Is it possible to wash a refrigerator that is turned on: risks for equipment and humans

Maintaining cleanliness in the refrigerator and washing it in a timely manner are mandatory items for caring for this piece of household appliance. You cannot wash the refrigerator when it is turned on, otherwise it will not last long.

Inside and outside

If the refrigerator is left open for a long time, the warm air entering the chamber forms condensation drops. In this case, the device runs in vain, the radiator overheats, which accelerates wear and reduces the service life.

Cleaning a refrigerator that is not turned off can lead to poor freezing in the future.

To prevent the No frost system, which most modern refrigerators are equipped with, from malfunctioning, it is important to always disconnect the appliance from the power supply before washing.

Defrosting the refrigerator should begin by adjusting the temperature to zero, and only then unplugging it from the outlet. Typically the defrosting process takes three to eight hours.

When washing the outside of the refrigerator, start by unplugging it. This is necessary, first of all, for safety, since contact of a wet rag with a running household appliance can result in an electric shock.

It is imperative to clean the condenser, which is located at the back of the refrigerator, from dust. A long narrow brush or vacuum cleaner is suitable for this.

How to properly and quickly clean a refrigerator?

To quickly tidy up your refrigerator, you need to follow simple rules.These are not only ways to quickly cleanse, but also prevent contamination and the spread of unpleasant odors.

• Keep your refrigerator clean every day

Food in the refrigerator should be stored so that it cannot stain the shelves: use cling film and special containers, make sure that milk and other drinks do not spill on the shelves.

Spoiled and expired products should be thrown away immediately and monitored regularly.

During cleaning, place frozen foods, for example, in a bowl with cold water or ice and place it in a cool place. Packages and jars of food that require wiping should be placed near the sink and then washed.

• Remove removable parts

When cleaning the refrigerator, the removable parts must be removed, then washed thoroughly using a special product and rinsed under running water.

Internal shelves are more difficult to rinse thoroughly, so it is better to wash them with a warm, concentrated solution of soda (ratio to water - 1:2). It will cope well with dirt, will not spoil the surface, eliminates unpleasant odors and is easily washed off without leaving any traces.

It is also undesirable to use soap compounds because they can leave behind strong odors inside the refrigerator compartment. It is worth avoiding acids and cleaning powders, as their use can damage the surface of shelves and walls.

• Wipe with a clean dry cloth

After finishing washing the internal shelves and removable parts, they should be wiped with a dry, clean cloth (preferably if it is made of microfiber). It is important that the napkin does not leave lint. Next, you need to ventilate the refrigerator for 30–60 minutes.And after that you can arrange the products and turn it on to the network.

• Use vinegar, lemon and baking soda for bad odors

Vinegar removes unpleasant odors well and disinfects surfaces. Strong odors can be eliminated by leaving a piece of cotton wool soaked in vinegar in the corner of the shelf for a couple of hours.

You should not wash rubber gaskets with vinegar, as they can dry out and deteriorate from exposure to acid.

Baking soda also absorbs odors well. A small glass of baking soda left in the refrigerator will save you from unpleasant odors for two months.

Good odor regulators are half an apple, a piece of black bread and rice. For greater effect, they need to be placed on each shelf.

How to properly store and arrange food?

Fish, sausages and sausages have strong odors, but they should not be left in bags.
These and other foods are best stored wrapped in cling film or placed in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.

Ordinary chicken eggs are very susceptible to foreign odors, as they quickly absorb them through the shell. It is better to keep them in a special compartment for eggs.

Properly distribute products among shelves and compartments:

• Freshly prepared food, processed foods and meats should be stored on the top shelf.
• The middle shelf is ideal for dairy products.
• Fruits and vegetables are stored well in the lowest place.
• It is better to put juices, vegetable and animal oils in the door.

Meat should not be placed next to dairy products, and fish should not be placed next to vegetables.

So, in order to clean your refrigerator as little as possible, you need to know how to use it correctly.And when the time to clean the unit does come, it is important to first disconnect it from the network so as not to harm either yourself or the equipment.