How to clean a new refrigerator before turning it on for the first time. Folk remedies and household chemicals

A refrigerator is a serious and expensive purchase. Usually, due to life experience, people are aware of the rules for its operation. But for some reason, not everyone knows that you shouldn’t immediately connect it and load it with products. Before using it for the first time, the refrigerator must be washed.

After purchasing a new refrigerator, be sure to wash it before using it.

How to clean a new refrigerator before first use?

There are a number of factors that speak in favor of washing.

• A new household appliance, fresh from the factory, has a specific smell, you can call it “technical”. Washing helps prevent food from absorbing this dubious aroma.
• In the production of household appliances - after all, this is not the production of medical equipment and food - strict sterility requirements are not met. A brand new unit may look clean, but in reality there may be dust and various contaminants on its internal surfaces.
• The item did not arrive at the store’s sales floor immediately from the workshop - it happened to be in a production warehouse, perhaps even two - large retail outlets and centers also have their own warehouses. During transportation and storage, dust and microparticles of dirt settled on the device - after all, its packaging is not vacuum.

To eliminate the specific odor, the new refrigerator must be thoroughly washed.

Washing the device after these adventures is a normal hygienic requirement, a necessity. How to wash a unit equipped with a “No Frost” system, and is this treatment different from washing a regular refrigerator?

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Adviсe

Little secrets will help you quickly prepare a new refrigerator before turning it on for the first time:

1. Before you start wet cleaning the refrigerator, you need to wipe away dust and dirt from the surfaces with a dry cloth.
2. Lemon slices placed on the shelves of a new household appliance will fill it with a pleasant citrus aroma.
3. A chlordexine solution will help disinfect surfaces. It is enough to dilute in 1l. water 1 tbsp. pharmaceutical product and, moistening a rag in the resulting solution, thoroughly wipe all surfaces.

If there are any doubts about the correctness of the actions or the choice of detergent, you can always look at the manufacturer’s instructions, which clearly state how to care for the household appliance.

You will find useful tips and tricks for cleaning your refrigerator in this section.

Features of cleaning the chamber with the “No Frost” system

The most important element in the operation of the “No Frost” chamber is the ventilation system. Its blockage can lead to disastrous consequences, including failure of the device. The first thing you should do is clean the ventilation holes in both chambers - the freezer and refrigerator. To process them, you will need cotton swabs and clean water at room temperature or a weak soda solution. The holes must be processed very carefully. External panels can be treated with chemical cleaning agents, with the exception of abrasive ones that can scratch the surface.

I start cleaning Refrigerators operating with the No Frost system from the ventilation holes.

Important! It is forbidden to remove the panels covering the ventilation. You violate the terms of the warranty agreement with the device manufacturer, and in the event of force majeure (incorrect operation of the device, breakdowns) you lose the right to free repair work.

See also “no frost” technology in refrigerators.

What and how to wash?

When cleaning refrigerators, just follow these simple recommendations:

• They start by cleaning the internal parts. Move from top to bottom, paying special attention to the corners.
• Don't forget about the drain hole in the rear compartment either. First, take a brush and run it over the work surfaces. Then the syringe is filled with detergent and the channel is filled with it.
• Don't forget about the holes on the fan grille. For them, take cotton swabs soaked in a cleaning product.
• Then they wash the external parts of the device, the capacitor on the back side. The main thing is that the sponge is soft enough for it.
• The sponge is cleaned of the remnants of all cleaning products and rinsed in water. This is necessary to go over all surfaces again.
• Take a dry towel and use it to wipe the equipment inside and out.
• The device is left open for some time so that all remaining moisture evaporates.
• All that remains is to install the parts in place and check their functionality. To understand how well it was possible to wash the inside of a new refrigerator.

How to clean the inside of a regular refrigerator

In this case, it is allowed to use both available household and chemical cleaning products for washing, using them in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The similarity with the “No Frost” wash is that it is also not recommended to use abrasive powders. This is especially true for cleaning the freezer.

To clean regular refrigerators, you can use household chemicals.

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What other tips should you consider for the proper functioning of refrigerators?

The main prohibition is the use of cleaning products containing chlorine. They are usually designed to clean toilets and bathtubs. The structure of rubber door seals will be destroyed under the influence of this active substance.

The plastic on the body will be dull after this treatment. We have already answered the question of whether a new refrigerator needs to be washed.

The use of abrasive substances and hard brushes to perform the same work is also excluded.

The refrigerator cannot be turned on and off, or immediately loaded with food after completing wet cleaning. At least half an hour must pass after all actions are completed. Before turning on, many types of equipment require rinsing and wiping, not just refrigerators.

Choosing detergents

How to clean your new refrigerator is up to you. The choice is a matter of personal taste and preference. A well-maintained unit can be seen in homes where “grandmother’s” traditional cleaning methods are used, and in the most modern high-tech kitchens, where special chemical compounds are used. An indisputable argument in favor of traditional methods is an allergy to household chemicals in the housewife or her family members.

If the housewife is allergic to chemicals, then you can use folk remedies to clean the refrigerator.

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Household chemicals

Today, a considerable number of specialized hygiene products for refrigeration equipment are produced. Popular forms of release are spray foam, liquid, gel. They are preferred because of their effectiveness and properties: usually these household chemicals have an antibacterial effect, they can be used to wash even old stubborn stains, and they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor washing. Depending on the manufacturer, the cost of these goods varies.

Household chemicals are used to clean internal and external surfaces.

Products of expensive well-known brands:

• Electrolux E6RCS104 (in the form of a spray liquid, made in Italy).
• WPRO FRI 00 (a similar option, also made in Italy).
• Topperr 3104 (refrigerator care kit consisting of cleaning agent, microfiber cloth and odor absorber based on activated carbon granules, made in Germany). At a significantly lower price, you can purchase the spray separately.

Budget options.

• Clean Home (universal washing gel, domestic manufacturer).
• Selena (spray liquid, made in Russia).
• “Clean refrigerator” from Luxus (with aromas of lime, grapefruit, mint. Sprayable product, Russian production using German technology).

For washing, you can use Russian and foreign detergents.

Between expensive and inexpensive brands there are many mid-priced items. Before using as directed, you should study the manufacturer's recommendations for use on the label.

Important! Manufacturers claim that their chemical masterpieces do not require a final wipe down of the refrigerator, since they do not contain substances that are toxic to humans and can be absorbed into food. But it’s better to use clean water - we can assume that there really are no toxins, but allergens for specific people may be present.

At the end of washing, you can wipe the surfaces with plain clean water.

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Folk remedies

If the housewife or her household have allergic reactions to the smell of chemical compounds, you should find out how to properly and cleanly wash a new refrigerator using improvised means.

For the first method you will need:

• regular baking soda;
• clean, room temperature water;
• sponge or cloth;
• towel.

How to prepare a cleaning solution: stir 2 (if the refrigerator smells strongly - 4) tablespoons of soda in a liter of water. The entire process will require (depending on the size of the device) approximately 5 liters of water. After finishing the sanitation, thoroughly rinse the sponge or rag or take a clean one - and remove the remaining soda.

If you are allergic to chemicals, you can use regular soda.

A soap emulsion will remove dirt just as effectively as soda - to get it, grate a little laundry soap (you can use soap), add water and create a soap solution.

For the second method, the same water and sponge will be useful, but take the famous home odor remover - vinegar. Two tablespoons per 1 liter of water is enough.

Vinegar is a universal odor eliminator.

Both cameras can be washed with both products. After washing and wiping clean, thoroughly dry the entire interior of the device with a towel. If necessary, allow to dry on its own.

Important! Do not wipe rubber gaskets with vinegar solution to avoid drying out and deterioration.

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Cleaning the refrigerator with soda

If you do not welcome the use of chemicals to clean the refrigerator, in which you will later store food for the whole family, there is an environmentally friendly analogue to replace any cleaning product.

You probably have baking soda in your house. So, it is ideal for cleaning a new refrigerator. It will not cause any harm to your health, and will cope perfectly with the unpleasant smell of plastic in the chamber of a new refrigerator.

So, take baking soda, a soft sponge and warm water, and then carry out the following manipulations:

• dissolve several tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate in one liter of warm water;
• completely soak the sponge in the resulting solution and treat all surfaces inside the new refrigerator (don’t forget about shelves, drawers, trays and grates);
• after treating with soda, thoroughly wash the refrigerator with clean water;
• Dry with a clean cotton towel or let the refrigerator dry on its own with the door slightly open.

Before purchasing a new refrigerator, remember that the material should not emit a pungent odor. If, upon opening the door, you notice a strong plastic smell, it is better not to buy such a refrigerator. Even treatment with chemical detergents will not destroy this smell in the chamber.

If there are foreign odors of aromatic products in the chamber of a new refrigerator, it means that the employees of the household appliance store have already tried to eliminate this problem. It is better to refrain from such a purchase.

After the new refrigerator is completely dry, you can connect it to the electrical network. Now you can safely send food to the camera. Make sure that food is fresh and tightly packaged. Otherwise, in a week you will again be scratching your head over what to use to clean the refrigerator.

Preparing for washing

A refrigerator has been brought to you. The first thing you need to do is look inside. The refrigerator and freezer compartments may contain items that are completely unnecessary for further use. We are talking about packaging materials - film, foam spacers. Throw away this trash.

Gather all the items needed to sanitize the unit so you have them on hand:

• rubber household gloves to protect the skin of the hands;
• sponges, napkins or clean cloths;
• a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture;
• the entire set of selected means - traditional or chemical;
• if you need to make a solution, prepare it.

A sponge, rubber gloves and household chemicals are all you need to clean the refrigerator.

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Washing technology inside and out

How to effectively clean a new refrigerator before use? Regardless of the cleaning composition used, care will be required to treat the refrigerator: its design features are such that you will have to pay a lot of attention to the little things (for example, poorly washed drawer corners may still emit an unpleasant odor). It's better to go according to plan:

1. Remove all removable elements from the chambers - shelves, drawers, trays, side pockets and other components. It is better to wash them with detergents under running water in order to accurately wash off not only dirt, but also any remaining product. Don't neglect corners and recesses. Dry all elements thoroughly or wait until they dry naturally.
2. Wash the chamber walls from top to bottom.
3. Be sure to check the drain hole (it is located on the back wall) - very often the strongest smell comes from it. It can be washed with a syringe or a medical rubber bulb by pouring a washing solution into the channel.
4. Cleaning the rubber seal can be successfully done using an old toothbrush.
5. Once the inside of the appliance has been washed, wipe it dry and leave the door open to allow the walls to dry completely.
6. Wash external surfaces using the same product. Slightly move the device away from the wall and inspect the back wall. If it is very dusty, remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Return the components to their original locations.
8. After 6 hours, you can connect the device to the power supply and fill it with contents.
9. If the technical smell is still noticeable, wipe the inside of the unit with a sponge with a solution of vinegar or citric acid. After this, wait 4 hours before turning on the device.

We start washing from the walls of the refrigerator chambers.

Important! All containers and packaging loaded into the chambers must be clean and dry on the outside - the chambers should be taken care of. There is no need to help the formation of an extra layer of ice in the freezer and increase the humidity level in the refrigerator compartment.

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Why wash

Before turning on the device, it is necessary to inspect the chambers for the presence of plastic films, cardboard or foam protective elements. Washing the refrigerator before use is necessary for:

• eliminating the unpleasant smell of plastic present when making a refrigerator from low-quality plastic;
• removal of dust and dirt arising during the transportation of household appliances;
• getting rid of technical contamination.

Treatment is necessary even if the refrigerator appears clean upon inspection.

What is the best way to clean the refrigerator freezer after defrosting?

After removing the melt water and ice formed as a result of defrosting, you should wash the freezer.

Recommendations:

1. It is better to use warm water.
2. A solution of water with dishwashing liquid or an ordinary soap solution with a slight addition of soda is suitable as a cleaning composition. As a working tool - a soft sponge or rag. Never use steel wool!
3. It is recommended to wash rubber door seals with soap and water and quickly rinse off the solution.
4. Wash the treated chamber clean from any remaining solution. If the smell persists, go over it with a sponge and a solution of citric acid or soda.
5. Folk remedies are also suitable for severe dirt and stains - all this can be easily washed off with toothpaste, ammonia or a mixture of both.

Before washing a regular refrigerator, you need to defrost it.

Important! To treat the freezer, it is strictly forbidden to use cleaners containing abrasive elements that can damage the walls of the chamber. It is also undesirable to use aggressive household chemicals (you should listen less to advertising that broadcasts the complete harmlessness of these drugs, that’s why they are advertising. Too active chemicals can damage the camera itself or spoil the quality of the products in it. The health of the whole family will suffer).

To clean the freezer, do not use products that contain abrasive elements.

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What means do you use to remove stains?

Now you know the washing technology and the answer to the question “How to properly wash a refrigerator?”, but I will now tell you how (with what means) to wash it from the inside. This information will be especially useful for those who do not like household chemicals, preferring folk remedies for cleaning.

So, here’s how to deal with dirt and unpleasant odors inside the refrigerator:

1. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Hard-to-remove or dried-on stains from food and drips can be washed with the familiar baking soda. But you need to prepare a liquid slurry:

• mix baking soda and warm water until the consistency of kefir;
• apply the resulting slurry to a soft gauze cloth;
• apply to the dried stain and leave for 30 minutes;
• after this, rub the contaminated area a little and rinse with warm, clean water;
• Be sure to wipe the area to be cleaned dry.

Baking soda will quickly soften dried dirt so that it can be easily removed.

2. Hot soapy water.

Laundry or any other soap will thoroughly clean the rubber seals of the refrigerator:

grate a small piece of laundry soap on a fine grater and dissolve in hot water; mix thoroughly to completely dissolve the soap; Wash all rubber seals with hot soapy water, paying special attention to folds because

it is in them that various dirt accumulates most; after treating with a soap solution, rinse off any remaining residue with clean water; Wipe all seals dry with a dry gauze cloth (due to its soft structure, it will remove excess moisture from the folds).

3. Only warm water for glass shelves.

Never wash glass refrigerator shelves with hot water. Due to sudden temperature changes, the glass may crack. If you need to quickly clean your refrigerator, then wash the glass with lukewarm or cool water. If you decide to devote some of your time to cleaning, then take out the glass shelf and place it in the room. Let it warm up to room temperature. Only after this can you wash it with hot water.

4. Hot water + ammonia.

To remove old stains and stains, you can use a solution of hot water and ammonia:

• Before the procedure, put on rubber gloves;
• dissolve a little ammonia in hot water in a ratio of 1:7, respectively;
• soak a rag in the resulting solution and place it on the dried stain;
• leave for 30-45 minutes;
• at the end of the specified time, wipe the contaminated area with a soft sponge;
• Only then can you wash the refrigerator with plenty of water.

5. Apple cider.

Try not to resort to using aggressive chemicals to clean the inside of the refrigerator; it is better to replace it with those available at home.

You can use apple cider to clean the inside of your refrigerator just as well as professional cleaning products. Believe it or not, this is an excellent product for cleaning your refrigerator at home.

The cider should be used as follows:

• mix a glass of apple cider and a liter of warm water;
• Stir well and soak a soft sponge in the solution;
• start washing all surfaces inside the refrigerator;
• After this, rinse all shelves and walls with clean water and wipe dry with a kitchen towel.

6. Toothpaste or tooth powder.

Old, dried stains can be removed with toothpaste or tooth powder. Toothpaste is considered a soft abrasive that will effectively and gently clean the plastic surface of the refrigerator:

• Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a porous sponge and treat all surfaces inside the refrigerator;
• remove shelves, drawers and trays and wash them in the bathroom or kitchen sink;
• Finally, rinse the paste thoroughly with plenty of water and wipe the surfaces dry;
• return all removable elements to their place.

In addition to effective cleaning, the mild aroma of toothpaste will rid the refrigerator of unpleasant odors.

An alternative to toothpaste can be tooth powder:

• mix tooth powder and water so that the paste has the consistency of thick sour cream;
• follow the same procedure as with toothpaste, then rinse with plenty of water and wipe all surfaces with a dry towel.

How often should you clean your refrigerator in the future?

A refrigerator is a device that requires simple but regular maintenance. Food is stored in it, so its sanitary condition must be impeccable for the health of the whole family. An untidy, stained refrigerator that emits killer “aromas” is a marker of mismanagement and even a lack of general culture (there is a culture of eating, part of the everyday etiquette of a well-mannered person).

Wet cleaning of the refrigerator should be done 1-2 times a month.

To make it a pleasure to approach and use the refrigerator, follow these simple rules:

1. Check its contents as often as possible: throw away expired foods and stale ready-made meals. Clean up the shelves - often in a hurry to unload bags brought from the store, people put away what they bought at random. Each product should have its own place.
2. To prevent the internal space of the unit from smelling with the mixed amber of herring, pilaf and cheesecake, keep the food packaged: there are special containers, lids for pots, cling film for dishes. If you have moved a product from the freezer to a simple defrosting chamber, place it in a deep bowl to prevent liquid (meat juice, water from thawing) from leaking onto the shelf.
3. All dishes placed on shelves must be clean. The bottom of boxes for storing vegetables can be covered with polyethylene or paper napkins - trash often falls off vegetables and they are not always clean.
4. Immediately remove stains and drips with a damp cloth or sponge, without allowing them to dry out. Stains on the outside should also be wiped off quickly so that they do not eat into the surface of the device. With regular maintenance, you don’t even need special cleaners - the surface can be easily wiped with a damp cloth or sponge. Detergents should be used if oil or grease stains have formed.
5. Once every 3 months - at least - defrost the device and carry out general, internal and external cleaning.

If these rules are followed, the refrigerator will last a long time and will be a completely aesthetic element of the kitchen interior.

The surface of the refrigerator can be easily cleaned with a damp sponge or cloth.

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Foreign odors

An unpleasant aroma in the inner chamber may appear due to improper storage of food or clogged drainage system. It is necessary to find out the cause, eliminate it and use special means to get rid of the problem.

Industrial fresheners and absorbers

To eliminate odors in the refrigerator, you cannot use devices and means that are not designed to be safely adjacent to food. Air fresheners for rooms, cars, and furniture are absolutely not suitable.

Effective for the prevention and control of unpleasant odors:

1. Gel granules. Placed in a compact plastic container that is placed on shelves or in the refrigerator door. Validity period: 3-4 months.
2. Indicator egg. They absorb foreign odors using a carbon filter and change color when the temperature in the unit changes. Validity period: 45 days.
3. Ionizer. The device is not battery operated and can be used once a day for 15 minutes.

Read about methods and means of removing odors inside the refrigerator in this section.

Available means

Treating the camera with a solution will help get rid of the problem:

• apple cider vinegar;
• ammonia;
• lemon juice.

Absorbing properties have:

• salt crystals;
• crushed activated carbon;
• baking soda.

One of the products needs to be poured into a small container and placed in the inner chamber.

You can give a homemade absorber a citrus aroma by adding a few drops of orange, lemon, and lime essential oil to the filler.

Useful tips for cleaning a new refrigerator before use

Before starting sanitary and hygienic work, you need to carefully evaluate the smell from the unit: even an unpleasant one is better than a fragrance. The fact is that manufacturers do not carry out such processing of the finished product. This was done by the seller to hide the defect (perhaps there were technological violations in the manufacture of the device, and its technical smell is too strong). It is not known what was used to aromatically treat the device and whether the product is dangerous to the health of customers. The situation is a reason to contact the retail outlet with a complaint.

Before you start cleaning the refrigerator, you need to evaluate the smell from the unit.

If new owners of the device prefer to make their own cleaning solution, it will be more convenient to use if you pour it into a spray bottle.

If after washing you notice a faint but still industrial smell, you can remove it without purchasing chemical absorbents. You need to place any of the following folk odor eliminators on the shelves:

• pieces of black bread (it is advisable to leave the refrigerator closed for a long time so that they absorb the smell);
• saucer with chopped lemon slices;
• a glass of soda;
• gauze bag filled with rice, black tea or granulated sugar;
• tea bags;
• glass with vanilla extract.

Even the ghost of a bad smell will disappear without a trace.

A piece of black bread will help eliminate the unpleasant smell from the refrigerator.

Don't neglect cleaning your new refrigerator. After all, this procedure takes a little time - while the chambers are drying, it is quite possible to do other things.

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