The appearance of an unpleasant odor of mustiness and black spots on the walls of the refrigerator compartment is an indisputable sign that mold has appeared in the refrigerator.
The presence of unpleasant odors is the smallest problem caused by mold. First of all, it can quickly spread throughout the entire volume of the refrigerating chamber. Getting on food, it causes their infection. It is a mistake to think that by cutting off a place affected by mold, you can then eat foods. Such foods - especially milk, rice and fish - should be thrown away. After all, the ingress of mold spores into the human body can provoke the development of various diseases.
The negative effects of mold
- Mold spores are a powerful allergen, and if they enter the lungs, they can cause the development of pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, and symptoms of pneumonia. Mold often causes asthma.
- If it gets into the stomach, it can cause food allergies. The poison, accumulating in the liver, can cause cirrhosis.
- Mold spores begin to suppress the immune system, a person becomes more susceptible to various diseases.
- It can provoke the development of various types of dermatitis and other skin diseases.
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Mold locations
Special attention during processing will require corners, various recesses and grooves, but special efforts must be focused on two places:
- Sealing rubber - condensation often accumulates here, which is a favorable environment for the active development of mold. It is not necessary to treat it with bleach - it dries the rubber. After processing, the seal must be lubricated with petroleum jelly.
- In refrigerators with auto defrost (drip system), mold often appears in the drain hole, which serves to drain the formed condensation on the back wall. To completely remove the mold, it is necessary to additionally pour a disinfectant into the drain (for this you can use a funnel or an enema), you can also clean it with a small brush. Excessive humidity in the refrigerator (as a result, the appearance of fungus) is often caused by a blockage in the drain, so condensation begins to accumulate.
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How to get rid of: proven methods
There are many ways to get rid of mold in your refrigerator. The most effective is the use of special chemicals. They are the most effective, but after using them, you need to thoroughly wash the refrigerator again, they can leave a pungent smell. Some housewives are forced to abandon their use due to allergic reactions. However, you can remove the fungus with the help of cheaper, but no less reliable and proven folk remedies.
Advice:
Before starting the treatment of the inner surfaces of the refrigerating chamber, it is necessary to remove all products, carefully examine them and discard any that have signs of mold infestation!
Remove / remove all trays, shelves and drawers that need to be washed separately. For the time it takes to wash the refrigerator, soak all removable parts in water, adding two glasses of vinegar. After processing, they must be dried well.
Soda
Sodium bicarbonate has excellent disinfecting and cleaning properties. The advantage of baking soda is that it not only helps to remove mold, but also further helps prevent mold reoccurrence. To remove the fungus, we dilute the soda in water (for 1 liter of water - 1 tablespoon of soda) and thoroughly wipe all the shelves and niches dry, paying special attention to hard-to-reach places. After processing, thoroughly dry and ventilate the refrigerator. To enhance the effect, you can add a little vinegar to the solution.
Important:
Soda, even when dissolved, is a light abrasive. In addition, it does not always dissolve completely, so do not rub it hard with a sponge - you can scratch the camera surface.
Laundry soap and bleach
After lathering a sponge, wipe the refrigerator, and then rinse off the soap suds with clean water.
Chlorine bleach removes black stains well, but leaves behind a very strong characteristic odor, so the camera will have to be well washed and dried again.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has antifungal and disinfecting properties. Undiluted peroxide is poured into a spray bottle, after which the entire surface is sprayed, paying particular attention to foci of infection. Alternatively, you can use an ordinary sponge. After 2-3 minutes, wipe everything with a clean cloth / napkin.
Important:
Hydrogen peroxide can whiten surfaces and is therefore not recommended for use in refrigerators with a dark cooling chamber.
It is very important to dry the refrigerator well after processing. To speed up the process and achieve a good result, you can use a fan heater or hairdryer. To consolidate the effect and prevent the reappearance of mold, the refrigerator can be treated with an ultraviolet lamp.
How to prepare the refrigerator for winter in the country
Quite often, mold appears in a refrigerator or freezer that has been idle for a long time - this is a characteristic "disease" of freezing equipment that hibernated in a garden house in the country. In order not to waste time and effort in the spring on fighting an unwanted "guest", the refrigerator must be properly prepared for a long break in work. First of all, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect the refrigerator compartment. In this case, you can use very strong means - during the winter the smell will have time to completely disappear. After rinsing, the refrigerator must be wiped dry. The door must be left open for the winter - this will create the minimum conditions inside the refrigerator for the occurrence and development of mold. Even if she shows herself before spring, getting rid of the mold will not be difficult.
How to prevent mold from forming in the refrigerator
The optimal conditions for mold development are moisture and stagnant air. So it is quite simple to prevent its manifestation:
- A substance must be placed inside the refrigerator that will absorb / absorb excess moisture, making the air in the chamber dry. A proven method is to use special silica gel or, if it is not at hand, improvised means, such as soda or activated carbon. The latter is also supported by the fact that in addition to moisture, it also absorbs odors. Periodically (optimally - once a month) soda must be changed to fresh.
- Regular airing - just leave the refrigerator door open for 0.5-1 minute, during which time an almost complete air exchange will take place.
- Immediately remove food with signs of spoilage from the refrigerator. Spoiled food not only becomes a breeding ground for mold growth, but also a source of infection for the entire refrigerator.
- Ensure the tightness of the refrigerating chamber - the sealing gum should fit snugly to the body, not allowing warm air saturated with water vapor inside.
- It is advisable to use special containers for storing food with tight-fitting lids.
- If something spills or even just drips a little on the shelf, wipe it clean immediately.
- Do not start the situation - at the first slightest signs of the appearance of fungi or mold, immediately thoroughly wash the camera.
The appearance of a smell does not always mean that mold or mildew has settled in the refrigerator. A heavy "odor" could result from the mixing of aromas of different products. They smell very appetizing individually, but their combination can result in an annoying, unpleasant stench. That is why products with a strong odor must be stored in a hermetically sealed container, or, alternatively, tightly packed in cling film.
Advice:
Do not put fragrances / air fresheners in the refrigerator. They do not absorb, but mask the smell with another, more intense one. This can lead to the fact that products, absorbing the smell of the freshener, lose their natural aroma and taste.
There is another effective method to get rid of the mold smell in the refrigerator. To do this, several slices of fresh lemon on a saucer must be placed in the chamber for several days. If the smell persists, you can try replacing the lemon.
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