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However, keeping a clean refrigerator, inside and out, can protect you from food borne illness, cross-contamination of foods, and general ill health. You could be at risk for food poisoning from spills, mold and bacteria in your refrigerator if it is not maintained properly. Not only should you clean the inside of your refrigerator, but also the door, and especially the door handle, on a regular basis. Cleaning out your refrigerator’s water dispenser will also protect you from germs and build up in the water flow lines, especially if you live in an area with hard water.
To keep your refrigerator cooling properly, thus saving you energy and money, you will want to clean your refrigerator’s coils regularly as well. These coils carry the coolant that pulls heat from the refrigerator and thus cools everything inside. Your refrigerator should be cooling at 40°F or lower to prevent the growth of bacteria. Cleaning your refrigerator coils is a relatively simple task that you should be able to handle on your own. Not only will it help your refrigerator run more efficiently, but it may also help to protect your good health.
So, how often should you clean your refrigerator? Well, that depends in large part on your cleaning habits. If you are the type of person who wipes up spills as they happen, you won’t have to deep clean as often. You should also make sure that things you are defrosting in the refrigerator, especially raw meats, are placed in a leak-proof container to avoid spills and cross-contamination. It’s also best to do your meat defrosting on the bottom shelf for the same reason. Also, make sure any items you are putting into the refrigerator are clean so you don’t cause another mess for yourself. Clean the refrigerator’s handle on a frequent basis; it gets touched all the time. These are things you should always be conscious of.
Now, on at least a weekly basis, you should go through and throw out old or spoiled foods. When disposing of expired foods, if the food isn’t dated, you can refer to this Cold Food Storage Chart to view the safety information on the item’s shelf life. Since you can neither smell nor taste the bacteria that cause food poisoning, you should never try to taste something to see if it is still good.
After you have purged your refrigerator of these items, clean the outside of the refrigerator (don’t forget the top) with a damp cloth and mild soap. Also, wipe off shelves, wipe around the door seals, and wipe out the vegetable bins.
If you follow this schedule, you will only have to deep clean about every three to four months, or seasonally. Be sure to change the water filters in your water dispenser according to your manufacturer’s recommendations – about every six months.
There’s more than one method for cleaning your refrigerator. However, you will want to think about what you are using to clean with. Will it taint the foods and beverages in your refrigerator? Will it damage your appliance? While choosing the best option is a matter of personal preference, it might interest you to know that the CDC recommends good old soap and water to do the job.
So, here’s what you’ll need:
Now that you’re ready to deep clean your refrigerator, here are some easy steps to follow to get your refrigerator clean and fresh and keep it that way until the next cleaning.
To cut down on food spoilage, make sure you don’t store perishable foods in the refrigerator door. This is because the temperature in the door fluctuates more than inside the refrigerator. Also, be sure to throw away any fresh fruits or vegetables that you have not refrigerated within two hours of having cut, peeled, or cooked them.
The very best way to clean out your refrigerator’s water dispenser is with distilled white vinegar. It will kill germs that may breed in your water dispenser’s tubing and can also clear away any buildup of minerals from hard water that may be affecting your water’s taste and your dispenser’s functioning. If you do live in an area with hard water, you will want to clean your refrigerator’s water dispenser about every six months to keep it running clear and well. Otherwise, you may not have to do this quite as often; but, it is a task that should not be neglected due to possibility of germ growth in your dispenser’s tubing.
Here’s what you will need to do the job:
Here’s what you do:
Remember to change your water filters about every six months, or in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Doing this and cleaning your refrigerator’s water dispenser will ensure that you have clean, clear and healthful water to drink year-round.
Okay, this is probably something you’ve never even heard of, much less thought of doing, right? But, it’s a simple task that you can do in just a few minutes that will improve your refrigerator’s functioning and may well save you on energy and, consequently, money. You’ll want to clean your coils about every six months, or more if your pets shed. This is because coils collect dirt, dust and pet hair, which hinders their performance, making your refrigerator work harder.
When dirt, dust and hair coat the condenser coils, they are unable to release heat efficiently, which makes the compressor work longer and harder than it was designed to. This, in turn, leads to a much shorter life span for your appliance. Your refrigerator should last you about twelve to fourteen years. And, coils that are caked with this mess can cause your power bills to go up as much as 35 percent.
Here’s what you’ll need:
There are generally two places where you will find your refrigerator’s coils. They will either be under the refrigerator, accessible from the front, or on the back of the refrigerator*.
It’s that easy. Now you have ensured that your refrigerator will run better, cool better, and thus, protect your food, and you, better. Wasn’t that worth a few minutes of your time?
Cleaning and maintaining your refrigerator doesn’t have to be an onerous task. If you follow these simple instructions, and clean it regularly, you can expect your refrigerator to treat you well in return.
*Some GE refrigerators have coils on the top of the appliance. If this is the case, disconnect the power at the circuit breaker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to proceed.
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