The past couple of years has caused many of us to up our cleaning game. One cleaner in particular that quickly gained popularity is bleach. But is bleach safe to clean your refrigerator with?
You can clean your refrigerator with bleach. Use caution when cleaning with bleach. Bleach should not be used at full strength to clean the refrigerator. Straight bleach can do damage to certain surfaces and is also harmful to the skin and can cause respiratory issues.
Cleaning your refrigerator with bleach will surely kill germs and bacteria and mold. But there is some caution when cleaning your refrigerator with bleach.
Safety First
Here are some important safety measures to keep in mind when cleaning with bleach.
Whether you are cleaning an old refrigerator that has not been used in a while or you want to give your refrigerator a deep cleaning, be sure to use the bleach solution in a well-ventilated area. Inhaling bleach has been known to cause skin, eye, and respiratory issues when inhaled.
It is also very important to protect your skin. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. You don’t want those chemicals getting into your system.
Prolonged exposure to bleach, such as when cleaning a refrigerator, can cause burns or other serious skin irritations. Protect your hands and arms by wearing long rubber gloves when cleaning with bleach.
After cleaning the refrigerator, let the refrigerator air out for at least 10 minutes before returning any food. This will give the bleach fumes enough time to dissipate.
Disposal of Bleach
Not to be forgotten is how to properly dispose of the bleach solution. Since the bleach is already diluted with water, it is safe to pour it down the drain or flush it down the toilet.
If you decide to pour the mixture down the drain, be sure to follow the bleach with a bunch of water. This will help to further weaken the bleach and prevent it from having an adverse reaction with other chemicals that have been put down the drain.
You can dispose of the mixture outside, but it is best to dispose of it in an area that doesn’t have any plants you care about. The chemical reaction created by the sun and bleach interacting can kill some plants.
Is It Safe To Clean Fridge With Bleach?
You want to kill germs but you don’t want to ruin your lungs. Bleach is effective but powerful. Is it safe to clean the fridge with bleach?
It is safe to clean the fridge with bleach, but only when used correctly. Straight bleach should never be used to clean the fridge as it can damage the surfaces and the scent will be overpowering. Dilute the bleach with water and ensure the scent has time to clear out before returning any food.
Caution should always be exercised anytime bleach is used. Wear rubber gloves and make sure there is sufficient airflow when using bleach. Fumes from bleach can cause respiratory and eye issues.
Bleach is not recommended for general cleaning purposes, but it is a good option when you are removing mold or cleaning up raw meat juices.
When it comes to cleaning our refrigerator, it is best to combine using bleach with warm, soapy water. The soapy water will remove stuck-on food grime. Once the refrigerator is clean, following with bleach will ensure mold and other bacteria are killed.
Because bleach is so strong, dilute the bleach by mixing 1 Tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. You should also wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from bleach. Undiluted bleach can cause burns or other serious skin irritations.
Remove all food items from the refrigerator before starting. You do not want to risk any bleach, even the scent, affecting your food. After using bleach inside the refrigerator, let the refrigerator air out for at least 15 minutes. You can also use baking soda to help absorb the bleach fumes.
Use a sponge to scrub all of the surfaces inside the refrigerator, including the walls. Don’t forget to clean around the drawer hinges where food and juices often collect.
Another alternative to cleaning with liquid bleach is cleaning wipes that contain bleach. Clorox wipes make it easy to quickly and safely clean the refrigerator. While Clorox wipes may not be as cost-effective as liquid bleach, the wipes make it easy to clean small messes.
What Bleach Alternative To Clean Your Refrigerator?
You want the germ and mold-killing benefits of cleaning with bleach but you do not want the chemical exposure. What bleach alternative to cleaning your refrigerator is available?
Bleach alternatives to cleaning your refrigerator are vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar’s high acid content makes it a great alternative to bleach. When combined with baking soda, the fizzy chemical reaction will break down hard, stuck-on grime, making it easier to remove.
White distilled vinegar is the best vinegar to use for cleaning purposes. It is both cost-effective and has the right amount of acidity to clean and disinfect without being harmful to you or your refrigerator.
For especially tough messes, let the vinegar soak on the spot for a few minutes. The acid in the vinegar will start to break down the ingredients. Then sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar, creating a fizz. The fizz will further break down the ingredients, making it easier to remove the mess.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for ease of use. If you find the vinegar smell is too strong, add more water. The vinegar scent will dissipate quickly and is not harmful to the food in the refrigerator.
If you continue to smell vinegar every time you open the refrigerator, put some baking soda in an open container inside the refrigerator. The baking soda will absorb the vinegar odor. You will notice a difference right away.
This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on Apr 26, 2022..
Not to be forgotten is good old-fashioned soap and water. Warm, soapy water does a great job at general cleaning. In fact, it is often recommended that you first clean the refrigerator with soapy water and then follow with bleach.
How Much Bleach Can You Use To Clean Refrigerator?
You open your refrigerator and notice it has a moldy scent. Your first thought is to reach for the bleach. But how much bleach can you use to clean the refrigerator?
To clean your refrigerator with bleach, mix 1 Tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of hot water. Wear rubber gloves. Use a sponge or towel to wipe down all of the surfaces inside the refrigerator, including the door gasket.
Very little bleach is needed to clean the refrigerator. If you are cleaning an old refrigerator that has not been in use, you may need to use more bleach, but be careful to not use too much. Too much bleach can be damaging to certain surfaces and seals.
If the thought of using too much bleach is stressing you, use cleaning products that contain bleach, such as Clorox wipes. Using wipes is not as cost-effective as liquid bleach, but you will not have to worry about measurements, fumes, or protecting your eyes, skin, and lungs.
How To Clean A Moldy Fridge With Bleach?
You open your refrigerator door and get an unexpected scent of mold. You are probably wondering how this could be. You clean your fridge, you throw out leftovers. Where is the mold coming from?
Despite your best efforts, refrigerators encourage mold growth. Mold loves to grow in damp, dark locations.
Mold must be removed quickly. Allowing it to grow, especially near food, can cause serious health issues.
The most common place for mold inside a refrigerator is on expired food, such as meats and cheese. If the mold is left undisturbed, it can start to grow on surfaces in contact with the food.
Mold can quickly grow inside a refrigerator that has been without power, such as during an extended power outage.
To clean a moldy refrigerator, you will first want to remove all the food from inside the refrigerator. Place the food in coolers to keep it at a safe temperature.
Remove the shelves and drawers, soaking them in warm, soapy water, if possible. Spray any mold with a mixture of warm water and bleach.
Spray the inside of the refrigerator with the bleach mixture. Use a sponge and toothbrush to scrub areas that are harder to reach or have more mold.
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the bleach mixture off. If the mold is still present, spray the area with bleach again and let it sit for a few minutes.
Let the refrigerator air out before returning any food items. If the scent continues to linger, place an open box of baking soda inside the fridge to absorb the odor.
This article was first published on Apr 26, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..
To clean a moldy fridge with bleach, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 gallon of hot water. Wear protective rubber gloves. Make sure the room is well ventilated. After cleaning the refrigerator, leave the refrigerator doors open for at least 15 minutes to air it out.
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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on Apr 26, 2022 and last modified on .