Can I Use Ordinary Kitchen Cleaning Products?

Some kitchen cleaning products, such as gentle surface wipes that use natural citrus oils, are OK to use inside a refrigerator, but other products should be avoided. Kitchen cleaners can be very strong, containing many chemicals that kill common kitchen germs. However, these products should not come into contact, either directly or indirectly, with food; while you can rinse the products off the inside of the refrigerator, it’s simply not worth the risk of a lingering chemical residue that could cause contamination. Instead you can use your normal kitchen dishwashing liquid and some warm water to wipe the insides of your fridge and soak the drawers. Always follow the instructions on the label of any cleaning product.

Is Disinfectant OK to Use in the Fridge?

Disinfectants – like bleach – should never be used inside refrigerators. As with other kitchen cleaning products, any disinfectant that comes into contact with food could make people ill because of the strong chemicals they contain. Stick to specially formulated products that are safe to use inside a fridge, or opt for natural cleaners instead.

Are Natural Products Useful?

Natural products can be very useful when cleaning a refrigerator, and they are safe ways to keep the appliance clean and hygienic. Regular baking soda can be great for removing stains and absorbing bad odours, while white vinegar is good for cleaning any stainless steel elements, including refrigerator doors if you have a stainless steel model. Just remember to test on a small area first to check there are no adverse effects.

What are the Best Cleaning Methods?

Once you have all your kitchen cleaning products to hand (remember: no disinfectant!), it’s time to consider how to tackle the refrigerator. Here are some handy methods:

• It may seem obvious, but remove all food before starting. Even if you’re only using natural products, you don’t want to be reaching around objects. Having an empty fridge makes the process so much easier, and removes the possibility of contamination.
• Take out all removable parts, such as shelves and drawers. Fill a basin with warm water and regular dishwashing soap and leave these parts to soak before wiping and rinsing.
• Wipe all surface areas either with commercial wipes, or with a combination of dishwashing soap and warm water. Use a microfibre cloth or a good quality sponge – these cleaning tools will not fall apart and leave little particles behind in the fridge.
• For stubborn stains, mix a small amount of baking soda with a little water to produce a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stain and leave for an hour before wiping with a damp sponge or cloth. The baking soda should loosen the stain, making it easy to wipe away.

A refrigerator is the hub of our kitchen. We depend on it to safely store all of our perishable foods until we’re ready to use them.

Unfortunately, the refrigerator takes a lot of abuse. We stuff it full. We forget about leftovers. We leave spills until they’ve crystallized. Then we complain when there’s even the slightest unpleasant odor.

No time to clean it yourself? Homecleanz professional cleaner will do the job for you.

Call us at 6440 3342 or book an appointment with us here!