BLEACH in a fridge??

[Talkabtit101]

Bought a second hand fridge yesterday off marketplace, just moved home and couldn't afford one brand new, came delivered all was well, I opened the fridge and my nose burned from the chlorine smell, I asked if they'd used bleach in it and they said " we have to use something to stop it from smelling "

Fair enough this is absolutely fine, but how on earth do I get rid of the smell of bleach, I understand I have to clean it but how many rinses would one have to do with dettol and hot water to ensure there is 0 residue left behind.

I wouldn't usually mind but this fridge has a water dispenser, so the use of bleach in the fridge has got me a little wound

Aibu to think they could've possible not used bleach on the bloody fridge, surely there would've been another alternative, with the way it smells too, it isn't even diluted bleach, just as though they've poured from a thick bleach bottle right on it.

AND how do I now remove it

I would leave the door open om it amd buy some fridge freshners off amazon. I left some meat on my fridge which went off and couldn't get rid of the smell I put 2 fridge freshners in and the smell was gona after a few days. Leave the door open for a few days forst though that will help.

Leave a dish of bicarbonate of soda in it. It absorbs smells. I think coffee grounds do the same ( but then it would smell of coffee for a while )

Leave the fridge open for 24h and wipe the inside down with a wet cloth every so often. After a fridge has been moved you need to leave it to settle for 24h in any case, before you switch it on. Bleach in water breaks down into harmless substances. Sunlight speeds this up. If they've used thin bleach, that's all you need to do. If they've used thick bleach there will be other residues, but the wiping down should get rid of them. Make sure you get right inside the folds of the door seals when you wipe down.

Lots of crumpled newspaper left in there for a day or two should absorb some odor. As will a good-size dish of white vinegar.

Don't add dettol! More chemicals is not the answer. As PP says just wipe down a few times with water and prop the door open to air/dry.

I empty and clean my fridge every week before the food shop. I always use bleach, not dead yet.

Are you sure you’re not? I mean it must be lethal!

Wait till they hear I put bleach in my washing up bowl..

“faints” that’s akin to taking crack cocaine!

Do you use separate cloths though? Maybe that’s what’s keeping you safe?

We throw away our fridge evey week and buy a new one before the food shop. It's a bit expensive but avoids any problems with bleach.

Bleach is a good option because it evaporates.

Leave the door open for a couple of days. Wipe down with a damp cloth before you use (to clear any salt crystals). That's it.

Maybe it's just me but I'd rather clean my fridge with bleach than Dettol?!

I aspire to be you one day

You should have put it in situ and left the door ajar for 24hrs before turning on. Nothing wrong with using bleach.

Try and leave the door open for 24 hours to air it out. Obviously unplug the fridge whilst the door is open or else it could mess up the fridge motor.

I regularly wipes my fridge over with bleach...is that not ok?

Scummy. I use a fridge once before disposing of it.

I buy those nice disposable fridges.

What the hell are people doing to and in their fridges that makes them think they need bleach to clean them? Are you storing shit in them? What's going on??

You dont need bleach to stop a fridge smelling, you need to stop keeping stuff in there so long that it starts to smell!

Sounds like they needed to clear it out more often than bleach it! But yes a dish of white vinegar. The smell isnt great but it wont hurt you.

Oh and bleach isnt great in a fridge as it can make the seals rot, so anyone who is using it should really stop. Hot water with a touch of washing up liquid in is all you need to clean it.

If your putting bleach in hot water, then its just a pointless waste of time. Hot water breaks down the active ingredient in bleach.

Gov.uk department of health link.

Whilst bleach may not be necessary it's the jump to "how much Dettol do I need to fix this?" which I loved!

Just a quick wipe down with the racing post is all you need.

I reckon wash it down again with hot water and then just leave the door open for a couple of days