How to Clean Mold from Your Refrigerator



Keeping the refrigerator clean is essential, yet not a very easy task. Dropping bits of food in the refrigerator can cause mold or mildew to grow, especially around the door gasket or along the drawer guides. Mold is also often noticed if you accidentally unplug the electricity outlet of the refrigerator for days. Mold, being a health hazard to you and your children, is a cause of alarm. It can often cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. However, the solution to your mold problem lies in the proper cleaning of the refrigerator. This article provides you with all the information that you need to get rid of your mold problem. Firstly follow the steps below.


How do you start?

1.   Firstly, unplug the electricity outlet of the refrigerator, and move it outside if possible, to avoid the smell being spread in the whole house. Exposing your refrigerator to direct sunlight is likely to kill some of the bacteria.

2.   Before you move on to the cleaning part, make sure to put on gloves and a mask.

3.   Empty the refrigerator. Dispose of all spoilt food in plastic bags, and throw them in the garbage can. You can let unopened packets and airtight containers be in place. You must pour liquids down the kitchen sink, and later wash the basin too.

4.   Take out all refrigerator parts, such as drawers and trays.

5.   Pour water in a bath tub, and put all removable parts in it. Add one cup of baking soda to water to clean these parts.

6.   In case there was mold on any of the removable parts, soak them in a solution of vinegar and warm water before cleaning them with the baking soda solution. An average sized bath tub will require 2 cups of vinegar.

Now, to clean the interior of the fridge, you can proceed in one of the two following ways.


Method One (Using Bleach)

Things that you will require:

·      Bleach
·      Water
·      Spray bottle
·      Sponges or rags or cloths
·      Old toothbrush
·      Vinegar
·      Charcoal

Steps:

1.   Mix 1 part bleach to 1 part water.

2.   Now pour this cleaning solution into a spray bottle.

3.   Next, spray the solution on to the sides and ceiling of the refrigerator. Let the solution set for 10 to 30 minutes.

4.   Wipe the walls and ceilings with a sponge, rag or cloth. Repeat this process till the mold disappears. In the end, rinse with water and then wipe it dry with a cloth or sponge.

5.   Make another solution to clean the door gaskets. Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water and spray it on the door gaskets. Let the solution set for up to 5 minutes.

6.   You can use a toothbrush to clean the grooves. If cleaning the refrigerator out in the open, leave the doors open for the sunlight to dry the door gasket rather than wiping it clean. If not, wipe the solution with a cloth, sponge or rag, and then rinse with cold water. In the end, wipe it dry.

7.   Now, remove the drip pan under the refrigerator. To clean it, use the bleach solution if it is not a metal. If otherwise, use the vinegar solution.

8.   Ensure that no moist area is left in the refrigerator as it may serve as a breeding ground for mold.

9.   Lastly, to get rid of the bad smell in the refrigerator, put an open bag of charcoal inside for a day.

10.   Your refrigerator is now ready to use again!

Method Two (Use Baking Soda)

Things that you will require:

·      Baking Soda
·      Bowl/Bucket
·      2 pieces of cloth
·      Old toothbrush
·      Refrigerator-specific deodizer

Steps:

1.   To make your cleaning solution, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 quart of water in a bowl or bucket. Keep stirring the solution till it mixes completely.

2.   Now, wash a cloth in the solution and start scrubbing the interior of the refrigerator.

3.   Be careful while doing so. You do not want to scratch the surface of glass shelves.

4.   To reach out to the corners and crevices, you may use a toothbrush.

5.   Repeat the process till all the mold disappears.

6.   Once done, pour down the solution down the kitchen drain, and wash the dirty cloth.

7.   Pour fresh water in the bucket and dip the second cloth in it.

8.   Now wipe the walls and ceilings of the refrigerator with the second cloth.

9.   Make sure that interior is completely dry and no moist patches are left.

10.   Lastly, put the refrigerator-specific deodizer inside the refrigerator to get rid of the odor.

Warning:

Some manufacturers may not approve of bleach or baking soda as a cleaner. Read the refrigerator manual for any specific notes regarding approved cleaners.

How to Remove Bleach Stains From Clothes



Have you ever gone through the unpleasant experience of wearing your favorite shirt, and accidentally dropping bleach on it? Although bleach removes color from a fabric, it can be fixed. There are ways you can cover up the stain, and make your shirt look new. Following are some of the strategies that can help you remove bleach stains from your clothing.


Method One (Using Alcohol)

 Things that you will require:

·      A little bit of alcohol
·      Either one to two cotton balls or one to two absorbent pads

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   The first step involves applying a bit of alcohol to either a cotton ball or an absorbent pad.

2.   Then, hold the damaged cloth, and rub the stain and the area around it with the cotton ball or the absorbent pad.

3.   Keep rubbing the stain and the area around it till the original color of the shirt spreads to the stained area.

Although easy and simple, this method works depending on the size of the stain and the color of the clothing item. It proves to be more effective when used on small stains and dark colored items since they are more likely to absorb the color well compared to light colored clothes with large stains. If this method does not work or if it is unsuitable in your case, then follow the methods written below.


Method Two (Use Bleach)

  Another way to save your favorite garment is to bleach the whole garment. This will either give you a garment of a lighter color, or a garment with a tie dye look. If you choose to apply this method, make sure not to wash any other clothes with it. Following are the things that you will require, and the steps that will need to be followed:

Things that you will require:

·      Chlorine bleach

·      A reliable, and non-damaging bleach remover, such as Anti-chlor, OR Sodium Thiosulfate, also known as Bleach Stop, OR 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

·      A tub

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   The first step to be taken is to fill the tub with water.

2.   Soak your shirt in the tub.

3.   Pour chlorine bleach into a cup till a quarter of it is filled.

4.   Now, add the quarter cup of bleach into the tub.

5.   Wash the item till you have a lighter shade of the color of your choice.

However, if you use chlorine bleach without neutralizing it, it will eat away your fiber, developing holes in the garment after a while. To avoid this, you must use any of the three bleach neutralizers mentioned above, i.e., Anti-chlor, Bleach Stop or Hydrogen Peroxide. The steps that you need to take after bleaching your shirt are:


1.   After you have washed your shirt with bleach, empty the tub of water.

2.   Now, add fresh rinse water to the tub.

3.   Quickly rinse your shirt in the water.

4.   Amount of bleach neutralizer to be added depends on which neutralizer is being used. If using Bleach Stop, add a whole ounce by weight (30 grams) per gallon of warm water. On the other hand, if you are using Anti-chlor, add slightly less than half a teaspoon to a gallon of water, or a whole teaspoon to 2.5 gallons per water. Add a quarter to half cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide per a gallon of water.

5.   Remember never to use any kind of acid, for example vinegar, to neutralize the effect of bleach. It will produce hypochlorous acid or chlorine gas which will be even more deadly for your garment.

6.   Keep your garment soaked for an approximately half an hour before drying it out.

Method Three (Use Dye on Your Clothing)

One of the best solutions to your problem of bleach stain on your favorite shirt can be solved by dying the garment. If you are lucky, you will be able to find the exact shade of color of your shirt. However, often one is unable to find an exact shade. In such a case, you can follow the following procedure:

Things that you will require:

·      A dye or color remover. For example, the Rit Color Remover;

·      Dye or color of your own choice. For example, Rit Liquid Fabric Dye or Rit Powder Dye;

Now, proceed in the following way:

1.   Add hot water to a tub or your washer

2.   Depending on how many clothes you are washing, and whether you want all the color to be removed or for the color to get light only, add a suitable amount of color remover. Normally, to remove color from a small load of clothes, it can take up to two packets of a color remover.

3.   Keep the garment soaked from ten to thirty minutes, depending on the original color of the garment.

4.   Once you have removed the color, fill up the tub again with rinse water and add the dye of your choice to it. Follow the instructions mentioned on the packet of dye closely to dye the garment.

Although bleach stains can be treated, the best way to deal with them is to take precautions to avoid them.

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