5 Refrigerator-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

From time to time, households require some general cleaning to ensure tidiness at home. Housing both raw and cooked food, as well as drinks and condiments, your refrigerator is one vital appliance that should be kept clean at all times. Condura recognizes that a good refrigerator is an investment for any household. That’s why their Home Prima and Home Ultima series are specifically designed to cater to Filipino homes and their needs. The range comes with eco-friendly refrigerant, which provides a natural refrigerant with low environmental impact and zeroes ozone depletion potential. Caring for the environment, through your choice of appliance, has never been easier with Condura. The Home Ultima series, in particular, offers a wide range of high-performance refrigerators that suits your style and your budget. If you have a large family and need more storage then a two-door fridge or even a multi-door unit may suit you. There are also bottom freezers and inverter style options for you to choose from. It’s also important to know when you are going to clean your refrigerator. Given how cleanliness has taken on another level with the pandemic, cleaning your refrigerator a week or at least every other week is essential to ensure safety, cleanliness, and sanitation. Here are five DIY solutions when cleaning your fridge:

1. Dishwashing soap and warm water solution Always start by turning off your fridge taking out all the items, as well as the shelves and drawers from the appliance. Fill a basin with part warm water and part dishwashing liquid soap and soak a microfiber cloth or a sponge before wiping all surface areas of the refrigerator. Leave the solution for at least 5-10 minutes. Soak another cloth or sponge in warm water to rinse. Do the same process for the shelves and drawers. Never use disinfectants like bleach when cleaning your refrigerator. Bleach functions as oxidizers and is a strong and effective disinfectant so it can affect the items that you put within your ref. Even if you dilute it with water, it might still affect the food and eventually to your health. Also, never mix bleach with another chemical. If mixed with another staple household cleaner ammonia, can cause toxic fumes or in some cases an explosion.

1. Baking soda trick A little cleaning trick when you have a fridge that smells is to place a small amount of baking soda on the bottom or where the stink is coming from. Baking soda acts as deodorizers so placing 1 cup of baking soda at the bottom part of your fridge can help neutralize the smell. Make sure to replace the baking soda every three months. Of course, you also have to check for expired items or spoiled food that you might be storing in your ref that’s causing any unpleasant odor. Milk leaks, in particular, create a pungent odor so be sure to regularly check products in your refrigerator and throw anything that’s out of date or spoiled. If your ref has stubborn stains, try mixing a small amount of baking soda with water to produce a thick paste-like material. Apply the paste to the stain at letting it rest for 30 minutes before wiping it with a damp cloth or sponge.

1. Vinegar is a natural cleaner For a chemical-free refrigerator cleaner, try diluting 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of hot water and put in a spray bottle. You can add a bit of lemon essential oil for a fresh citrus scent. Spray the mixture inside the refrigerator and let it sit for 2-3 minutes then wipe any food stains or splatters with a damp cloth. You can also use this solution to clean drawers and shelves. If there are stains, you can scrub it using a good quality sponge. If the shelves are made of glass, let them adjust to room temperature first before cleaning. The hot water and vinegar solution will help loosen stains, kill bacteria, and eliminate undesirable odors in your fridge. You can also spray the front of your refrigerator with the homemade solution and wipe it with a damp cloth after. You can use this solution to clean other appliances as well as your microwave.

1. Multipurpose wipes for easy cleaning If you need to quickly clean your ref or just sanitize a particular area then using multipurpose wipes can do the trick. Wipes can easily remove visible dirt and grease and can be a perfect solution for spills. If doing a deep-cleaning using wipes, best to start from the top and work your way down so you don’t spend time cleaning drips and spills. You can use anti-bacterial cleaners but make sure that it’s safe to use to clean a refrigerator. Some kitchen cleaners can be very strong because they contain chemicals that kill germs that build up in the kitchen area. Always follow the instructions on the cleaning product label. Remember that food absorbs odors so it’s better to use unscented cleaners.

1. Check and double-check As a family, everyone must maintain the cleanliness of the refrigerator. So clean any spills as soon as you see one because spills tend to drip on other items inside your ref and can spoil or damage them. Wash your hands before and after cleaning your refrigerator and make sure to use gloves while cleaning it. Make sure to sanitize the handle properly because the refrigerator is opened multiple times in a day by different members of the household so handles must get special attention in the cleaning department. Always check if you hear something wrong with the motor every time you clean and check the fridge lights for issue every time you clean. To check for leaks, try placing a flashlight inside the ref and close the door. Do this while the house lights are turned off and if you see any light from the ref escape, there could be a potential leak.

Maintaining the cleanliness of your fridge is important to keep the health and safety of your family in check. It’s important to have a sanitized and well-functioning fridge to sustain the quality and freshness of our food so make it a habit to clean your refrigerators thoroughly and regularly.