How Often is the Refrigerator Cleaned and Defrosted?

Cleaning and defrosting the refrigerator are things that every person is obliged to do. As annoying as it may seem, these are necessities.

Cleaning the fridge

According to some, once a month is completely enough to clean the fridge. Others are more of the opinion, that the perfect time frame is once or twice a week. In fact, if you have different compartments for the individual products and most of them are in boxes or foil, then the refrigerator will not get so dirty. Only the designated compartment will need to be cleaned.

So, the first thing you should do when cleaning your fridge is take out the produce. Inspect them and discard the inedible ones. This regular practice can secure you the coveted spot in the future.

To clean the inside of the refrigerator mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one liter of warm water. Remove the shelves and drawers in advance - they are washed separately. Baking soda helps to remove refrigerator odors. Wash the walls, bottom and corners. Use dry baking soda to remove stains. After washing the refrigerator, dry it with a clean cloth. Wash the inside of the door and the rubber strip around the door edge. Rinse and dry with a clean cloth. After washing and drying shelves and drawers, put them back.

To keep the fridge clean for longer, you need to take care of a few more things. Empty the ice trays and wash them with warm water and soap. Then fill them with cold, clean water and put them back in the fridge. Wipe all cans, bottles and jars with a clean cloth. Do the same with the fresh fruit and vegetables. Place the food in the refrigerator. A clean refrigerator prevents food from spoiling.

Defrost the fridge

New refrigerators do not need defrosting as they do this process automatically. Ice builds up in the back of the unit while the compressor is running. When it stops, the ice defrosts and evaporates. However, if a layer of ice with a thickness of 3-5 mm forms, your fridge and especially the freezer need to be defrosted.

First, everything must be removed from the freezer, all ice trays and products. Place the frozen foods in a cardboard box and cover them with newspapers. To speed up the defrosting process, place a large pan of warm water in the freezer. Do not scrape or hit the ice with various objects - it should melt by itself. It is best to put a container in which the melting ice is collected.

If you need to turn off the refrigerator leave the door open. If you don't, you risk mold and mildew to form.

Have a look at:

- why the refrigerator makes ice;

- why the refrigerator collects water;

- why is the refrigerator making noise;