Onam 2023: Tips to ready your refrigerator for the festive season

Refrigerators often bear the brunt during any big occasion. And if there’s an appliance that tirelessly works round the clock, it is undoubtedly your refrigerator. Of course, that also implies it is usually crammed with containers and food items saved for ‘later’, which we’ve all been guilty of at some or the other point in our lives. 

Among other festivities, Onam is celebrated with the preparation of delicious Sadya food. However, with over 20 dishes prepared for the elaborate feast, there’s a good chance your Sadya may end up in — yes, you guessed it right — your refrigerator! But there’s no reason why that should stress you out. We spoke to experts at Croma to help you clean and manage your refrigerator better for the festive season. 

Deep cleaning your refrigerator

Your refrigerator is constantly subjected to spillage, stale food, and dirty condenser coils. While you may have ensured the exterior remains spotless all year round, there’s a dire need to deep clean the interiors every couple of months. “The first thing a user needs to keep in mind is that never use sharp objects to clean your fridge,” says Nikhil Birari, Lead Value Added Service, Service Delivery, at Croma. “Most often when there’s ice, say, in a single-door refrigerator, people try to chip it off with sharp objects. However, there’s a provision to defrost to get started with the freezer section of your fridge.” 

ALSO READ: Here’s a step-by-step guide to defrosting your refrigerator

He also goes on to mention how the best way to begin cleaning your refrigerator is with the help of vinegar and soap water. “You can also use a chemical solution that is easily available in the market,” he adds. For the shelves, Birari mentions how washing them in running water can help eliminate any debris or stains. “Using boiled water along with vinegar helps take care of any oily substances on the glass shelves,” he says. 

Due to the amount of food that is stored, we often also have to battle bad odours or unpleasant smells from within the appliance. In such cases, Birari suggests using a deodoriser for your fridge. “Deodoriser is a powder-like substance which helps remove unwanted smell from your fridge,” he says. 

While the noticeable parts of the refrigerator are comparatively simpler to identify, he mentions how something like the rubber gasket is a pesky spot to cleanse. “The rubber gasket is tricky to clean and requires you to remove and soak it in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes,” he mentions. “Make sure you add detergent to clean it well and use lukewarm water to bring back its elasticity.” 

Lastly, our in-house expert puts forth a word of caution when cleaning the back of your refrigerator. “Coils on the back of your fridge are made using copper, meaning any chemical solution harms their surface. It is best to clean them with a dry cloth or brush and avoid using water for the process,” he says. And while it may seem like a no-brainer, he also mentions that cleaning your home appliances should be done in an unplugged situation. 

While cleaning your refrigerator for a big occasion is certainly a one-time process, getting your appliances serviced within timely intervals is advisable to ensure their longevity and functionality.