This part of the refrigerator you are probably forgetting to clean
The refrigerator is one of the places in the house that we use constantly, but precisely for this reason, it is easy to postpone its thorough cleaning. Food residues, spilled liquids, and dirty packaging can accumulate between shelves and in drawers. Proper cleaning does not necessarily require strong materials, but it does require a work order that will prevent damage to food and allow reaching corners that tend to be forgotten.
The refrigerator is one of the places in the house that we use constantly, but precisely for this reason, it is easy to postpone its thorough cleaning. Food residues, spilled liquids, and dirty packaging can accumulate between shelves and in drawers. Proper cleaning does not necessarily require strong materials, but it does require a work order that will prevent damage to food and allow reaching corners that tend to be forgotten.
Start with the food – not the rag
Before you start scrubbing, it is worth emptying the refrigerator and checking the contents. Spoiled products or those that are no longer safe to eat should be thrown away, and it is worth taking the opportunity to also go over open packages and leftovers forgotten in the back.
Food that requires refrigeration is not recommended to be left out for a long time. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), perishable products should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, and in high heat conditions, this period is shortened. If a long cleaning is expected, you can move the sensitive contents to a cooler with ice or a suitable cooling medium.
Take out the shelves and drawers
After emptying the contents, you can take out removable parts, according to the manufacturer's instructions. This makes it easier to reach the rails, sides, and corners where crumbs and liquids accumulate. Shelves and drawers can be cleaned in hot water with soap, and then dried well before returning them. The CDC recommends in the case of cleaning after spilled food or a product recalled from the market to remove the removable parts and wash them in hot water and soap. It is also important to avoid a sharp transition of cold glass parts to very hot water, if the manufacturer's instructions warn against temperature changes.
Move to the sides and internal surfaces
After the refrigerator is empty, you can see how many places are hiding behind boxes and packages. It is recommended to start by removing crumbs and solid residues and only then move to wiping. Water and soap are suitable for routine cleaning of many surfaces, and there is no need to mix several preparations in an attempt to achieve a stronger result. You should wipe the sides, the bottom of the compartment, the rails, and the areas under the drawers well. If food has spilled, it is advisable to deal with it as soon as possible and not wait for the periodic cleaning.
Do not forget the door gaskets
The rubber gaskets that surround the door tend to accumulate crumbs, liquids, and dirt inside the folds. You can go over them gently using a damp cloth and clean the grooves without damaging the seal. After that, it is worth drying the area. This is also an opportunity to check if the rubber is sitting in its place and if the door closes well. Proper sealing is important for maintaining the temperature inside the device.
And what about disinfectant?
In most routine cleanings, there is no need to turn the inside of the refrigerator into a chemical laboratory. Cleaning with water and soap removes dirt and residues, and in cases where disinfection is required, you should act according to the manufacturer's instructions and the safety instructions of the preparation. The CDC emphasizes that when using a disinfectant after cleaning the refrigerator, you must follow the product instructions. In addition, do not mix bleach with ammonia or other preparations, because dangerous vapors may be created.
Clean the bottles and boxes too
There is not much point in returning to a clean compartment packages that have sticky liquids or food residues on them. Before rearranging, it is worth wiping the outside of jars, bottles, and boxes that have become dirty. Such a short action helps to prevent the immediate transfer of dirt back to the shelves.
The handle is part of the cleaning
During the day, we touch the handle again and again, sometimes while preparing food. Despite this, it is easy to focus on the inside and forget the external surfaces. It is worth wiping the handle and the door opening area regularly, according to the type of coating and the manufacturer's instructions. If it is stainless steel or another sensitive material, it is advisable to ensure that the preparation used is suitable for the surface.
Return the food – but not automatically
Before returning everything inside, it is worth ensuring that the shelves and drawers are dry. This is also an opportunity to arrange the contents so that older products remain visible and do not disappear behind new purchases. Meat, chicken, or raw fish should be stored in a way that prevents their juices from dripping on other foods. The FDA recommends keeping them in containers or closed bags to prevent contamination of other products.
Temperature is just as important as cleaning
A polished refrigerator is not enough if it is not cold to the required extent. The FDA recommends maintaining a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius or less in the refrigerator, and in the freezer about 18 degrees below zero. Using a dedicated thermometer allows you to check that the device is indeed in the desired range. In addition, you should not pack the compartment until there is no room for air movement, because proper flow helps maintain uniform cooling.
And what to do when something spills?
You don't have to wait for the next big cleaning. The sooner you deal with liquid or residues, the easier it is to remove them and prevent accumulation. This is especially important when it comes to liquids originating from raw meat or chicken. In such a case, you must clean the area and the surfaces that came into contact with them and be careful not to transfer the contamination to other foods. Also, a product recalled from the market due to fear of contamination requires special attention. The CDC recommends in such cases to clean the areas where the food was stored and wash well the removable parts and surfaces that came into contact with it.
Background: A clean refrigerator is also a matter of food safety
Cleaning the refrigerator is not intended only to eliminate stains and odors. It is a place where ready-to-eat foods are stored alongside raw materials, so poor storage or spilled liquids can allow contaminants to pass from one item to another. There is no need to use a large amount of preparations or create homemade mixtures. The simple order is to empty, sort, wash removable parts, wipe the internal space, dry, and rearrange the contents.
And alongside all these, two habits make a significant difference over time: clean dirt immediately when it is created and check from time to time that the temperature remains below 4 degrees. This way, the refrigerator will not only look cleaner, but will also provide safer conditions for food storage.
