How to wash a new refrigerator before the first use

What is the proper way to clean a new refrigerator before using it for the first time? Often, when people are excited about getting a new product, they forget to consider this and start using the fridge right after it gets delivered. However, it is crucial to clean the refrigerator before using it.

With what and for what purpose to clean a new refrigerator?

• unpleasant smell caused by technical factors;
• pollutants from the production process;
• dust and dirt accumulated during transportation and storage in the warehouse.

Before using your new household appliance, it is important to clean it thoroughly to eliminate the specific smell present in all devices. Otherwise, this unpleasant odor will be absorbed by the food and other products you store in it.

It is important to keep in mind that the production of household appliances is not like food production, so it is not carried out in conditions of the highest cleanliness. Even a refrigerator that looks clean is not completely free from dirt. Dirt and dust can accumulate on the walls, shelves, and drawers of the appliance. It is important to note that the appliance does not go directly from the production workshop to the sales floor. After being manufactured, household appliances are transported to warehouses, where they may remain for a long time. When necessary, the appliance is then transported to a retail store, where it may have its own warehouse as well. It is also worth remembering that the appliance is transported to the buyer’s home in a specific order. While the refrigerator is securely packaged at the factory, the packaging is not vacuum-sealed and may still allow dust and germs to be present on the appliance.

What and how to clean?

A new refrigerator may also emit a fragrance. This is not the usual case. Manufacturers of household appliances do not treat their products with any substances. However, sellers may use fragrances to eliminate any defects or enhance the appliance’s market appeal. Since there is no information about what the device was treated with and whether it is harmful to the buyer’s health, this situation can be grounds for filing a complaint with the store. Special cleaning agents and general household cleaning products can be used for cleaning. In the past, before the availability of a wide variety of household chemicals in stores, every housewife used to clean her refrigerator with baking soda. This simple yet effective method is still considered reliable.

Irrespective of the selected item, thoroughly clean the refrigerator, giving careful attention to every detail. Along with the walls, ensure that all shelves, grids, drawers, and other accessories are thoroughly washed. Do not neglect the back wall. Properly clean the freezer compartment and all of its drawers. Cleaning the doors and other components is also necessary. Once all the components have been rinsed with clean water, wipe them down with a dry cloth. After 6 hours, the appliance can be put into use and stocked with food. If any persistent odors remain after washing with baking soda or specialized agents, it is necessary to wipe all parts with a sponge soaked in vinegar or citric acid. The device can be turned on after 4 hours following this procedure.

How to take care of the refrigerator?

In order to maintain the refrigerator in optimal condition, it is sufficient to adhere to basic guidelines. It is advisable to perform regular inspections, which involve verifying the expiry dates of items, disposing of any expired food, and maintaining overall organization on the shelves.

It is recommended to clean the exterior of the appliance on a weekly basis. You do not need to use specialized cleaning agents for this task. If you clean it regularly, you can simply dampen a cloth with water and wipe it down. However, if there are stubborn stains that penetrate the surface, you may need to use detergents. In any case, it is important to wipe away any stains immediately after they occur. For oil spills, using detergents is necessary. To prevent food odors from permeating the appliance and mixing, it is advisable to store all food in packages or tightly sealed containers. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the dishes being placed in the refrigerator are clean. To keep the drawers clean, you can line the bottoms with paper or thin cotton napkins. Another option is to use plastic bags, which will prevent vegetable husks from leaving behind any dirt.

To get rid of stains or drips, it is important to wipe them off using a damp cloth. When transferring frozen items to the fridge for defrosting, it is advised to place them in deep containers with tall edges.

Make sure to defrost and thoroughly clean the appliance every 3 months.

To ensure the cleanliness of the unit and all its components, it is important to thoroughly wash them with detergent. Special attention should be given to seals, trays where water drains, and the condenser coil.

If an unpleasant odor still persists in the refrigerator, there are several ways to eliminate it. The most effective option is to purchase special air purifier filters, which will provide 100% results.

You can also try using some homemade remedies, such as:

• Sprinkling open containers with baking soda;
• Placing slices of black bread on a saucer or cutting lemon slices;
• Putting a few activated charcoal tablets or tea bags on the shelves.