How to clean a refrigerator inside and out: 30 best home remedies

Regardless of the model, the refrigerator requires regular maintenance.
When cleaning, not only dirt is eliminated, but also unpleasant odors. To maintain the hygienic condition of the refrigerator, you can use one of the special products purchased.

We will tell you in the article what detergents to choose for cleaning the refrigerator inside and outside, and how to use them correctly.

How to properly clean a refrigerator

The refrigerator requires constant maintenance of all chambers. Be sure to keep the outside of the unit clean:

The entire space of the refrigerator is cleared of contents. Frozen and perishable foods should be moved to a cool place. Spoiled food should be thrown away.
The device is disconnected from the network.
All removable elements are pulled out and taken to the bathroom for further washing.
Open all doors and wait for complete defrosting.
First, wipe off the dust. Be sure to go through all areas, including the capacitor.
Water from the defrosted ice is poured from the pan.
Use a suitable product to clean the refrigerator inside and out.
Wait for the surfaces to dry completely.
Return all products to their original places.

If the recommendations and consistent actions are followed, no problems in care should arise.

Proper defrosting

In models with a drip system, the refrigerator compartment does not participate in the defrosting process, but it must be washed. The freezer needs to be defrosted. 8-12 hours to defrost ice .

In 1.5 hours you can defrost the freezer using hot water . The pan with it is placed in the chamber and the door is closed. Every 15 minutes the water is replaced with hot water. Boiling water cannot be used.

To make the process go faster, many use hot water poured into a spray bottle . It is sprayed onto the ice. But in this case, the amount of water in the pan that will have to be collected will increase.

There are special products available for defrosting freezers . They are sprayed onto the ice, left for 10 minutes, then the water is collected.

Do not chip off the ice, otherwise the seal of the evaporator will be broken. The plastic spatula included in the kit is not intended for crushing ice during defrosting, but for collecting thawed pieces and loose snow.

Manufacturers of refrigerators with No Frost claim that they do not need defrosting, but annual thawing is necessary for such equipment. Ice can accumulate on the evaporator, obstructing air flow and preventing it from being evenly distributed. Such a device is disconnected from the network, washed, wiped dry, and the door is left open for 3-4 hours. If the back wall of the freezer is clean and dry, then there is no ice on the evaporator. The presence of condensation on the back wall indicates insufficient thawing; the refrigerator must still be left open. After drying, the equipment should work for about 1 hour, then you can arrange the food.

We use folk remedies

Folk recipes contain components that can be found in every home. They are safe and inexpensive.

Vinegar solution

Vinegar removes dirty stains of any complexity, disinfects the surface and removes odors:

Vinegar is diluted with water. The components are taken in equal quantities.
Treat the surface with the resulting composition using a sponge.
In heavily contaminated areas, leave the composition for 6 minutes.

Soda

Soda solution copes well with stains:

Dissolve soda in warm water.
Soak a sponge in the solution and wipe all the walls of the refrigerator.

A positive property of this product is the ability to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

Ammonia

A composition based on ammonia is effective. The component copes well with dirt, disinfects surfaces and removes odors:

35 ml of ammonia is dissolved in 350 ml of water.
The composition is applied to the walls of the refrigerator with a sponge or clean cloth.
In case of heavy contamination, leave the mixture for 14 minutes.

Lemon juice or citric acid

Lemon juice or essence can quickly remove dirty stains and unpleasant odors in a short period of time. Lemon juice should be dissolved in water and the walls of the unit should be treated with the solution.

Citric acid is often chosen to clean the refrigerator:

the component is diluted with water;
use a sponge soaked in the composition to wipe all parts;
if necessary, leave the composition for 8 minutes;
then rinse the walls with clean water.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste can easily clean even the dirtiest areas. Apply a small amount of paste to the sponge. It is advisable to choose a paste without abrasive components. The composition is applied to the stains and after 3 minutes wiped with a damp cloth.

Chemicals

On store shelves there is a wide range of products designed to clean the surface of the refrigerator from various contaminants.

Magic Power

You can wash the refrigerator from all sides with Magic Power cleaning liquid. The product simultaneously destroys germs and prevents the appearance of mold. The composition is odorless, non-toxic and does not leave streaks on the surface.

Top House

The Top House product can quickly remove any kind of dirty stains from the surface of all cameras. The components carefully care for all parts, remove grease stains, destroy pathogenic microorganisms, and eliminate strong odors. After cleaning, there is no need to rinse the surface with clean water.

Topper

Effective liquid for refrigerators "Topperr" returns cleanliness and shine to the entire surface. It has antibacterial protection, eliminates odors and removes stains of any complexity. Cleaning your refrigerator is easy with this product. It is enough to spray the composition evenly and wait 2 minutes. Then wipe all the walls with a clean rag. There are no streaks or streaks left after cleaning.

Electrolux

The Electrolux product will help you clean your refrigerator in a short period of time. The composition is easy to apply with a convenient spray nozzle. The spray is odorless, leaves no streaks and does not damage the surface. Immediately after application, begin wiping with a dry cloth.

Luxus Clean refrigerator

Cleaning with Luxus Professional A clean refrigerator will not take much time. The product easily removes all types of dirty deposits, eliminates strong odors, prevents the spread of germs, and does not leave dirty streaks or scratches. Based on safe herbal ingredients.

Sano Refrigerator Cleaner

The product can clean any dirty stains from the surface without using water. Eliminates unpleasant odors and has an antibacterial effect. The product is sprayed all over the walls and wiped off with a napkin.

Bon

All refrigerator compartments can be successfully cleaned using Bon. Quickly removes any, even stubborn dirt. Destroys bacteria, prevents the formation of mold, eliminates odors, does not leave streaks and does not scratch the surface.

Sidolux Professional

The product easily removes dirt, eliminates odors and reduces the risk of microbial growth. After cleaning, a film remains on the surface that repels dirt. The walls of the device are sprayed with liquid and left for two minutes. Then the composition is washed off with a damp sponge.

Helfer

The product copes with various dirty deposits. It is convenient to apply to the surface and there is no need to wait for the composition to take effect. Simply wipe with a damp cloth and leave until completely dry.

Zumman

It is convenient to maintain your refrigerator with a whole range of Zumman products. The kit includes the cleaning agent itself, an odor absorber and microfiber cloths. The product stops the spread of germs. The composition is sprayed onto the surface and wiped off with a napkin after three minutes.

Edelweiss

The washing liquid does not contain alkali or acids, so no additional protection is required during operation. The product is sprayed evenly onto the walls and shelves and wiped off with a cloth after 30 seconds. After treatment, there are no traces left, no chemical smell, and the surface is not damaged.

Tortilla Eco

An effective product for refrigerator care is Tortilla Eco. The composition has an antibacterial effect and does not require rinsing with water. It is enough to spray a small amount of the product and then wipe with a dry cloth. If the contamination is severe, then it is advisable to leave the composition for 1.5 minutes.

EFSTO product

You can quickly clean your refrigerator with EFSTO. There are no abrasive components in the composition, so cleaning is gentle, without streaks or scratches. The entire surface is sprayed with liquid and wiped with a napkin.

Limpiya

An effective product designed to clean the surface of the refrigerator inside and out. The composition disinfects and deodorizes the surface, destroys pathogenic microorganisms. The product wipes off easily, without streaks or stains.

Denkmit Feuchte

Disinfecting wet wipes are used for daily care of all refrigerator parts. Use a napkin to wipe all walls and shelves. The only drawback is the rather high price.

House Lux

You can quickly clean your refrigerator using House Lux wipes. The active ingredients can remove even old grease stains. After treatment with napkins, you need to wipe the surface with a clean damp cloth.

The best refrigerators according to customer reviews

ATLANT XM 4214-000

Autonomous cold storage – up to 16 hours;
compact but roomy;
quiet work.

Prices in online stores

ATLANT XM 4208-000

Retains cold during power outages;
reversible doors;
price-quality ratio.

Prices in online stores

ATLANT XM 4011-022

low noise level;
keeps cold up to 17 hours;
build quality.

Prices in online stores

Bosch KGV36NL1AR

“Super Freeze” mode
spacious;
designed to operate in conditions from +10 to +38 0С.

Prices in online stores

LG DoorCooling+ GA-B509CQWL

silent operation;
installation close to the wall;
total volume – 384 l.

Prices in online stores

Samsung RT-22 HAR4DSA

No Frost in both chambers;
energy consumption class A+;
Ice maker included.

Prices in online stores

Samsung RB-30 J3000WW

freezing capacity – 13 kg/day;
suitable for operation under conditions from +10 to +38 0С;
combination of compactness and spaciousness.

Prices in online stores

Hotpoint-Ariston HF 9201 B RO

operation in regions with any climatic conditions;
availability of necessary functions;
build quality.

Prices in online stores

ATLANT ХМ 4426-000 N

convenient internal equipment;
quality of materials;
modern design.

Prices in online stores

LG DoorCooling+ GA-B509 PBAZ

zero clearance;
operation in conditions from +10 to +38 0С;
control from a smartphone.

Prices in online stores

Liebherr CN 4015

quiet operation;
thoughtful interior equipment;
reversible doors.

Prices in online stores

Liebherr CUel 2831

stainless steel housing;
Autonomous cold storage – up to 25 hours;
build quality.

Prices in online stores

Stinol STS 150

reversible doors;
quiet operation;
cools well.

Prices in online stores

Biryusa 649

spacious;
powerful cooling;
convenient internal equipment.

Prices in online stores

Eliminating unpleasant odors

The fight against unpleasant odor is carried out using both folk remedies and chemicals.

Lather

To work, you will need any soap that is at home. It is best to choose laundry soap:

Soap is immersed in warm water and foamed.
Apply the composition with a sponge to the walls of the refrigerator.
It will take 14 minutes for all contaminants to be removed.
Then all that remains is to wash the foam with clean water and wipe the surface with a clean cloth.

If there is severe contamination, then the soap is ground on a grater. The chips are poured with water until a paste forms. The mixture is applied to dirty spots and left for 11 minutes.

Toothpaste

Old stains of dirt and strong odors can be eliminated with toothpaste:

The paste is applied to a sponge and distributed evenly over all walls.
After 16 minutes, wipe the composition with a damp sponge.

Cider

Apple cider will quickly remove the glue from the sticker. Eliminates pungent odors and cleans the surface from dirty deposits:

Dissolve 200 ml of cider in one liter of water.
Moisten a sponge in the prepared solution and wipe the walls of the unit.
Then wipe off the product with a damp, clean sponge.

Fresheners and aroma absorbers

Since different foods are stored in the refrigerator, an unpleasant odor may appear even with regular cleaning. All odors collide with each other, mix and as a result the refrigerator begins to smell unpleasant. To eliminate odors and prevent their occurrence, various means and methods are used.

Gel granules

Granules are plastic containers containing gel compounds. The device removes all odors without changing the aroma of the products. The effect of the granules lasts for three months. The absorber is installed on the door or wall of the refrigerator.

Indicator egg

This device not only neutralizes unpleasant odors, but also gives a signal in the event of a sharp change in temperature inside the refrigerator. When the temperature increases, the device turns blue, and when it decreases, it turns white.

Strong odors are eliminated using a carbon filter. Its effect lasts for 1.5 months.

Dispensary neutralizer

There is a carbon filter inside the plastic case. The device lasts for 5 months. It contains only safe components, so it can be installed near products.

Ionizer

The device runs on batteries. It is not necessary to keep it in the refrigerator all the time. 14 minutes a day is enough. The ionizer not only eliminates odors, but also prevents food from spoiling quickly.

Household chemicals for cleaning the refrigerator

The most common product people use when cleaning their refrigerator is dish soap. But using it is not always effective, and it is also quite problematic to wash it off at the end of the procedure.

In this regard, manufacturers have released many special products: wipes, sprays, gels, etc. They can simply help wash away dirt or even be disinfectant and have an antibacterial effect.

Edel Weiss product

Solution produced in Russia. Used for cleaning microwave ovens, refrigerators and freezers.

There is a spray bottle that can apply the product in the form of foam and solution. You need to spray it onto a previously dried surface, and after 30 seconds wipe it with a cloth.

Advantages of Edel Weiss:

copes with different types of pollution;
The pH of the solution is zero, which means that there are no alkaline or acidic bases in the composition;
moderate aroma - after cleaning there will be no smell of chemicals;
economical consumption.

It is better to store the product in an upright position to maintain the seal of the package.

Top House

Includes a kit to remove all kinds of stains. German production. It is used not only for cleaning refrigerators, but also car refrigerators.

There are sets of two and three. “Two” contains washing liquid and cotton-viscose fabric measuring 32x32 cm. “Troika” is supplemented with a gel filler that absorbs unpleasant odors.

Features of TopHouse:

copes with old dirt and grease;
kills bacteria and absorbs unwanted odors;
does not have to be washed off;
used for washing refrigerator seals;
at the end there is a shine;
a special structure of the napkin that removes remaining dirt without extra effort.

Napkins House Lux

Used for quick cleaning of refrigerators, air fryers, ovens and microwaves.

The product copes well with old greasy stains. When applied to the surface, a certain amount of foam solution appears - the effect of “active foam” is obtained. At the end, just wipe the device with a damp cloth to complete the cleaning:

does not harm the skin of the hands;
nice smell;
economical consumption;
long shelf life – 3 years;
small price.

There is an in no way inferior Russian-made analogue - .

Cleaner “My Sweet Home” from Limpiya.

It is a can of spray foam that also kills germs.

The foam is sprayed onto the stains for 3-15 minutes, the time is calculated depending on the age of the contamination. Finally wipe with a damp cloth:

cleans food residues well;
no pungent odor;
no divorces.

The only negative: it is difficult to find on sale.

Napkins Denkmit Feuchte

Mainly used for quick cleaning. High quality German production, which is popular among consumers:

eliminate dirt and unwanted odors;
can be used to clean the refrigerator not only inside, but also outside.

Disadvantage: price.

Spray foam “Clean refrigerator” from Luxus

cleans glass, metal and plastic elements;
removes grease, stains from vegetables and fruits, traces of meat and fish well;
safe because consists of plant extracts. It comes in three flavors: grapefruit, mint and lime.

For minor stains, simply apply the product and immediately wipe the refrigerator dry. For deeper cleaning, the instructions recommend holding the foam for 5 minutes.

Refrigerator cleaner from Light House

Used for cleaning the refrigerator compartment and the outside of the housing:

does not have to be washed off with water;
economical consumption and low price;
pleasant aroma.

Apply to dirt for 2 minutes, then wipe off easily with a sponge.

EFSTO

To use this product, you must wear rubber gloves and a mask, because The product contains chlorine derivatives:

without abrasive components - does not damage surfaces;
washes off effortlessly.

Before first use

Before using a newly purchased device, it must be washed. It is important to remove contaminants that appeared during transportation. Care is carried out using household chemicals or using folk recipes:

Before turning on, wipe all walls and shelves with a dry cloth.
Then prepare a solution from the selected product.
The sponge is moistened in the solution and all surfaces are wiped.
Rinse with clean water and wait until completely dry.

Cleaning and disinfection inside the refrigerator: important prevention against dangerous intestinal diseases

Probably, of all household appliances, the refrigerator has the honorable title of “the hardest worker”: it must work without failures or breakdowns throughout its entire service life. But, like any equipment, it needs timely care. Admit it, how long has it been since you cleaned it?

photo: Unsplash

The biggest danger lurking in the unwashed insides of your refrigerator is Listeria monocytogenes. This is the name of the bacteria that cause listeriosis, a disease that is fatal to humans. Unlike most bacteria, they are perfectly adapted to low temperatures.

According to Sean Henley, a nutrition expert at the University of Maryland, “Children under 5, pregnant women and older adults over 65 are generally at risk for foodborne illnesses. To protect yourself from ailments of this kind, the optimal refrigerator cleaning schedule is weekly.”

Sounds threatening, doesn't it?

On the other hand, regularly cleaning your food storage also makes practical sense. When you have a large family and the refrigerator is packed to capacity, no one is able to remember what is stored in it. Constant monitoring and revision of food supplies is an excellent way to save money. So as not to buy and spend too much.

First of all, it is necessary to monitor the freshness of meat and dairy products; they are the ones most often associated with listeria. It is important to maintain the temperature between 0-5°C to stop the development of microbes and food spoilage.

Features of cleaning a camera with the No frost system

If the refrigerator is equipped with the No Frost system, then the formation of snow deposits on the walls is not observed. But it is still necessary to defrost the chambers every six months. The unit is turned off from the network, all walls are wiped inside and out with a cleaning agent, and wait until it dries completely.

Recommendations

Some tips will help keep all refrigerator compartments clean, without the formation of dirty, difficult to wash off deposits. If stains do appear, they begin to be removed before general washing of the device.

Cleaning the freezer

The freezer requires careful care. After defrosting, wipe all drawers and walls with a damp cloth. To disinfect the surface, use a solution of ammonia. Ammonia is dissolved in water. Soak a sponge in the finished mixture and wipe the chamber.

Grease and dirt

You can remove traces of grease and dirt using dishwashing gel:

Dissolve the cleaning agent in warm water.
Apply the composition to dirty areas with a sponge.
For the components to take effect, leave the composition for 4 minutes.
The dirtiest areas are wiped with a brush.
Then it remains to rinse off the product with clean water.

Mold

Traces of mold often appear on rubber. Solutions based on ammonia and acetic acid will help get rid of them:

The selected component is diluted with water.
Apply the composition to the damaged area with a sponge.
It is better to clean the folds of the seal with a toothbrush.

The seals and walls of the refrigerator can be cleaned of mold from Domestos or Beliznoy.

Rust

Rust stains and old deposits inside the refrigerator can be easily removed by solutions based on baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. If rust appears on the door, it is better to paint the area with suitable paint.

Yellowness

The outside of the refrigerator and the white removable parts begin to turn yellow over time. Products such as bleach or stain remover will help you cope with yellowness. Among folk recipes, compositions based on vinegar, soda, and hydrogen peroxide are effective. The selected component is applied to a sponge and wiped all surfaces of the device.

Stickers and glue marks

Sticky marks from stickers or tape can be easily cleaned with vinegar, alcohol or vegetable oil:

the selected product is applied to a cotton pad;
impregnate the adhesive surface with the composition;
it takes 8 minutes for the component to act on a dirty area;
you need to soap the sponge and wipe the problem area with it;
then all that remains is to rinse the area with clean water and wipe dry.

Work order

Emptying the refrigerator from its contents . Before taking decisive action, you should set the thermostat to the “defrost” mode. If there is no such option, then you need to remove the plug from the socket. All products from the “freezer” are transferred to a basin and, if possible, sprinkled with ice. In parallel with this, the removable elements are dismantled.
Defrosting . To speed up the process, you can place a bowl of hot water in the freezer. If the structure does not include a tray for collecting melt water, then a towel should be placed at the bottom of the “freezer”. To get rid of ice, it is prohibited to use knives or other sharp objects.
Wet cleaning . Apply detergent to contaminated surfaces, wait a little and wipe with a soft cloth or sponge. In the presence of severe contamination, treatment is carried out with creamy cleaning agents. Seals cannot be treated with aggressive substances such as vinegar, because this will cause them to crack. They should be wiped first with a damp and then with a dry cloth. The drainage hole is cleaned with a special brush.
Washing removable elements . The procedure should be performed in the bathroom, using suitable cleaning agents and detergents. The parts must be completely dry before installation.
Cleaning the external surface . First, dust should be eliminated, and only after that various cleaners are used. Close attention is paid to the door and handle.
Drying . This is a natural process that lasts 15-20 minutes. After its completion, all products, with the exception of spoiled ones, are returned to their place. Afterwards, the unit is connected to the electrical network.

Before first use, be sure to clean the refrigerator to prevent the appearance of a persistent “chemical” smell. To do this, you can use “store-bought” or home remedies. The most popular among housewives are a solution of soda (2 tablespoons per 3 liters of warm water) and a solution of 9% vinegar (1 teaspoon per 3 liters of water).

Care Tips

Proper care of your refrigerator will extend its life and keep food fresh for a long time:

Every day you need to inspect the products stored in the refrigerator.
Every 7-8 days the room is cleaned without defrosting; just remove all the food.
To prevent odor, you need to store baking soda or activated carbon inside.
Wet cleaning is always carried out after turning off the unit from the network.
Do not use preparations containing abrasive components.

Rules for keeping the refrigerator clean

Twice a month you need to “conduct an audit” in order to check the shelf life of products and remove everything that has already spoiled and become moldy. Canned food in cans (opened) deserves special attention. Ideally, immediately after opening the cans, the canned food is transferred to a glass container with a lid.
Fish and meat products should be stored in hermetically sealed containers.
The shelf life of prepared food is no more than three days. Particular attention is paid to protein products.
To organize the space of the refrigeration unit, you should acquire plastic containers and baskets (preferably transparent).
To avoid the appearance of “aroma”, do not fill the refrigerator “to capacity”. The air must circulate!
Odor neutralizers - homemade or industrially manufactured - must be used for their intended purpose.
During general cleaning, it is imperative to clean the melt water drain.