We use our refrigerator 10 times a day for cooking-related tasks and food storage. So, with regular use over time, it can accumulate stains and occasional odors. While some of these are easy to remove, others are stubborn.
To ensure the best fridge for home continues to perform well without looking poorly maintained, following some standard cleaning tips is necessary. Regardless of your fridge style, knowing how to keep it in check will ensure healthy, durable storage for your food.
Common Ways To Keep Your Refrigerator Odor-free and Stain-free
Throw Out Any Old or Spoiled Food
All packaged food or beverages come with definitive expiration dates mentioned on their labels. Fresh produce and other standard food items, especially dairy products, naturally get spoiled over time. As they begin to spoil, they leak fluids, which can lead to stubborn odors.
So, to prevent staining and odor, throw out any spoiled (or almost spoiled) food immediately. As a rule of thumb, set reminders to check foods that are nearing their expiration date so you can consume them beforehand and reduce the risk of spills and stains.
Regularly Clean Its Interiors
Cleaning the shelves and the inside compartments of the fridge is also very important. To clean the interior of the fridge correctly –
- Remove all the items from the shelves and keep them somewhere safe.
- Create a mixture of mild soap or detergent and warm water.
- Remove the shelves and ice trays and gently wipe down the walls and shelves with a microfiber cloth.
- Next, rinse them with a sanitizing mixture containing 1 tbsp of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, depending on how much water you use.
Most stains can be removed this way. However, for stubborn stains, like wine stains in wine coolers, use a solution with equal parts water, white vinegar, and mild dish soap. Dunk a microfiber cloth in this mixture and use some force to wipe the affected areas.
Thoroughly Clean The Drawers and Channels
The drawers and channels of your refrigerator can have hidden stains from spoiled food or leakage. These stains are easy to miss since these channels and drawers may not be accessed daily.
You must clean these drawers at least once a week using a warm, mild soap-and-water solution or a vinegar-water solution, depending on the stain’s severity. Keeping your refrigerator’s drawers and channels clean prevents hidden odor buildup and also limits contamination-related issues.
Inspect, Clean, and Replace Refrigerator Door Seals
Check your refrigerator’s door seals or gaskets every week to look for signs of stains, wear and tear, cracks, and loose gasket fittings.
If the gasket fittings are loose, you should reattach them properly. For any stains, use the same warm, mild soap water solution to clean them.
Maintaining your gaskets will prevent odor buildup due to cold air leakage, which can increase the temperature inside different fridge compartments, especially the wine cooler.
Replace Your Air Filter and Water Filter
Replace your refrigerator’s air and water filter as often as the manual recommends. This ensures the refrigerator has proper ventilation, reducing odor buildup from stored food.
Clean Your Refrigerator Coils
Clean your refrigerator coils every month with a vacuum and coil-cleaning brush. Using the vacuum first allows you to remove dirt or debris that may otherwise stick to the coils and may cause contamination, leading to poor odor control. After that, you can use the coil brush for an intensive cleaning.
Wipe and Clean Your Drain Pan
Clean your drain pan once a week with a mixture of mild soap, warm water, and vinegar. This will help you avoid sludge buildup, which can clogs drain filters and contribute to odor.
Quick Tips For A Stain-free and Odor Free-Fridge
- Use natural odor absorbents like activated charcoal, baking soda, and lemons. Store them in a bowl and replace them periodically to maintain freshness.
- Do not store canned food or juices beyond their expiry date.
- Keep reorganizing your refrigerator so that only two-thirds of the area is occupied. This will ensure unblocked air vents and unrestricted airflow, which prevents long-term odor buildup.
- Tightly wrap fresh food or salads to lock in their smells.
Conclusion
Effectively removing stains and odors from your refrigerator ensures that you can maintain a pleasant atmosphere in your kitchen.
Moreover, you can prevent potential refrigerator system failures due to contamination from leaked expired food or fluids. Preventing these failures helps you avoid potential high running costs later on.
