It's true that it's tempting to put off cleaning the fridge ...
However, we don't eat from a dirty plate and we shouldn't store food in a dirty fridge either!
In the same logic, the products you use to clean it are just as important.
Indeed, aggressive products such as bleach can be absorbed by your food...
It should therefore never be used to clean a refrigerator.
Fortunately, here is the most effective method to clean a very dirty fridge in just 6 steps and without using j avel .
Don't worry, all you need is white vinegar. Watch:
When you take food out of the refrigerator, examine it closely.
And throw away anything that's damaged, expired, or looks weird before it spoils or the expiration date passes.
For example, this tuna salad that has been forgotten behind a liter of milk for 3 weeks? It's probably a good time to throw it away.
Same goes for that bottle of oyster sauce you once used for a stir-fry recipe a year and a half ago.
To discover: The 18 Foods You Can Eat Even Expired.
Take all the shelves and the vegetable drawer out of the refrigerator and clean them with soapy water.
I used this homemade natural dishwashing liquid recipe and rinsed with a clean sponge.
Then set the shelves and drawers aside upright to air dry or simply wipe them down with a clean kitchen towel.
Either way, leave them out of the fridge (and out of your way) while you complete the next 2 steps.
Wipe down all the surfaces of the fridge, starting with the top and ending with the bottom.
Also wipe the other horizontal surfaces with the dry cloth or a sheet of paper towel.
The goal here is to remove crumbs and other dirt before spraying any product inside the refrigerator.
Yes, it's an extra step, but it makes the next step quicker and easier to do.
Because if you don't, that grime clings to the damp cloth and you end up smearing it all over the place.
The easiest method is to use a spray bottle full of pure white vinegar.
I confess that I always keep one on hand because it is used to clean everything in the house!
Spray the top, sides, bottom and door of the refrigerator with vinegar. Then, wipe everything with a clean, dry cotton cloth.
White vinegar is the ideal product for deep cleaning the refrigerator because its acidity kills microbes such as bacteria and mold.
And since vinegar is non-toxic and its smell dissipates quickly once it's dry, there's no need to rinse it off after cleaning.
Not to mention the fact that it is very economical! Awesome, right?
Also remember to clean the drain of the fridge to avoid condensation.
Replace clean, dry shelves and drawers in the refrigerator.
Then put away the food that you didn't throw away in the first step.
If you haven't already, it's a good idea to put an open container filled with baking soda at the bottom of the fridge to absorb odors.
If you had already put a container a few months ago, empty it and fill it again with baking soda.
To discover: 10 Tips That Work To Remove Bad Smells From The Fridge.
The outside of the fridge can also get incredibly dirty.
So while you're at it, why not wash down the exterior too? At least it will be a good thing done!
If your fridge is classic coated metal, spray all exterior surfaces with your white vinegar spray and wipe with another clean, dry cloth.
Don't forget to clean the door handles as they are usually very dirty.
Then, if you've really motivated yourself, you can finish the job by cleaning out the freezer compartment.
If you have nasty stuff growing in your fridge, like black mold, you might want to bleach it out.
Stop! Big mistake ! Never put bleach in the fridge where you store food!
As we saw earlier, bleach is harmful to you and your food.
Fortunately, here are 4 methods that are just as effective as bleach, but safe for your health :
1. Spray pure white vinegar on the mold and let it sit for an hour before wiping it off. Vinegar is acidic enough to kill approximately 80% of mold species.
2. Wash moldy surfaces using a mixture of 250 ml of borax in 4 liters of water. No need to rinse. Borax residue left in the refrigerator will prevent mold growth.
3. Apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide to the surface and leave on for 10 minutes before wiping it off. Not only does hydrogen peroxide have antifungal properties, it can also help fade black spots left by mold.
4. Mix a teaspoon of tea tree essential oil in 250ml of water and use your solution to lightly coat the surface after cleaning it. This will kill any remaining mold spores and prevent new ones from spreading in the future.
There you go, your very dirty fridge is now nickel chrome without having used bleach :-)
It's still cleaner and more hygienic that way, isn't it?
No more chance of catching food poisoning from rotten or moldy food...
Remember to do this cleaning at least once a month to keep it clean, especially if you have a large family with children.
