6 Steps to Clean a Very Dirty Fridge (Without Using Bleach).
It's true that it's tempting to postpone cleaning the fridge ...
However, we don't eat from a dirty plate and we shouldn't store food in a dirty fridge either!
Similarly, the products you use to clean it are just as important.
Indeed, aggressive products such as bleach can be absorbed by your food ...
It should therefore never be used to clean a refrigerator.
Fortunately, here is the most efficient way to clean a very dirty fridge in just 6 steps and without using javel.
Don't worry, all you need is white vinegar. Look :
HOW TO DO
1. Empty the fridge completely
When you take food out of the refrigerator, take a close look at it.
And throw away anything that's damaged, expired, or looks weird before it spoils or has passed its expiration date.
For example, that tuna salad that has been forgotten behind a liter of milk for 3 weeks? It's probably a good time to throw it away.
The same goes for that bottle of oyster sauce you once used for a stir-fry recipe a year and a half ago.
To discover : The 18 Foods You Can Eat Even When It's Expired.
2. Clean all removable parts
Take all the shelves and the vegetable drawer out of the refrigerator and clean them with soapy water.
I used this homemade natural dish soap recipe and rinsed it off with a clean sponge.
Then set shelves and drawers aside upright to air dry or simply wipe them down with a clean kitchen towel.
Either way, leave them out of the fridge (and out of your way) while you finish the next 2 steps.
3. Wipe the rag in the fridge
Wipe down all the surfaces of the fridge with a rag, starting with the top and ending with the bottom.
Also wipe other horizontal surfaces with the dry cloth or a piece of paper towel.
The goal here is to remove crumbs and other dirt before spraying any product inside the refrigerator.
It's true that it's an extra step, but it makes the next step faster and easier to do.
Because if you don't, that gunk will stick to the damp cloth and you end up smearing it all over the place.
4. Clean the inside of the fridge with white vinegar
The easiest method is to use a spray sprayer full of pure white vinegar.
I admit that I always keep one on hand because it is used to clean everything in the house!
Spray the vinegar on the top, sides, bottom and door of the refrigerator. Then wipe it off with a clean, dry cotton cloth.
White vinegar is the ideal product for deep cleaning the refrigerator because its acidity kills germs such as bacteria and mold.
And since vinegar is non-toxic and its odor dissipates quickly once it's dry, there's no need to rinse it off after cleaning.
Not to mention the fact that it is very economical! Awesome, isn't it?
5. Put the items back in the fridge.
Return clean, dry shelves and drawers to the refrigerator.
Then put away the food that you did not throw away in the first step.
If you haven't already, it's a good idea to put an open container full of baking soda in the bottom of the fridge to absorb odors.
If you had already put a container a few months ago, empty it and fill it again with baking soda.
To discover : 10 Tips That Work To Remove Bad Smells From Your Fridge.
6. Clean the exterior surfaces of the fridge
The exterior of the refrigerator can also get incredibly dirty.
So while you're at it, why not wash the exterior as well? At least it will be a good thing done!
If your refrigerator is classic coated metal, spray all exterior surfaces with your white vinegar spray and wipe them down with another clean, dry cloth.
Remember to clean the door handles as they are usually very dirty.
Then, if you have really motivated yourself, you can finish the job by cleaning the freezer compartment.
How to clean mold in the fridge?
If you've got some yucky stuff growing in your fridge, like black mold, you might want to wash it off with bleach.
Stop! Big mistake ! Never put bleach in the fridge where you store food!
As we saw earlier, bleach is harmful to you and your food.
Fortunately, here are 4 methods that are just as effective as bleach, but safe for your health :
1. Spray pure white vinegar on the mold and let it sit for an hour before wiping it off. Vinegar is acidic enough to kill about 80% of mold species.
2. Wash moldy surfaces using a mixture of 250 ml of borax in 4 liters of water. No need to rinse. The borax residue left in the refrigerator will prevent mold growth.
3. Apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide to the surface and leave to act for 10 minutes before wiping it off. Hydrogen peroxide not only has antifungal properties, but it can also help reduce black spots left by mold.
4. Mix a teaspoon of tea tree essential oil in 250ml of water and use your solution to lightly coat the surface after cleaning it. This will kill any remaining mold spores and prevent new ones from spreading in the future.
Results
And there you have it, your very dirty fridge is now nickel chrome without having used bleach :-)
It's still cleaner and more hygienic like that, isn't it?
No more chance of catching food poisoning from rotten or moldy food ...
Remember to do this cleaning at least once a month to keep it clean, especially if you have a large family with children.
Your turn...
Have you tried this natural way to wash your dirty, moldy fridge? Let us know in the comments if it works for you. We can't wait to hear from you!
Do you like this trick ? Share it with your friends on Facebook.
Also to discover:
19 Tips For Keeping Your Fridge Clean and Organized.
The New Super Efficient Method To Clean A VERY DIRTY Fridge.
