The appearance of an unpleasant odor of mustiness and black spots on the walls of the refrigerator chamber is an indisputable sign that mold has appeared in the refrigerator.
The presence of an unpleasant odor is the smallest problem caused by the appearance of mold. First of all, it can quickly spread throughout the entire volume of the refrigerator. Getting on products causes their infection. It is a mistake to assume that having cut off a place affected by mold, you can then eat foods. Such foods — especially milk, rice, and fish — need to be thrown away. After all, the entry of mold spores into the human body can provoke the development of various diseases.
The negative effects of mold
- Mold spores are the strongest allergen; getting into the lungs can cause the development of pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, and the appearance of symptoms of pneumonia. Very often, mold causes asthma.
- When ingested, mold can cause food allergies. Poison, accumulating in the liver, can cause cirrhosis.
- Mold spores begin to depress 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 Places
Angles, various recesses and grooves will require special attention during processing, but special efforts must be concentrated on two places:
- Sealing rubber - condensation often accumulates here, which is a favorable environment for the active development of mold. Do not treat it with bleach - it dries the rubber. After treatment, the sealant must be lubricated with petroleum jelly.
- In refrigerators with auto-defrosting (drip system), mold often appears in the drain hole, which serves to drain the condensate formed on the back wall. To completely remove the mold, it is necessary to fill in the disinfectant solution additionally (for this you can use a funnel or enema), you can also clean it with a small brush. The cause of excess humidity in the refrigerator (as a result - the appearance of a fungus) often becomes a blockage in the drain, so condensate begins to accumulate.
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How to get rid: proven methods
There are many options for getting rid of mold in the 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, the fungus can be removed with the help of cheaper, but no less reliable and proven folk remedies.
Tip:
Before you start processing the internal surfaces of the refrigerator, you must remove all the products, carefully examine them and discard all that show signs of mold damage!
It is necessary to remove / remove all trays, shelves and drawers that must be washed separately. For the time it takes to wash the refrigerator, all removable parts should be soaked in water by adding two glasses of vinegar. After processing, they must be dried well.
Soda
Sodium bicarbonate has excellent disinfecting and cleansing properties. The advantage of soda is that it not only helps to remove mold, but also helps to prevent its re-emergence in the future. To remove the fungus, we dilute soda in water (for 1 liter of water - 1 tablespoon of soda) and carefully wipe dry all the shelves and niches, paying special attention to hard-to-reach places. After processing, carefully 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 surface of the camera.
Laundry soap and bleach
Soaping a sponge, wipe the refrigerator, and then wash off the soap suds with clean water.
Chlorine bleach removes black spots well, but leaves behind a very sharp characteristic odor, so the camera will have to be washed well again and dried.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has antifungal and disinfecting properties. Undiluted peroxide is poured into the sprayer, after which the entire surface is sprayed, paying particular attention to the foci of infection. As an option - you can use an ordinary sponge. After 2-3 minutes, wipe everything with a clean cloth / napkin.
Important:
Hydrogen peroxide can whiten surfaces, so it is not recommended to use it 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 a refrigerator for the winter in the country
Quite often, mold appears in the refrigerator or freezer, which was in a long idle 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 efforts in the spring to combat an undesirable "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 washing, wipe the refrigerator dry. The door for the winter must be left open - this will create inside the refrigerator the conditions that are minimally acceptable for the occurrence and development of mold. Even if it manifests itself before spring, getting rid of mold will not be difficult.
How to prevent mold from appearing in the refrigerator
The optimal conditions for the development of mold are humidity and stagnation of air. So to prevent its manifestation is quite simple:
- Inside the refrigerator, it is necessary to place a substance 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, using improvised means, such as soda or activated carbon. In favor of the latter is the fact that, in addition to moisture, it also absorbs odors. Periodically (optimally - 1 time per month), soda must be changed to fresh.
- Regular ventilation - just leave the refrigerator door open for 0.5-1 minutes, during which time almost complete air exchange will occur.
- Remove foodstuffs with signs of deterioration from the refrigerator immediately. A spoiled product not only becomes a nutritious soil for the development of mold, but also a source of infection of the entire refrigerator.
- Ensure the tightness of the refrigerator compartment - the sealing gum should fit snugly against the body without letting in warm air saturated with water vapor.
- It is advisable to use special containers with tight-fitting lids for food storage.
- If something has spilled and even just dropped a little on the shelf, immediately wipe it clean.
- Do not start the situation - if the first slightest signs of fungus or mold appear, immediately wash the camera thoroughly.
The appearance of a smell does not always mean that mold or fungus has settled in the refrigerator. A heavy "sweetheart" could arise as a result of mixing the aromas of different products. Separately, they smell very appetizing, but their combination can result in an annoying, unpleasant stink. That is why products with a strong odor must be stored in a sealed container, as an option - tightly packed in cling film.
Tip:
Do not place fragrances / air fresheners in the refrigerator. They do not absorb, but mask the smell of another, more intense. This can lead to the fact that the products, absorbing the smell of a freshener, lose their natural aroma and taste.
There is another effective method to get rid of the smell of mold in the refrigerator. To do this, several slices of fresh lemon on a saucer should be placed in the chamber for several days. If the smell continues to be felt, you can try replacing the lemon.
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