Going on a long vacation to escape horrifyingly high temperatures is becoming increasingly common worldwide. But when you go on extended vacations, it is essential to look after your appliances, especially your fridge. Considering how people purchase more expensive refrigerators, such as the best side-by-side refrigerator in India, it is necessary that they are well-protected to ensure longevity. Don’t worry, however! We have put together all the required information needed to know before you store your fridge away while traveling!
It would be best to use extreme caution when storing a refrigerator in a storage facility. Appliances, especially those used to keep food fresh, are susceptible. If you want to keep these objects in good shape, you’ll need to know how to store them properly.
At The Safe Storage, we provide you with some pointers to make your time in our facilities even more enjoyable.
Table of Contents
1. Before you begin, disconnect the device
This is a crucial stage. You can only begin packing or transporting the cooler once it has cooled down or at the very least reached room temperature. Similarly, the freezer must be empty and clear of the frost that commonly collects inside this compartment.
Unplugging the refrigerator one or two days before transporting it to the storage unit will allow the liquids and oil inside the appliance’s mechanism to settle, reducing the risk of damage during transport.
2. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the refrigerator
After unplugging the device and removing all its contents, clean and disinfect both its external and interior surfaces, the freezer compartment will begin to heat up if you wait too long to clean it after unplugging it.
Once that happens, the small leftovers of food inside will almost certainly begin to emit an unpleasant odor. As a result, you’ll need to work quickly during the cleaning and disinfection process.
Starting on the inside of the appliance from top to bottom, and doing the same with the external surfaces, is the best approach to ensure that each surface is clean.
Remember that even the tiniest food can attract pests and cause mold when storing gadgets. They will spread across the item in the blink of an eye, leaving it useless.
3. Completely dry the refrigerator
This is a crucial phase in the refrigerator storage process. It will assist if you unplug it before transporting it to the storage container. Still, you must ensure that it is entirely dry after cleaning, especially in the freezer section. The presence of water, even the tiniest suggestion of moisture, will be disastrous.
If you don’t want to take up the artifact and discover mold and mildew, thoroughly dry it. To begin, clean it into pieces, starting with the freezer. To avoid unnecessary hazards, it is recommended that you dry it a second time after a few hours have passed.
4. Packing a refrigerator
After the appliance has dried, the packing procedure begins. You’ll need bubble wrap (alveolar film) or thick cardboard sheets. The first thing to do is secure the appliance’s doors. Otherwise, they might open during transit, which would be pretty inconvenient.
After the doors are secured, begin wrapping bubble wrap around the fixture’s surface to protect it from tiny knocks. Although cardboard sheets are the ideal option for your packing, they can also be used to wrap a refrigerator.
5. Handle it with caution
If you opt to do the transfer yourself, keep in mind that you’ll need a cart or wheelbarrow to get the items from your home to the vehicle and then to the storage facility. Similarly, secure the gadget to the trolley to prevent it from sliding and being harmed.
When transporting and storing the refrigerator, keep in mind that it must always be kept upright. Resting it on one of its sides, even for a brief time, may cause damage to its internal mechanism, rendering it useless. As a result, you must ensure that the vehicle it will be transported is tall enough for it to enter standing up. The same should hold true for the storage unit you choose.
6. Place it in the proper storage container
The appliance’s doors and compartments must remain fully open. Continuous air movement will help prevent unpleasant odors from developing and mold growth.
Cleaning and drying the complete device are two of the prior steps. As a result, it is best to keep it in a dry and clean atmosphere. The refrigerator should be kept in facilities that are specifically designed to keep these products in the best possible condition. In this regard, climate-controlled storage facilities will provide you with a clean, humidity-free, and consistent temperature environment.
How To Clean Your Fridge Properly Before Storing It
Clean your refrigerator in six easy steps to make your life easier!
Don’t make this a chore; clean the refrigerator in only six steps, and it will be gleaming. Put them to the test!
DISCONNECT THE REFRIGERATOR
It’s crucial to disconnect the refrigerator before you start cleaning.
COMPLETELY EMPTY
It is critical to remove all of the refrigerator’s contents once it has been unplugged; this is the best time to discard spoiled or expired food.
REMOVE SHELVES, DRAWERS, AND OTHER OBJECTIVES; AND CLEAN
Wipe the interior of your refrigerator with a damp towel dampened with hot water. The removable shelves and drawers should ideally be washed outside because being able to carve and remove dirt in detail will improve their cleanliness.
USE ANTI-GREASE AND ANTI-MOLD PRODUCTS.
Make a mixture of 12 cups vinegar, 12 cups water, and 14 cups baking soda, plus a few drops of mint or other strong-scented essential oil. Using a sponge, clean the interior of the refrigerator.
RINSE
Some areas will require more rinsing than others; if a stain persists, apply a bicarbonate mixture of soda and vinegar, leave it to act for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
ELIMINATE ODORS
Put a few drops of essential oil, ground coffee, two teaspoons of baking soda, or vanilla essence in a tiny glass bottle and place it in a refrigerator corner. You may say goodbye to odors!
REMAIN CLEAN
To keep your refrigerator clean, clean it frequently, throw expired food in the garbage, and clean it promptly if something leaks. Label the food you keep so you’ll know when it’s no longer edible and can get rid of it quickly.
