Is Salt The Secret To Having The Cleanest Fridge Ever?
Having a refrigerator is crucial to preserving food and minimizing waste. It's responsible for safeguarding your family's health by avoiding spoilage, foodborne diseases, and harmful bacteria growth. To this end, it's necessary to maintain cleanliness to create a healthy, hygienic space for your fridge's contents. Did you know that salt can be used to achieve this? Using salt as a cleaning agent can help you maximize the efficiency of your refrigerator while reducing the use of chemical-laden cleaners, making it a win-win solution for both your household and the environment.
Salt, a natural ingredient composed of sodium chloride, has been used for centuries to preserve food due to its antimicrobial properties. Its ability to absorb moisture also makes it an effective tool in preventing mold and mildew growth in damp areas. Using salt to clean your fridge is an easy and eco-friendly process that can eliminate unpleasant odors, remove stains, and maintain a hygienic appliance.
Cleaning your fridge with salt
Before beginning the cleaning process, remove all the food items from the fridge, storing them in a cooler with ice packs to maintain their temperature. This step allows you to access all the surfaces and corners of the fridge easily. If the appliance is especially dirty, you can unplug it to conserve energy. Then, mix a salt-based cleaning solution. Combine a cup of table salt with a gallon of hot water. Stir until the salt dissolves completely.
Remove the fridge shelves and drawers, and clean them individually. Submerge them in the salt solution or sprinkle salt directly on them and scrub gently. Rinse thoroughly with water and let them dry completely before placing them back in the refrigerator. Next, dip a clean sponge or soft cloth into the salt solution and wring out any excess liquid. Gently scrub the interior surfaces of the fridge, paying close attention to spills, stains, and food residues. The salt's abrasive nature will help loosen and lift grime while its antimicrobial properties will work to combat any lingering odors.
Additional tips
To remove stubborn stains or dried spills from your refrigerator, sprinkle some salt directly onto the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, dampen a sponge or cloth with the salt solution and gently scrub the stained area again. A natural abrasive, salt can help remove tough stains without damaging the fridge's surface(s). Don't forget to clean the exterior of your fridge as well. You can use the salt solution to wipe down the door handles, control panel, and any other areas that might have accumulated dirt or fingerprints.
Salt is also great for absorbing odors. You can combat unwanted smells in your fridge by placing a hollowed-out lemon or orange peel filled with salt on one of the shelves. The salt will absorb excess moisture, which can help reduce the growth of mold and mildew while neutralizing odors. Just be sure to toss it once the salt is damp. Once you've cleaned everything, let all the components dry entirely before reassembling the shelves and drawers into the fridge. Then, you can plug the refrigerator back in and adjust it to your desired temperature setting.