Why does mold appear in the refrigerator?
The fungus occurs in conditions of high humidity. It forms when the temperature is not adjusted correctly. Condensation on the surface of the refrigerator indicates that it is too warm inside; you need to lower the temperature by at least 1 degree.
Often black and green dots form on the folds of the elastic and on the walls. This is explained by keeping refrigeration equipment closed for a long time. Many apartment renters, when moving in, observe a similar picture. If the owner leaves the home for a long time, then the device must be disconnected from the network, the food must be removed and the door must be opened for airing. Thanks to air circulation and a dry environment, mold will not appear.
Another common reason is storing expired, spoiled food. Stale food, rotten fruits, vegetables, sour soup - all this creates a favorable environment for the appearance and spread of mold. You need to regularly check expiration dates, remove spoiled food and fight mold in the refrigerator.
How to get rid of mold on a door seal
The rubber on the refrigerator door is folded in several layers, so it is almost impossible to reach all the cracks without special tools.
To clean the gum from fungus, place the selected cleaning agent in a spray bottle and spray over its entire area. Arm yourself with cotton swabs or an old toothbrush. With their help you will reach even the most difficult to reach places.
Please note that if mold appears again after treatment within 24–48 hours, it means that fungal spores have settled in the gum itself. If this happens, the seal will have to be replaced.
Why is mold in the refrigerator dangerous?
A fungus that appears on food can spread to the walls of the equipment and spread throughout the entire device. In addition to food, spilled drinks turn green. Since mold is a member of the fungi family, it reproduces by spores. They are very dangerous for humans. Why are mold spores harmful?
- negatively affect the condition of the skin and can cause dermatitis;
- provoke allergic reactions of the respiratory tract, rhinitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis may appear;
- can lead to gastrointestinal diseases - gastritis, ulcers and even poisoning if a person eats an affected product;
- suppress immunity;
- cause kidney pathologies, including cirrhosis.
How to remove the smell of mold from the refrigerator using folk remedies
The housewife can use any of the listed options to remove the unpleasant stench. A quick-acting method is to use chemicals. But they are harmful and can leave behind a pungent odor. The fungus can be successfully removed using simple folk remedies.
How to get rid of mold smell in the refrigerator with vinegar
The acid effectively deals with fungus and allows you to remove mold from the rubber band of the refrigerator. It disinfects surfaces. Vinegar is also used to treat wounds. To process the unit, first remove all products from the device and inspect them for damaged products. Then prepare a mold remover in the refrigerator and wash the device with it:
- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar into a glass of water.
- The equipment is washed with a sponge and detergent.
- Dip a sponge into a vinegar solution and wipe surfaces, shelves, and rubber bands.
Important! Do not process metal parts as this will damage the refrigerator.
How to remove mold in the refrigerator with baking soda
Soda is a cleaning and disinfectant compound. It gets rid of black mold well in the refrigerator and prevents its re-formation. Sequencing:
- Prepare a solution - pour 1 tbsp per liter of water. l. soda
- Dip a rag into the mixture and wipe all surfaces - walls, shelves, rubber bands.
We recommend reading: Baking soda: beneficial properties, uses, how to take
All that remains is to wipe the entire device dry and leave the door open for ventilation.
How to remove mold in the refrigerator with laundry soap
Sequence of actions on how to clean a refrigerator from mold:
- Laundry soap is immersed in hot water and lathered a little.
- The resulting foam is applied to problem areas and left for 20 minutes.
- Then the equipment is wiped with a damp cloth and the foam is removed.
Important! When spores appear in certain parts, grate the soap and add a little water. Use a thick paste to clean hard-to-reach areas. You also need to wash off the mold in the refrigerator on the rubber band.
How to remove mold from the refrigerator with lemon juice
The fruit can both spoil the aroma in the refrigerator and help get rid of moldy amber. The spoiled fruit will saturate the food lying nearby. A fresh lemon, cut into 2 parts and placed on the shelf of the device, will absorb rich odors.
The second way to use lemon is to use juice. Nectar is squeezed out of the fruit and wiped on shelves and surfaces. Lemon will help remove the smell of fish and meat.
Lemon juice can be squeezed by hand or using a juicer. You can do it differently - cut the fruit into slices and squeeze the nectar out of each onto the shelves. Then rub it with a rag.
The main advantage of using lemon is that this method of cleaning the device does not take much time and effort. Also, the equipment does not need to be ventilated - citrus absorbs unpleasant odors.
How to clean a refrigerator from mold and brown odor
The method is simple - 1 cap of borax is diluted in 4 liters of water and stirred. Using the resulting mixture, you need to rinse the refrigerator from mold, dried areas, and moldy places. Use soft rags. After washing, open the doors and leave to ventilate for several hours.
How to remove mold smell from refrigerator with hydrogen peroxide
Instructions for using peroxide:
- You need to remove all food and drinks from the refrigerator.
- Peroxide is poured into a spray bottle without diluting with water.
- The mixture is sprayed over the affected surface.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
- Use a dry, clean rag to wipe the interior walls and remove mold.
Important! For hard-to-reach areas and corners, use an unnecessary toothbrush or cotton swabs.
If the smell of mold remains inside the refrigerator, then you need to use a scented detergent. Then open all the doors of the equipment and allow it to ventilate.
What other means can you treat your refrigerator for mold?
Lemon juice, soap and soda solution, tea tree oil, borax solution and ammonia solution diluted in a 1:5 ratio help effectively in the process of cleaning the refrigerator.
Here are a few healthy recipes that are easy to mix at home.
Recipe 1
Take 100 g of citric acid per 1 liter of water and stir thoroughly until the crystals are completely dissolved. Wipe the chamber with the prepared solution and leave it open to dry for at least 10 hours.
Recipe 2
Dilute 1 tbsp in three liters of hot water. Boers. The resulting product is used to treat the walls of the refrigerator. After the procedure, the doors should be opened wide during the day for air circulation.
Recipe 3
For 1 tbsp. add 1 tbsp of warm water. tea tree oil. Wipe the walls and shelves with a rag soaked in the solution. A clean refrigerator is dried for 24 hours.
How to remove the smell of mold in the refrigerator using household chemicals
If folk remedies do not help remove the smell of mold, then you should use chemicals. Antifungal compounds are sold in any hardware stores. They are adapted for use at home.
Fungicidal group products are characterized by high efficiency rates and inexpensive prices. Universal anti-fungal preparations for all surfaces include:
- "Mister Muscle";
- "Comet";
- "Domestos".
The means that help clean refrigeration equipment directly are as follows:
- Flat;
- Luxus;
- Bon;
- Thor House;
Also on the market are preparations with an ecological composition. They are completely non-toxic and do not have a negative effect on the skin and respiratory organs. List:
- OdorGone is a water-based product. In 12 hours it will destroy harmful bacteria and remove lingering odors.
- Top House set, consisting of a napkin and a spray. This universal product cleans surfaces, removes dirt, and fights germs. The product effectively and quickly eliminates unpleasant odors.
- Indesite for instruments is presented in the form of a solution. Use a spray bottle to spray into corners, gum, and areas with fungus. After 1 minute, rinse with clean water. The composition removes mold very quickly.
- Clean Home is a gel that, according to the manufacturer, is safe. Hydrogen peroxide is used for production. The gel does not need to be washed off after application.
The principles of working with cleansing preparations are the same. First, the composition is applied to a sponge or immediately sprayed onto the walls if it is a spray product. Leave for a few minutes and remove.
Important! Due to the fact that chemicals can emit a specific odor, the refrigerator should be treated to remove mold using water and vinegar.
Special odor absorbers are popular on the market, which include the following:
- devices with carbon filters, they need to change filters every 2 months;
- egg-shaped absorbers that can kill mold in the refrigerator;
- Silica gel beads are inexpensive and additionally absorb moisture.
Store-bought anti-fungal remedies
All means are good in the fight against mold. To exterminate the enemy in the bud, you can use professional antifungal agents, which are sold in any hardware store and are intended for use in domestic conditions. Modern fungicidal preparations are highly effective and affordable.
Universal anti-mold products that are suitable for any surface and for the refrigerator, including “Mr. Muscle”, “Domestos”, “Komet”, “Sillit” and others.
If you are interested in a product specifically designed for the refrigerator, check out the following products:
- Flat - Refrigerator cleaner.
- Topperr - Refrigerator cleaner.
- Luxus - Cleaning product for refrigerators and freezers.
- Bon - Refrigerator cleaner.
- Thor House - Refrigerator Cleaner.
How to clean mold in the refrigerator is up to you, but you need to read the instructions included with each product.
Preventing mold in the refrigerator
A set of measures, the implementation of which will help prevent the appearance of fungus in the refrigerator:
- Maintain the device regularly. It needs to be washed and cleaned. Inspect and audit. If spoiled products are found, they are thrown away.
- Check the condition of the rubber band. If it dries, then lubricate it with Vaseline or oil.
- If the refrigerator “blooms,” this indicates problems - lack of tightness, high humidity. In this case, it is necessary to carry out repair work to normalize climatic conditions or replace the compressor.
- If there is dirt under the seal, it is recommended to call a professional for professional cleaning. This happens in offices, in used devices.
- Regularly invite a specialist who can recognize the first signs of mold.
- Seal pots, containers, and drawers hermetically. Products can be wrapped in cling film. It is important to wipe down surfaces to prevent crumbs from getting into the drain.
- If you have a long trip ahead, it is recommended to defrost the unit, remove all food, wash it and open the doors.
- Dry vegetables and fruits before placing them in the compartments.
In exceptional advanced cases, a drastic measure will help - rehanging the door with a new seal.
It is important to clean the unit not only inside, where the products are located. Fungi hide in the drainage pipe and pan. Through the tube, the moisture from their equipment enters a special container. It is in these areas that air almost does not circulate. There are ideal conditions for the spread of fungus. When processing the refrigerator, move it away from the wall and repeat the washing procedure with the tray and tube.
Prevention
To avoid the appearance of mold in the refrigerator, you should follow a few simple rules.
- Check the contents of the refrigerator more often for expired or stale food. Remove spoiled food promptly.
- 2. Once every 2-3 months, carry out hygienic treatment using detergents or soda solution.
- Keep the drain hole clean. Stagnant liquid there often causes the development of fungus. You can easily wash the drain using a small syringe.
- If the refrigerator needs to be turned off for a long time, do not forget to wash it and leave the doors open for ventilation.
It is easier to prevent mold formation than to get rid of it!
