How To Clean a New Fridge Before Using and Prepare It For Exploitation?

How to clean a new fridge? Should you, actually, clean it? How long should you wait before putting food in a new refrigerator? These may sound as simple questions, but it is important to know how to sanitize a new fridge, especially if you want to use natural cleaning products.

After buying a refrigerator, most people want to immediately turn on the appliance and fill it with food immediately after delivery. This is a fundamentally wrong decision, as the refrigerator definitely needs to be cleaned. Let’s be honest, the people that actually read the information that is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions are not rally a majority. This impatience, however, may lead to operation problems. You must wash the new refrigerator before using it for the first time, but this should be done in compliance with some rules.

Why should you clean a new refrigerator before using?

A new household appliance needs cleaning due to the specific smell that all devices have. That is why it is a must to thoroughly clean the refrigerator before using it for the first time. Otherwise, there is a great chance that the unpleasant aroma will be absorbed into all products that you will put in it. So, how to proceed and what to do first?

Before turning on the fridge, it is important to examine it from the inside, as you can find waste paper and various packaging materials, which must be removed. The second step is getting rid of odors and dirt. Usually the unpleasant smell is a result of:

• technical smell of plastic;
• pollution that was accumulated during the production of the appliance;
• dust and dirt accumulated during transportation and storage in the warehouse.
• We all know that the manufacturing process of household appliances does not happen in sterile conditions and even if your new fridge looks clean, you’d better sanitize it prior use.

Dirt and dust accumulate on the surface of the walls, shelves and drawers. After manufacturing, household appliances are transported to production warehouses, where they can stay for a long time before entering the sales area. Yes, they are well packed at the factory, but this packaging does not prevent accumulation of dust and microbes on the appliance. Even if the refrigerator is clean on the outside, plastics that have been kept in a closed box for a long time often have an unpleasant smell. You can find a wide range of different chemical products, and even whole sets for the care of the refrigerator but it is always a good idea to use natural ingredients like soda and vinegar. A new refrigerator may also have a sort of fragrance. This is not usual because manufacturers do not use fragrances. This can be done by the seller to make the appliance more presentable.

How to sanitize a new refrigerator?

To disinfect work surfaces from unpleasant odors, you can use chemical detergents or traditional methods: for example, baking soda, lemon or vinegar.

Soda and vinegar are traditionally used for cleaning and removing bad smell from the refrigerator. To prepare a homemade solution you need to mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with 3 liters (0,8 gallons) of water. It is not necessary to wash off the composition; it is enough to leave the chamber door open for several hours for ventilation.

Another homemade cleaning solution is a mixture of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 3 liters (0,8 gallons) of water. Both of these solutions are safe for the health of family members and for the device itself. After soda treatment of the entire surface, rinse it with clean water and wipe dry.

How to clean a new fridge – simple steps to follow

Start from the outside. It is necessary to clean the side walls, door and top of the refrigeration unit with a napkin soaked in homemade cleaning solution.

Next step – cleaning the inside. thoroughly rinse all shelves, grates, boxes and other accessories. Do not ignore the back wall. The freezer and all the drawers included in it must also be rinsed well. Doors should be cleaned as well as other parts. After all elements have been rinsed with clean water, they must be well wiped with a dry cloth.

If you use a store bought detergent, after the surfaces have been treated with a napkin soaked in detergent, it is imperative to wipe it with another napkin soaked in clean water, and then wipe it dry. This eliminates detergent residues that can cause specific unpleasant odors.

Do not use non-approved cleaners especially if they contain chlorine. Chlorine will damage the plastic parts of the unit and rubber door seals. Detergents containing abrasive particles will damage the appearance. Of course, the refrigerator will not stop working but scratches are not pleasing to the eye.

When can I turn on a new refrigerator after the first cleaning?

After the washing procedures are completed, the equipment shines clean, exudes a pleasant aroma and is absolutely disinfected from germs – you need to leave the refrigeration equipment open for at least 6 hours.

No matter how impatient you are to use your new refrigerator, wait until the appliance is completely dry after washing. Even if you wiped it with a dry towel, wait 20-30 minutes and only then load it with food and turn it on.

This will allow the remaining moisture and aromatic reagents to evaporate, and the technical modules are ready for operation. Only after the specified time has elapsed, you can put food on the shelves and turn on the appliances.

How to care for your new refrigerator?

Taking care of the refrigerator is very important, because it is the appliance responsible for maintaining food fresh and safe. To keep the refrigerator in good condition, it is enough to follow the basic rules.

Once every 3 months, you need to defrost the refrigerator and carry out a general cleaning. Be sure to turn off the refrigerator before cleaning it. Wait until it is completely defrosted and only then use a wet cloth. This is essential for your safety as you can get an electric shock if you clean a plugged appliance.

The outside and the inside of the refrigerator should be wiped at least once a week. It is not necessary to use special detergents for this purpose. If the procedure is carried out in a timely manner, it will be enough to slightly moisten a cloth with water. Stains and leaks should be wiped off as soon as possible.

Do not try to speed up the defrosting process by trying to break off the frost in the freezer with a knife or other sharp objects because you may damage the integrity of the surface. If necessary, you can speed up the melting of the ice by directing inward a jet of hot air from a hair dryer.

Food transferred from the freezer to the refrigerator for defrosting should be placed in deep, high-walled dishes.

Store food in plastic or glass containers with lids. Remember that the dishes or containers placed in the refrigerator must be clean. Check the contents of the refrigerator and dispose of spoiled food in a timely manner.

Do not put in the refrigerator food that has not cooled down. Warm food emits a lot of steam while cooling which will settle inside the chamber as condensation and can damage the refrigerator.

Cover the bottom of the vegetable drawers with paper or cotton napkins. In this way you will save time when cleaning them.

Place a small jar with baking soda, lemon slices, crushed activated charcoal on the shelf, or place tea bags on the shelves to prevent the appearance of bad smell in the refrigerator. Remember to periodically replace these absorbers with fresh ones.

Proper and timely care for your refrigerator is a guarantee that your food and therefore your health will be safe for a long time.