Your house abounds with appliances you use all the time, and you can’t imagine your life without them. Let’s look at your fridge, for instance. How would you keep your food safe without it? That would be mission impossible.
So what’s the best way to keep your fridge nice and tidy? Is cleaning it enough? Or do you need to disinfect it too? If you aren’t sure what to do, hiring Lafayette’s top house cleaners to deal with it is the perfect option. But if you want to face this challenge yourself, keep reading to learn how to do it!
Can we sanitize a refrigerator?
Keeping your fridge in tip-top shape requires you to both clean and disinfect it on a regular basis. Wiping the shelves and drawers with soapy water won’t necessarily kill viruses and bacteria, so sanitizing is a crucial step in your fridge maintenance routine.
Although most fridges only have to be cleaned and disinfected once every 3-4 months, you may need to clean yours more often if you have a large household or your family contains small children. This is a major factor in ensuring food safety at your home.
How do you disinfect a refrigerator?
To disinfect your fridge properly, follow this simple guide:
1. Take your food out, and use this moment to inspect the expiration dates. Throw away spoiled food, and wipe food containers with hot soapy water, then rinse, dry, and place them on a clean kitchen counter or table.
2. Remove any detachable parts and then wash them with hot soapy water. Rinse everything thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth. Place everything on a clean kitchen counter.
3. Wipe the interior of the fridge with hot soapy water. Make sure to clean every nook and cranny (pay special attention to the interior of the door and drawers that could not be taken out). An old toothbrush may come in handy. Rinse with clean water and dry with a clean cloth.
4. Combine 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach and a gallon of cold water to make your mighty disinfectant. Disinfect removable parts and the interior of the fridge carefully, making sure not to inhale the fumes. Let everything air dry.
5. Return the food and removable components you took out earlier back into the refrigerator.
6. Wipe the exterior of the fridge with hot soapy water first and then disinfect it with your bleach solution. If you have a stainless steel fridge, use rubbing alcohol instead of bleach.
Extra tips:
It is important to clean your fridge with soap and water before disinfecting it, as disinfectants don’t remove dirt.
Don’t put removable parts under hot running water as soon as you take them out. They will crack because of the difference between the fridge and room temperatures.
Don’t leave easily spoiled food out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Wear gloves to protect your hands.
Keep your windows open as bleach can cause nausea.
Wipe down and sanitize the kitchen counters.
Wash all cleaning cloths you used on your fridge before using them again.
Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and disinfect them with your DIY hand sanitizer once you’re done with your fridge.
If you want to go green, you can always use vinegar, as it can kill E-coli and Salmonella, some of the most common food-borne bacteria.
Where in Lafayette can I find efficient house cleaners?
Do you need to disinfect your bathroom and other rooms in your house, but you have no idea how to find the time to do it, what with all the other obligations you have? Well, the solution is just a few clicks away. Book an appointment with C&C Cleaning Company! We’ll match you with a carefully screened cleaning professional from Lafayette who will go the extra mile to make your home shine while you enjoy hiking at Prophetstown State Park with your friends and loved ones. Schedule an appointment online today!