We know a lot dirty places in a house that is diligently cleaned. But we often forget about the most important thing - the refrigerator.
Viruses thrive at low temperatures. ResearchPersistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents have shown that different types of coronaviruses can live in a refrigerator for up to 9 days. It is assumed that SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 is no less tenacious. And viruses do exist in the freezer.Can flu viruses survive winter in frozen lakes? for years.
Other pathogensMicrobial contamination of food refrigeration equipment, Detection of airborne psychrotrophic bacteria and fungi in food storage refrigerators, Identification of Household Bacterial Community and Analysis of Species Shared with Human Microbiome, Seven in ten fridges found to contain harmful bacteria, Germiest Items in the Kitchen, What is growing in your refrigerator or freezer? can also live on shelves with food. Among them are the causative agents of respiratory, intestinal and even genitourinary diseases.
It cannot be otherwise, because you regularly bring from the supermarket and put in the refrigerator products that tens or even hundreds of people could have touched before you.
Even though there is now no evidence of transmissionCoronavirus: no evidence that food is a source or transmission route coronavirus directly through food, you should not relax. After all, you may well accidentally rub your eyes or nose after contact with an infected product.
As a preventive measure, you need to wash the refrigerator at least once a month. Now is the time to do it. You will need:
- Cleaning agent. The US EPA recommendsCleaning And Disinfecting Your Home use disinfectants that meet the EPA criteria to fight coronavirus. Common household cleaning solutions are also quite effective.Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Homeif exposed to the surface for at least 1 minute. As a last resort, you can wash the refrigerator shelves with soap or wipe with ethyl alcohol.
- Sponge.
- Cloth or paper towels.
When everything is ready, proceed.
- Unplug the refrigerator and remove all food.
- Throw away any spoiled food - they are the ideal habitat for harmful microbes.
- Remove all shelves and drawers, and wash them in hot soapy water as you do the dishes. You can do this in the kitchen sink, if it's too small in the bathroom.
- Likewise, thoroughly wash all utensils from the refrigerator in hot water, especially those that have kept anything stale.
- Treat the refrigerator itself with a cleaning agent - the inner walls, shelf racks, door handle. Proceed from top to bottom to prevent dirt from dripping onto already cleaned areas.
- Wipe down the refrigerator with paper or cloth towels, then put the racks, shelves, and drawers back.
- Return the food back, carrying out a thorough inspection to see if they are all fresh. Jars, bottles, containers and bags can be pre-wiped with an alcohol raster.
Repeat this procedure regularly every 30 days, and you can reduce the risk of contracting the infection through food.
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