“eco” Methods For Cleaning And Disinfecting The Refrigerator
Effective cleaning is essential in any home. These ecological methods to clean and disinfect the refrigerator will help us keep it in optimal condition. In this way, the health of the whole family is guaranteed through efficient hygiene.
During a long time of use or due to blackouts, the refrigerator can generate unpleasant odors. It can also happen that, even if the spoiled food is eliminated, the bad smell persists.
To fix the odor problem and ensure a clean appliance, there are easy green tricks to apply. We will describe some of them below. Take note!
Green methods to clean and disinfect the refrigerator
Before starting any procedure for cleaning and disinfecting the refrigerator, it is important to unplug it. You have to leave it long enough for it to thaw and thus release part of that accumulation that you want to eliminate. Then, we will remove all food, packaging and products for better access to the entire surface.
It is important not to use chlorine or disinfectants to clean the refrigerator. These products are difficult to remove after use and can contaminate food, with consequent health risks, as detailed in a publication by Dermatología Peruana (2005).
Whichever method is chosen to clean and disinfect the refrigerator, it is essential to let it dry before putting the food back into storage. These, like any container, must be very well cleaned before returning them to the refrigerator, to avoid contaminating this space again.
The very useful baking soda
When we clean the refrigerator, we must use products that increase the effectiveness of that process. One of the best is baking soda, as it has an antibacterial effect that helps remove food debris and accumulated dirt, according to a study published by the Journal of Food Science .
To use it, a popular recipe calls for mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with a few drops of lemon in a liter of hot water and rubbing inside and outside the refrigerator.
Then, we let it act for five minutes and, lastly, we wipe with a dry cloth to remove the rest of the moisture from the internal and external surfaces.
Water with salt
If we mix a handful of salt in four liters of warm water, we will obtain a liquid used for years and supposedly effective for cleaning the refrigerator. To give this popular method a try, just wet a sponge and work on the internal and external surfaces of the appliance.
Regarding the effectiveness of this solution, it should be noted that there are studies that support it, such as one published in 2006 by Food Microbiology. However, more evidence is needed to be conclusive regarding these properties of salt.
Vinegar, another antibacterial product
An interesting alternative is vinegar cleaning, which is often recommended for heavily contaminated areas. In this case, it is an element with proven effects by science.
As a study published by the American Society for Microbiology indicates , the acetic acid in vinegar is effective in killing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria . Also, the same source points out that it can be effective against other bacteria as well.
To take advantage of this method, we must mix half a cup of white vinegar in a cup of water and then proceed to clean the inside of the refrigerator. It is advisable to use a spray bottle, let it act for five minutes, aerate and dry.