with soda.

Detailed instructions on how to clean a refrigerator so that it does not smell can be found in this article.

We use an aqueous solution

The main beneficial property of vinegar is as a disinfectant. Thanks to the acetic acid content, it destroys up to 90% of bacteria, viruses and mold - the main culprits of unpleasant odors.

Another useful property of vinegar is the fight against dust mites . Therefore, anyone suffering from dust allergies can use the detergent.

Wash the refrigerator not with pure vinegar, but with its aqueous solution:

Water at room temperature is mixed with vinegar in a 1 to 1 ratio.
Moisten a sponge or cloth in the resulting solution.
Wipe with a sponge all accessible surfaces of the device - inside and outside.
Without rinsing off the solution, leave it for a couple of hours so that it well “corrodes” all the dirt.
After the designated time has passed, treat the surfaces with a damp sponge, remove all dirt and wipe dry with a dry rag.

By the way, you can use vinegar to clean the microwave from burning and yellow stains.

Add soda

Sodium bicarbonate, or simply baking soda, is an effective cleaning agent in itself. It works as a mild abrasive, removing stains and dirt. But at the same time, it does not create scratches, leaving the enamel or metalized coating of the refrigerator clean and smooth.

In combination with vinegar, soda enhances its beneficial effect, acquiring disinfectant, deodorizing, cleaning and refreshing properties . When baking soda and vinegar are combined, a chemical reaction occurs, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide, which effectively removes stains and eliminates stench.

Only white table vinegar is suitable for cleaning. Wine and apple cider vinegar are not used for this purpose - they leave behind colored traces.

Due to the increased foaminess, it is recommended to prepare the soda-vinegar solution directly over the sink:

Pour a third of a glass of vinegar, half a liter of water into a large spray bottle and add 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
Screw on the spray bottle and the product is ready.
The solution is sprayed onto a rag or sponge, and then wiped over dirty surfaces.
If the stains are old, the solution can be left on the surface for 10-15 minutes, then rinsed off with a wet cloth and wiped dry.

Another option is to treat surfaces with a vinegar solution, and then rub off the stains with a slurry of soda.

You should first make sure that your refrigerator model is not prohibited from being washed with bicarbonate.

A solution of baking soda and vinegar can help fight mold in the refrigerator.

Can it be washed?

Washing your refrigerator with vinegar is not only possible, but necessary. Acetic acid is an excellent tool in the fight against unpleasant odors , persistent, stubborn stains.

Vinegar will preserve the gloss of surfaces and completely destroy fungi, mold, and bacteria.

You can wash any surface with vinegar, the only thing you should avoid is contact with rubber door seals (they may lose elasticity).

To preserve the structure of the rubber seals, after cleaning they must be carefully lubricated with vegetable oil.

Procedure

Everything is important when cleaning a refrigerator, including the order of actions. Step-by-step instruction:

Soak shelves, stands, trays and drawers in a large container with soapy water.
Clean the outside of the back wall of the refrigerator from dust using a brush or vacuum cleaner. If necessary, remove condensation from containers.

Using a sponge or damp cloth, wash all internal surfaces of the main and freezer compartments. You should linger in corners and hard-to-reach places where bacteria and mold love to live.
Clean the drain hole, which is often the main source of unpleasant odors. Rinse the canal with a cleaning or disinfectant solution using a medical bulb or a large syringe.
Clean the outer surface with soda, vinegar or any other household chemical. You can complete the process with glass washing liquid.
Wipe the rubber seal with an old toothbrush and toothpaste or baking soda. Do not tighten the seal too much, otherwise it will become deformed and will no longer maintain the tightness of the chamber.
Wipe all cleaned surfaces dry with a clean rag.
Wash soaked containers and shelves, wipe dry and put them back in their places.

Important! During the washing process, they move from the upper compartments to the lower ones and from the far walls to the near ones.

Alternative remedies

If you don’t have table vinegar on hand, you can clean the refrigerator using the following means:

Laundry soap

Fatty acids and alkali contained in soap help achieve maximum quality of the work done. For cleaning you need to prepare a soap solution .

To do this, dissolve laundry soap shavings in a small amount of water (the mass should be viscous).

Using a soft sponge, apply a soap solution to the walls of the refrigerator and rub with gentle movements. After five minutes, the soap is thoroughly rinsed off with clean water, after which the now clean household appliance is wiped dry with kitchen paper towels.

Ammonia

Effective in combating unpleasant odors, mold and mildew . In order to quickly bring the refrigerator into proper condition, all surfaces are treated with a solution of ammonia (35 ml of the product is dissolved in 350 ml).

The prepared composition is applied with a soft sponge, left for fifteen minutes, then washed off with warm water.

Lemon acid

Quickly deals with old stains and unpleasant odors . For cleaning, use a solution prepared from one liter of warm water and 2 tbsp. citric acid powder.

The ingredients are thoroughly mixed until the abrasive particles are completely dissolved. The refrigerator is washed with a soft sponge so as not to damage the gloss of the surfaces.

After cleaning, drawers, shelves, and doors are washed off with clean water and wiped dry. Before cleaning, you need to take care of protecting your hands - rubber household gloves.

You will find useful tips and tricks for cleaning your refrigerator in this section.

Prevention of odors

Odors will not appear if you keep the refrigerator clean on a regular basis:

immediately wipe up stains, spilled liquids, spilled food;
clean the back wall of condensation;
keep opened soft bags with milk and other liquids in special vertical containers;
defrost food in a separate wide bowl so that melt water does not drip onto the shelves;
store only dry jars and containers;
regularly sort through the contents and throw away any missing products;
Store dishes in closed containers or wrap them in cling film;
Once a week, wipe the walls and shelves with a cloth soaked in soapy water;
cover containers for vegetables with polyethylene, which will be easy to replace if dirty;
After general washing, if possible, leave the door open so that the odors completely disappear (do not turn on the device).

You might be interested in how to get rid of the smell in a multicooker.

Preparation of the solution - baking soda, citrus juice

A product made from sodium bicarbonate and citrus juice (lime, lemon) will help eliminate the unpleasant musty smell. The aromatic liquid also has excellent cleaning properties and will easily remove stubborn stains and stubborn grease stains.

Preparing detergent:

Pour water (1.5-2 l) into a container.
Add NaHCO3 (20 g) and stir.
Extract the juice using 2-3 citrus slices.
Use immediately; storage is not recommended.

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If the stains are too heavy, pour the juice in advance, leave for half an hour, and only then begin cleaning the surfaces.

Adviсe

A variety of available products that absorb odors well will help to refresh the space of the refrigerator compartment. They are laid out on shelves or kept in bowls.

What you can use:

black bread cut into pieces;
crushed activated carbon tablets;
a large portion of baking soda;
slices of fresh lemon (or any other citrus);
gauze bags with rice or sugar;
tea bags or homemade sachets with herbal tea;
vanilla extract in powder form.

You shouldn’t delay cleaning your refrigerator until unpleasant odors appear..

The more carefully you monitor the cleanliness of the device and the more often you carry out maintenance cleaning, the longer you will not need general cleaning.

Did our advice help you?

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Preparation of soda solution

It is not difficult to prepare a product based on baking soda, so you need to start the process after defrosting the freezer, just before washing. It is recommended to prepare the necessary equipment in advance - a sponge, a container for liquid, NaHCO3, a rag that absorbs moisture well.

Prepare a solution based on baking soda using a simple recipe:

Fill the container with warm water (2-3 l).
Add sodium bicarbonate (30-50 g).
Stir, making sure that the powder is completely dissolved.
Pour in vinegar (20 ml), stir.

Use a wooden stick for mixing (replace with a plastic one if necessary). It is not recommended to do this with your hands or metal tools.

Expert opinion

We recommend!

The process of preparing the soda solution and washing the kitchen unit is carried out using rubber gloves - this precaution will prevent irritation of sensitive skin. It is not recommended to change the proportions

If the smell in the refrigerator is too unpleasant, you can add lemon juice. The acidic liquid quickly neutralizes the problem, increases the capabilities of the product, helping to dissolve fat and dirt

It is not recommended to change the proportions. If the smell in the refrigerator is too unpleasant, you can add lemon juice. The acidic liquid quickly neutralizes the problem and increases the capabilities of the product, helping to dissolve fat and dirt.

How to remove different types of dirt from the surface of the refrigerator?

Fat

Fatty drops of animal and plant origin, soot and soot are perfectly washed off by dishwashing detergent:

Apply detergent to the sponge and lather a little;
wet the stains;
After 1-2 minutes, rub the fat with the hard part of a sponge or a brush with soft bristles. The main thing is to use a brush that is not too hard, otherwise there is a risk of scratching the coating - a toothbrush will do just fine;
if the stains do not respond, apply the product to them again;
When finished, clean the surface with clean water.

Yellowness

If the refrigerator has not been washed for a long time, its white parts turn yellow. There are several ways to deal with yellowness:

moisten a cloth in ethyl alcohol and wipe the area that has changed color. There is no need to keep the alcohol on the surface for a long time; it is better to repeat the procedure several times to get a greater effect;
You can use hydrogen peroxide 3%. Use in the same way as alcohol.

Mold

Most often, mold forms on the outside and inside of the sealing rubber. It will be convenient to remove it with a toothbrush or cotton swabs. Use hydrogen peroxide or table vinegar - they will help remove microorganisms that form mold.

Stickers

Traces left from tape and stickers can be removed using alcohol, vegetable oil or vinegar:

moisten a cotton pad or napkin and apply to the desired area. Wait 10 minutes;
drop dish detergent or soap onto a sponge, lather and scrub off any sticker residue;
Wash off the glue and soap residue with water.

Rust

Removed by using hydrogen peroxide 3% or baking soda slurry:

apply the product to the rust;
wait 20-30 minutes;
rub the stain with the hard side of a sponge or a soft brush - if it doesn’t rub off well, apply the product again.

To prevent rust from appearing again after removing the stain, you must wipe the surfaces of the device dry.

Periodic cleaning of the refrigerator

First, the refrigerator should be completely emptied of food and all expired or spoiled food should be thrown away. Food must be placed in a thermal bag to keep it cold. All removable parts inside the unit should be removed so that you can reach all the far corners of the refrigerator compartment. All parts must be washed with warm water and detergent.

The inside of the refrigerator should be washed with soapy water and vinegar or baking soda.

Place a clean cloth at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment to absorb any draining water. The dried parts need to be put back when they are completely dry. Particular attention should be paid to rubber seals: they must be thoroughly washed and dried well, and then applied a little oil to them and rubbed so that they remain soft.