Research from 2018 indicates that refrigerators are the least regularly cleaned household appliance in the UK. In this article we highlight why cleaning your fridge freezer is so important, and what areas you should pay attention to.
Health and safety: It helps to stop the spread of germs
Cleaning your fridge freezer is important for general hygiene. This is because keeping the inside clean helps to prevent germs from spreading inside the appliance. As we use fridge freezers to store our food, keeping the insides clean is extremely crucial to food health and safety as without this the germs can spread into our food.
To keep your fridge clean, you should regularly wipe down the shelving and other surfaces with warm soapy water. For any removable compartments, they should be taken out from the unit and cleaned in the sink too. When cleaning, avoid using any harsh abrasives to prevent from any external surface damage.
The appliance’s contents should also be checked on a regular basis. This is to ensure that food is in date and that there are not any issues, such as mould, that could spread across the contents. Any out of date food should be removed and the area should be cleaned to prevent contamination.
General maintenance: It sustains functionality
Another reason as to why cleaning is important is because it is part of the general maintenance. By cleaning certain parts, it helps the fridge freezer to function correctly and prevents issues from occurring.
If you have a frost-free fridge freezer it is important the drainage hole is cleaned and any blockages are removed. This is because any condensation will need to drip through the drainage hole to work effectively. You can use a cotton bud, or any soft tool that will fit in the drainage hold, dipped in white vinegar to remove any blockages from this hole and clean the area.
The door seals should be wiped and checked regularly for any dirt or debris. This is because any debris on the door seal could prevent the door from closing properly which can lead to damage to the door. This can also lead to issues with the cooling if the door seal is not looked after, as air may escape from the appliance. The door can be wiped down with warm soapy water, and then dried with a dry cloth before closing again.
Keeps it pleasant: Prevents odours
If your appliance isn’t cleaned, it may produce an unpleasant smell. This should be avoided as food is stored in the fridge freezer so it may linger in the fridge and the food.
You should ensure the drip tray is frequently wiped clean. As part of the cooling process in frost-free fridges, condensation will drip down to the drip tray. This typically evaporates, but if not it should be wiped away to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading inside. If not wiped away, it may produce an unpleasant smell. It can be wiped away by using a warm, soapy cloth and then wiped again with a dry cloth to remove any leftover warm water.
After the appliance has received a full clean, you can also remove any odours using a lemon. Place a slice of lemon in the appliance for a few hours to remove any smells and leave a nicer scent.
Summary
To conclude, cleaning your appliance is not only important for hygiene purposes but also for the general maintenance. By following our advice, your fridge freezer should be thoroughly clean. You should ensure this cleaning is done regularly to prevent a build-up of dirt. For specific cleaning instructions for your appliance, please refer to your user manual or contact the relevant support team. You can view our video on general fridge freezer maintenance here.
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