How to clean your home fridge properly
Let’s face it, we probably need to clean our fridges more often. If you start to think about it, your fridge is a place where a lot of different foods come into contact with one another. We could have raw meat, eggs, fresh produce, sauces, and cooked foods all in there at the same time, mingling together. Not only is cleaning your fridge about removing slimy spills, crusted messes, and eliminating smells, but it is also one of the most healthy and hygienic things you can do. The fridge is one of the places in our kitchens that harbours the most bacteria, mould, and other microbes. So, without further ado, here are Haier’s tips and tricks for keeping your fridge sanitised and organised.
Now that we know the importance of cleaning the fridge regularly, the question remains: How to clean the fridge? There are a few different methods and tricks, so let’s get started.
How to clean the fridge with special cleaners
If you’re looking for an even simpler solution, try a special fridge cleaner like the Care+Protect Universal Fridge Hygienic Cleaner. Fridge cleaners are designed to sanitise and reduce the time you spend scrubbing your fridge. They have the power to lift tough stains and sticky spills effortlessly. The cleaning process is very similar to using soap, but even easier. Forget about needing to remove shelves and drawers, and scrubbing difficult stains.
Step 1: Take everything out
In order to really get to all the nooks and crannies of your fridge, you need to remove all foods and condiments. This is also a great opportunity to check expiry dates and throw away anything that is out of date. Place everything in a cooler or a box with some ice packs if you’re concerned about keeping the food cold.
Step 2: Scrub a dub dub
With the fridge empty, it’s time to scrub away. For monthly cleaning, all you need is a fridge cleaner. Our favourite is the Care+Protect Universal Fridge Hygienic Cleaner. Spray the cleaner over the surfaces of the fridge. You can opt to remove the shelves and drawers or simply leave them in and spray them with the cleaner as well. Let the cleaner act for 3 minutes and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Super simple and convenient!
Not only are fridge cleaners good for regular cleaning, but they are also antibacterial and therefore great for when you need to deep clean your fridge as well.
How to deep clean the fridge
Monthly cleaning is probably enough most of the time, but there may be times when a deeper clean is needed, especially if a food item in your fridge has been recalled. In addition to using a sanitising fridge cleaner, we can also use a bleach solution (1 tablespoon to one gallon of water). For a less abrasive cleaner, you can also try a vinegar solution of equal parts vinegar and water.
Tip: Be careful not to use any other cleaning products containing ammonia when using bleach as their interaction creates dangerous fumes.
How to prevent a smelly fridge
There’s nothing less appetising than opening the fridge door and getting bombarded with that weird, gross fridge smell. Fridges can develop these unpleasant odours for many reasons, including spoiled foods, unnoticed spills, mould and mildew, and improper food storage. But thankfully, these issues can be controlled easily with a few simple tricks:
Regular cleaning: As we’ve mentioned before, regular cleaning is the best way to keep your fridge sparkling, hygienic, and odour-free.
Use odour absorbers: In addition to regular cleaning, odour absorbers like Care+Protect Universal Fridge Odour Absorber is another great way to prevent odours. The solid gel formula removes odours and actually reduces cross-contamination, keeping your fridge odourless and your food fresher. The specialised plant-based gel also absorbs excess moisture, mitigating the growth of mould and mildew.
Maintain temperature: Believe it or not, maintaining your fridge’s temperature is also key in preventing odours. The right temperature (between 3 - 4 degrees Celsius) is key to slowing down the growth of bacteria and mould, which can cause bad smells.
Proper storage: Keeping food in airtight containers is one of the best ways to prevent a smelly fridge and to maintain the freshness of your food. Be sure to wrap tightly or use airtight containers when storing all foods, both cooked and fresh, to avoid cross-contamination and odours. In addition, the amount of food you store in your fridge is also important. It should neither be packed to the brim nor empty. A packed fridge can inhibit airflow, leading to temperature variations and thus, odours.
Check expiry dates: The long-forgotten milk at the back of the fridge is probably the main cause of your smelly fridge. Be sure to regularly check expiry dates and throw away anything that is past due.
Fridges with Advanced Antibacterial Technology (ABT)
In addition to regular cleaning, proper food storage, and odour elimination, modern advanced antibacterial technology is unparalleled at maintaining a hygienic and fresh fridge environment. The ABT Pro technology of the Haier Cube 90 Series 7 ensures your fridge freezer is always the most hygienic cooling environment. It uses an advanced module inside the cooling system to remove 99.99% of mould and bacteria from the airflow, eliminating odours and preventing the cross-contamination of smells.
With the ABT Pro Technology, you won’t need to worry about odours, or about the formation of mould or mildew as the air circulation system maintains the correct temperature as well as eliminates spores. Food is kept fresher longer, and you can rest easy knowing that your fridge is hygienic, mould and odour-free.
Overview
As we can see, regular cleaning and maintenance of your fridge are essential for keeping it hygienic, odour-free, and functioning efficiently. By following simple tips and tricks, you can ensure that every corner of your fridge is spotless.
