We depend on our refrigerators but we always procrastinate when it comes to cleaning them. A large part of what we consume daily comes out of our refrigerator and there are more reasons to clean them, than just neatness. Hygiene is a big one on that list. If you don’t already do it, you should be cleaning it every couple of months to make sure things stay odour-free and squeaky clean. Cleaning and re-organizing it can also make your refrigerator more efficient if you think about it. Here are our recommendations of how you can make cleaning your refrigerator a quick, fun activity.
Before you begin, don’t forget to turn off the power and unplug the refrigerator from the mains. Depending on how large your refrigerator is, or what kind it is, or how much you have stored in there, you will be done with cleaning it in less than an hour. Some music on a Bluetooth speaker helps in keeping you company while you get to it.
Prepare for Battle … against grime!
Make sure you have the right tools in place so you don’t need to run around later. You are going to face stubborn grime and you will need all the help you can get. Some soft cloth rags can be used for damp cleaning and a few others for wiping the fridge dry when you are nearly done. Micro-fiber cloth might be a good idea to avoid scratching fine glass or plastic panels on the inside, and the outsides of the fridge. Gloves can be used too if you don’t want to be in direct touch with the cleaning solutions and they help prevent any panels or dishes slipping out of your hand.
Move everything out
The first step is removing everything out of the refrigerator or cleaning it will be either slow, or incomplete. Find a large table, place a mat on it and move all the jars, vessels, vegetables, eggs and everything you can from the refrigerator to it. You can keep frozen food products in the freezer till the time it’s time to clean that part. That way, you don’t risk food going bad or seeping from the defrosting. When you complete cleaning the refrigeration compartment, you can then move out the food from the freezer compartment.
Remove and clean all the trays
Most refrigerators are modular so you can remove all the shelves by sliding them out. This helps speed up the cleaning process. Be careful while doing this, since some of the panes might be made of glass or delicate plastics. A slip and you could end up with some shattered panels. You can clean these outside the refrigerator using a damp cloth and some mild soaps. Wash the cloth and clean the trays clean. Keep them for drying while you clean the insides of the fridge.
Avoid harsh chemicals
Remember that everything that sits in our refrigerator is meant to be consumed. We recommend using mild, safe cleaning with damp cloth and dish washing solutions. Do not use harsh chemicals, or they will end up in your food. Avoid powders as well since they can be abrasive.
Get to cleaning!
Now that we have everything out, start by applying some moisture with a damp cloth on the insides of the now vacant compartment. Use some mild solutions, then wash the cloth and wipe it clean again. Use warm water for the refrigerator, constantly rinse the cloth and ensure you rid the fridge of every bit solution and soap. Do this till you’re satisfied with the result. You can switch to a dry cloth to wipe everything clean. Make sure you reach into every groove and gap to remove any gunk that needs dislodging. Clean the gasket that seals the doors on your fridge carefully.
Emptying out the water tray
Regardless of what type of refrigerator you own, you might notice a tray meant for water to drip into. It is also called a drain pan and it lets defrosted ice and any other condensation to flow into. Most of this water evaporates through the day or by the heating action of the fridge, but over time, it might be full of water or dirt. Refer to your refrigerator’s model to find where the tray is located. Carefully remove it, empty and clean it too in the bathroom.
Organize food better when you put it back
Put back the trays and mounts into the fridge. Now is also a good time to organizer your fridge. Move all the jars and foods that are likely to leak or drip to the bottom of the refrigerator. That way they won’t spill through all the trays above. Try to move all the larger jars and vessels away from the vents that cool the space. This can improve efficiency. All the food that doesn’t require heavy cooling can sit in the shelves mounted on the door. This is usually the least cool part of the refrigerator.
Vegetables that go into the fresh food section of the fridge shouldn’t be just dumped, rather put into netted bags, or boxes so they don’t spill about and leave a layer of dirt. Some people even use paper towels at the bottom that you can replace them every now and then. It saves having to clean the vegetable compartment very often.
Setting the temperature right
When you are done moving all the food back into the fridge, it’s time to set the temperatures right if you haven’t before. There are many recommendations on this, but most prefer setting the freezer to a temperature of 0 to -5 degrees Celcius, while the refrigerator compartment is set to 3 – 5 degrees Celcius. This should ensure you have effective cooling across the entire fridge. Review this in a day or so to see if the fridge’s compressor is working overtime, or if it isn’t cooling well enough. These tweaks can help lower electricity bills and save you a lot in the long run.
Squeaky cleaning the outsides
When you’re almost done with cleaning, give the outside of the refrigerator a nice clean wipe so it looks just like new. Do not try to use fluids or chemical solutions to clean the sensitive functional parts of the refrigerator at the back. This is best maintained by an experienced technician.
You can call ResQ to help you with cleaning and maintaining your refrigerator. They offer a whole bunch of services such as extended warranty through their ResQ Care Plan (RCP). Not only will they complete a maintenance run for your refrigerator, you can also avail of a no-frills component replacement in case of any failure, all for a very nominal fee. ResQ offers services such as this for a wide range of other home appliances and consumer electronics. You can find more details about this by calling ResQ on 1800-103-1044.
Now that you are done cleaning your refrigerator, it’s time to power back the refrigerator and wait for the cooling to resume.
If you’ve been using an old refrigerator, and notice issues with cooling or excess vibration, now is a good time to purchase a new one from our product catalogue. Prices are lower than before, and there are many new features to look at – smart refrigerators are on their way. Before you buy one though, do read our buying guide to refrigerators and there is also a lot about power efficiency you ought to learn. As always, you can also head over to your closest Reliance Digital store so you can see these refrigerators for yourself, and even get some advice and recommendations from our experts.
