How to defrost and clean the refrigerator step by step? Prepare the space for Christmas treats

Fridge space is usually at a premium during the holiday season. Before it fills to the brim, it’s a good idea to go through its contents, wash it and defrost it. How to do it step by step? How to speed up this process? Find out everything you need to know about express refrigerator defrosting.

How often to defrost the refrigerator?

Defrosting the refrigerator, and therefore the freezer, is definitely not on the list of favorite household chores. We often put it off and only do it once a year – usually before Christmas. However, we should remember this task at least every six months in the case of new models of refrigerators (with a frost-free system) or every two months if you have an older, traditional appliance.

Systematic defrosting of the freezer is necessary for several reasons. At first, its walls are covered with a thin layer of frost, but every day more and more frost accumulates. Over time, thick ice can form in the freezer, which not only takes up valuable food storage space. Not everyone realizes that frost and ice build-up increase the energy consumption of the refrigerator, which is reflected in higher electricity bills. It is also worth noting the regular defrosting of the appliance, as it helps maintain its efficiency and extends its life.

Defrosting the refrigerator is also a great opportunity to clean it thoroughly. Although the temperature in the freezer is low, some bacteria still thrive in these conditions. It is a good idea to keep the inside of the appliance clean so that you can store food in it without worry. This also removes the unpleasant smell that could penetrate the products stored in the freezer.

Defrosting the refrigerator step by step – the quick way

The ideal time to defrost the refrigerator is before Christmas. Before we prepare a whole range of Christmas goodies, let’s keep it clean and free up space on the shelves and drawers. We can easily speed up the whole process using simple tricks. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to defrost a refrigerator.

• Preparation – let’s find a place to store food while it is defrosting. Free space on the kitchen counter and thermal insulation bags or a large bowl for frozen food will be useful. Then we turn off the refrigerator and spread a towel on the floor.
• Emptying – we will remove all the food from the unit, inspect it and check its shelf life. We put the frozen products in heat-insulated bags or a large bowl, which we place under a thick blanket. If it’s cold, we can also take them out to the balcony.
• Defrosting – we remove all shelves and drawers and leave the refrigerator and freezer doors open. We can wait patiently for the ice to melt or speed up the process. It is enough to carefully place a bowl of boiling water in the freezer. Place it on a thick towel. The heat and steam will ensure that the defrost will not take more than an hour.
• Cleaning – clean the inside of the appliance with special detergents for refrigerators or a solution of water and a mild dishwashing detergent. Wipe dry with a paper towel, then return the shelves, drawers and food to their place. Turn on the power.

Remember to never pour boiling water over the ice or try to remove it with sharp tools (e.g. a knife). If you are pressed for time, you can speed up the thawing process even more by placing a cloth soaked in hot water and wringing it out several times on the frozen surface.