TOP 20 methods and tools to clean mold in the refrigerator
The appearance of mold in the refrigerator is usually attributed to a malfunction in household appliances. However, fungal spores, which cause the characteristic plaque on the inner walls, can also be introduced with food. To remove mold, traditional methods and purchased products are used. And after the procedure, the refrigerator will have to be processed again to remove the unpleasant odor.
Reasons for the appearance
The formation of mold plaque is due to the following reasons:
- constantly high humidity, due to which condensation forms;
- lack of tight fit of the rubber gasket on the door;
- turn off household appliances for a long time;
- the refrigerator does not wash and defrost for a long time.
Mold spores enter the refrigerator with food. It is therefore recommended to wash the latter before storage and to throw it away if there are signs of rot on the vegetables or fruits.Molds, under favorable conditions, multiply rapidly.
To avoid negative consequences, it is recommended to immediately process the refrigerator after the appearance of a characteristic plaque on the inner walls.
What harm can this cause?
Mold spores cause in humans:
- an allergic reaction;
- intoxication of the body;
- renal pathology;
- dermatoses and other skin diseases.
The danger of such fungi is that, getting into the body, the spores attack the immune system, so a person becomes more susceptible to pathogenic bacteria and is more likely to get sick. However, such consequences occur mainly in people who are constantly in contact with mold.
Basic methods
You can fight mold in the refrigerator using both traditional methods and household chemicals. Each of the options has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whichever method is chosen, the refrigerator is processed according to an algorithm:
- The device is disconnected from the power supply. Food is removed from interior chambers.
- Removable parts and shelves are removed, after which they are soaked for 2 hours in a soda solution (you can take another cleaning agent).
- The refrigerator is completely defrosted and treated with the selected product.
- After the procedure, the inner walls are cleaned with water. If necessary, the rooms are treated with bleach.
- Finally, the interior parts are wiped with a dry cloth.
Refrigeration rooms after the procedure must be ventilated within 24 hours. Finally, the interior walls are reprocessed with a product designed to eliminate unpleasant odors, and the device is connected to the mains.
Traditional methods
These methods are considered more popular.This is for two reasons: the agents used are cheaper than commercial ones and are less likely to cause side effects such as an allergic reaction.
Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate helps eliminate mold from the refrigerator. Do not use the product if there is food remaining in the internal chambers. This is explained by the fact that copper sulfate is toxic to humans. This tool can be used only once to treat the refrigerator with a weakly concentrated solution. In large doses, copper sulfate damages the internal walls.
lemon acid
A solution of citric acid (100 milliliters per liter of lukewarm water) eliminates two unpleasant phenomena at once: the musty smell and fungal plaque. After such treatment, it is necessary to rinse the chambers again with clean water.
Chlorinated products
Chlorine agents, such as acetic acid solution, are used to eliminate mold and odors. After disinfection, it is recommended to rinse the refrigeration chambers with water.
If mold appears on the rubber seal, it should be treated with a low concentration chlorine solution. And after the procedure, apply petroleum jelly or oil.
Alcohol and solutions containing alcohol
If ammonia is used, this agent must be diluted before the procedure in water in equal proportions. The rest of the compositions can be used in their pure form. Alcohol inhibits the development of various pathogenic microorganisms, including fungal microflora. In order to avoid the reappearance of mold, it is recommended to wipe the interior walls at least twice.
Boura
To remove mold, you need to mix 2.5 liters of warm water and a glass of borax.With this solution, you need to process all the walls of the refrigerator, leaving the device to air out for 12-24 hours.
Baking soda
Baking soda can help clean the inside walls of mold. To do this, simply apply a small amount of powder to a sponge and wipe the affected parts. It is not recommended to apply too much pressure during such treatment. Soda is an abrasive substance that leaves visible scratches on the walls. After the procedure, wipe the walls of the refrigerator with a clean cloth and let the device air out.
tea tree oil
In terms of effectiveness, tea tree oil is superior to many folk remedies for fighting mold. This natural product has an antiseptic effect. To get rid of mold, you need to dilute a teaspoon of oil in a glass of water and treat the interior chambers with the resulting solution. It is not necessary to additionally rinse the refrigerator after the procedure.
Ultraviolet
The effectiveness of the procedure increases if you turn on an ultraviolet lamp for 30 minutes in front of the internal chambers. The latter suppresses the vital activity of molds.
laundry soap
The soapy solution obtained from laundry soap and a liter of water removes mold from interior rooms. It is recommended to process the refrigerator with this tool at least twice.
Lemon
Lemon is mainly used to eliminate unpleasant odors inside the refrigerator. If desired, you can squeeze the juice of this citrus fruit, mix it with water and treat the walls with the resulting solution.
The vinegar
A 5-9 percent solution of vinegar safely and relatively quickly kills fungus from the refrigerator.However, if this tool is used, in some cases it will be necessary to wipe the affected parts with noticeable effort. In addition to eliminating mold, the sting eliminates bad odors.
Industrial remedies
Purchased household chemicals have a similar effect to people. But, unlike the latter, the former have a complex effect, simultaneously eliminating traces of other types of pollution.
Mister Muscle
Mister Muscle suppresses the vital activity of the fungal colony and simultaneously removes traces of grease from internal surfaces. Wash the refrigerator with this product once enough to remove mildew.
Domestos
In terms of efficiency, Domestos is not inferior to Mister Muscle. But this tool differs in that it leaves an unpleasant smell in the refrigerator, which will require additional processing of the rooms to get rid of it.
Comet
Comets also have antifungal effects. In terms of efficiency, this tool is in many ways similar to the previous ones.
Sillite
The main difference between Sillit and the listed household chemicals is only the price. The effect of the action of the products is the same.
Topperr
A special feature of this product is that in addition to the cleaning agent, the Topperr brand sells antibacterial and antifungal mats that prevent the formation of mold.
Apartment
Flat does not contain chlorine, so the product can be used to remove mildew that has accumulated on the rubber gasket. Under this brand, cleaners are produced with various flavors: apple, orange and others.
Luxus
Like the previous product, Luxus comes with grapefruit and lime flavors.
Good
Bon is available as a spray and is hypoallergenic.It provides long-lasting protection against bacteria and freshens the refrigerator.
upper house
Top House is a universal cleaner suitable for cleaning freezers.
Methods to get rid of unpleasant odors
To eliminate the unpleasant smell that appears with the growing colony of fungi, it is enough to lay out on the shelves of the refrigerator:
- Charcoal;
- a packet of infused tea;
- black bread;
- lemon peel;
- fresh potatoes;
- raw rice;
- a soda.
To eliminate the unpleasant smell, it is recommended to treat the walls with vinegar or citric acid. To completely eliminate the problem, you will need to perform this procedure at least twice.
Rules of maintenance and operation
To prevent the spread of mold inside cold rooms, it is necessary to:
- periodically check the condition of products and discard damaged ones;
- store heat-treated products on a separate shelf;
- clean up leaks immediately;
- monthly treat the walls of the refrigerator with water mixed with a small amount of soda;
- store finished products in closed containers;
- periodically spread silica gel or dry bread crusts in the inner chambers to remove excess moisture.
If the refrigerator has been inactive for a long period, it is recommended to leave the door open during this period.