The refrigerator is one of the household items that is constantly used to store food such as vegetables, fruits, and ready-to-eat meals. Despite daily use, cleaning is often postponed. As a result, juice from vegetables or fruits can make shelves sticky, food odors can mix creating an unpleasant smell, and dirt can accumulate in corners that is difficult to remove with just a damp cloth.
Because of this, people often purchase expensive cleaning products. However, if you regularly spend money on buying such products, it is worth stopping. There are simple remedies that can be found in the kitchen that allow you to significantly reduce stickiness and eliminate odors in the refrigerator. Below are easy methods for cleaning surfaces and combating unpleasant aromas.
Baking soda is effective for cleaning in many places in the home. If stickiness has formed on a shelf or in a corner of the refrigerator due to spilled food, you can prepare a thick paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the contaminated area, leave it for a few minutes, then gently wipe it with a soft cloth or sponge, and finish wiping with a clean cloth dampened with water.
To get rid of odors, you can place a small bowl of baking soda inside the refrigerator. Placing soda in an open container helps reduce unpleasant smells. It is also extremely important to remove spoiled or long-stored food from the refrigerator.
If old stains or food residue have accumulated on the refrigerator shelves, you can use a solution made by mixing white vinegar with water. This solution should be applied to a cloth and used to wipe the shelves and interior surfaces. After this, it is essential to wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth to remove the vinegar smell.
It is important to remember: never mix vinegar with cleaning agents such as bleach.
Lemon is useful not only for the taste of food but also for cleaning the refrigerator. Its light aroma can weaken strong odors inside. You can cut the lemon into pieces and place them in a small dish. Additionally, you can use lemon juice diluted with water to wipe the cleaned surfaces. Furthermore, it is strictly forbidden to allow any solutions to get into the electrical parts or ventilation openings of the refrigerator.
If the unpleasant odor returns again and again, simply placing aromatic agents is not enough. First, you need to check the contents of the refrigerator: immediately remove old vegetables, spoiled fruits, open containers, leaking sauces or juice packets, as well as expired food. After that, thoroughly wipe the shelves, door racks, and lower corners, paying special attention to areas where liquids have spilled.
Before starting the cleaning, all food must be completely removed. Stone shelves should not be placed immediately in very hot water, as a sudden change in temperature can damage the glass. During cleaning, avoid getting water into electrical components and ventilation openings. Most importantly, after finishing the cleaning, let the refrigerator surfaces dry completely before putting food back in. To prevent odors and dirt in the future, it is recommended to store food in closed or airtight containers.