Step 1
Confirm and keep food safely cold
Ask the employer what to keep, discard or store separately. Move perishable food to another refrigerator or a cooler supplied with enough ice packs.
HW001 · Kitchen cleaning
How to Clean a Refrigerator Properly
Eight steps for the interior, shelves, drawers and door seals
Overview
Confirm with the employer which food should be kept before removing items and detachable parts section by section. Clean from top to bottom, dry every part, then return food according to the household's arrangement. This guide does not replace the appliance manual.
Tools needed
- Two or three clean soft cloths or soft sponges
- One basin of warm water and one of clean water
- Mild dishwashing detergent used according to its label
- A small brush or soft toothbrush
- A clean towel
- Another refrigerator or a cooler with enough ice packs
- A refrigerator thermometer
Cleaning steps
Step 2
Switch off and unplug as instructed
Read the model manual, switch off and unplug the refrigerator as directed. Hold the plug itself; never pull the power cord. Follow any different manufacturer instruction.
Step 3
Remove parts and let cold glass warm
Remove detachable shelves and drawers according to the manual. Leave uncertain parts in place; let cold glass shelves reach room temperature before washing them with warm water.
Step 4
Wash shelves and drawers gently
Use warm water, a small amount of mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth. Do not use bleach, abrasive pads or harsh cleaners, and never mix cleaning chemicals.
Step 5
Wipe from top to bottom
Apply a little warm water and mild dishwashing detergent to a soft cloth, then clean the walls, shelf supports and corners. Do not spray a large amount near the interior or electrical parts.
Step 6
Clean the door seals
Use a slightly damp cloth and small brush to remove crumbs from the seal folds. Work gently and do not pull the seal away.
Step 7
Remove residue, dry and reconnect
Wipe away detergent residue with clean water and a clean soft cloth, then dry every surface and part thoroughly. Refit the parts correctly and reconnect power according to the manual.
Step 8
Return food only at safe temperatures
Wait until the refrigerator is at or below 4°C and the freezer at or below −18°C. Return sealed food with raw and cooked items separated. For perishable food held at 4–60°C: under 2 hours may be chilled or used; 2–4 hours use immediately; over 4 hours discard.
4 common mistakes
✕ Avoid
Spraying a large amount of cleaner directly inside.
✓ Correct actionPut a small amount on the cloth and follow both the product label and appliance instructions.
✕ Avoid
Leaving chilled food at room temperature for too long.
✓ Correct actionWork in small sections and use suitable cold storage when needed.
✕ Avoid
Throwing food away without asking the employer.
✓ Correct actionSet questionable items aside and discard them only after confirmation.
✕ Avoid
Packing the refrigerator too tightly when returning food.
✓ Correct actionGroup items according to the household system and leave space without blocking internal air outlets.
Safety notes
- Before cleaning, switch off and unplug as directed by the model manual. Hold the plug, never the cord. Stop using the appliance and tell the employer if the cord, plug, glass or any part is damaged.
- Let cold glass reach room temperature. Use only warm water, mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth; no bleach, abrasive pads or harsh cleaners, and never mix chemicals. Remove residue with clean water and dry thoroughly.
- Keep perishable food in another refrigerator or a cooler with enough ice packs. At 4–60°C, food held under 2 hours may be chilled or used; from 2 to 4 hours use immediately; over 4 hours discard.
- Return sealed food with raw and cooked items separated only after the refrigerator reaches 4°C or below and freezer −18°C or below. When unsure whether food is safe or should be kept, separate it and ask the employer.
Tips for helpers
- Clean one shelf at a time so food is easier to return correctly.
- With household permission, take a reference photo of the arrangement before starting.
- Use separate cloths for wiping, rinsing and drying.
Tips for employers
- Explain which items must not be discarded and how the household groups food.
- Share the manual if the refrigerator has a special coating, glass component or cleaning requirement.
- Put household-specific rules in the WhatsApp note, separate from the general guide.
Completion checklist
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