When should you clean the refrigerator?
To prevent the growth of bacteria that can spoil food, you should clean the refrigerator regularly. This is especially important if you have young children under the age of 5, elderly individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems, as they are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses.
Experts suggest that if you are diligent, you can clean your refrigerator on a weekly basis. If not, cleaning it every two weeks is the most reasonable cycle. To save time, you can clean your refrigerator right before you go shopping for a new batch of groceries.
In particular, for refrigerators that often store raw meat, poultry, seafood, or fresh milk, regular cleaning is necessary. These items are related to Listeria monocytogenes – a bacteria that can grow in cold temperatures and cause illness in humans.
How to clean the refrigerator
When you start cleaning your refrigerator, you need to remove all the items inside and place them on a clean surface. Make sure that the cleaning process doesn’t cause the food to spoil. Next, remove the removable items such as shelves and wash them thoroughly with hot soapy water, then rinse with clean water. If your refrigerator has glass shelves, let them sit outside for a while before washing them with hot water to avoid cracking.
Also, use a clean cloth or a new sponge to wipe the surfaces of the refrigerator. Clean the surfaces with hot soapy water. After cleaning, make sure to dry the inside of the refrigerator using a clean cloth or paper towel.
For the exterior surfaces of the refrigerator, you can clean them with a soft cloth and dish soap. For the freezer compartment, the temperature is too low for bacteria to grow. Therefore, maintain the freezer temperature and clean it by wiping away any debris regularly.
How to disinfect the refrigerator
Many people think that the cleaning method we mentioned above is enough to keep the refrigerator clean. However, to ensure maximum cleanliness, you need to use chemicals to kill bacteria.
The simplest and most readily available disinfectant is unscented bleach (5.25% – 8.25% sodium hypochlorite) diluted with water. Additionally, you can use hydrogen peroxide (3%) heated or distilled white vinegar heated to kill bacteria in the refrigerator. Spraying one of these solutions mentioned above inside the refrigerator and wiping it clean with a cloth will help thoroughly disinfect the items.
Source: Thanh Huyen – Vietnamnet.vn
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