{"id":22089,"date":"2025-04-16T14:04:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T08:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shop.haierindia.com\/blog\/?p=22089"},"modified":"2025-04-16T14:04:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T08:34:29","slug":"vacation-refrigerator-prep-haier-lumiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shop.haierindia.com\/blog\/vacation-refrigerator-prep-haier-lumiere\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prepare your refrigerator before leaving for a vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s time to go on vacation? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carpe Diem friends! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well-deserved time off is long overdue, allowing you to have some fun and detach from everyday routine. But pause! Just before entering your car or checking in for your flight, you need to complete one final itinerary task: attend to your refrigerator.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would greatly derail a joyous holiday to return to a defrosted puddle from a broken freezer\u2014or worse\u2014foul smells from spoiled food. Putting in a little effort upfront to safeguard your fridge<\/a> can reduce your worry and make sure you return to an olfactory pleasant home instead of a smelly, empty one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter the day or destination, this meticulous guide will help all aspiring travelers remember what to do when preparing to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why It\u2019s Important to Prep the Fridge: The Fridge Doesn\u2019t Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Get
Credits: Haier India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Your refrigerator runs 24\/7, 365 days a year. It doesn\u2019t know when you’re on vacation, but your power bill and food safety sure do. If you neglect to prep your fridge before leaving, here\u2019s what might happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Spoiled food from a power surge
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Fungi growth due to poor ventilation
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Rotting food leading to unpleasant smells
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • High power bills due to inefficiencies
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wear and tear from improper settings and low contents
    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Setting your refrigerator correctly before leaving helps reduce energy use and ensures peace of mind. Here are certain things to keep in check: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If You\u2019re Leaving for Under a Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you’re going away for less than a week, there’s no need to unplug the refrigerator. Just follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Arrange Accordingly<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Discard milk, leftovers, deli meat, fresh-cut vegetables, and anything with a short shelf life. The shorter the shelf life, the higher the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Maintain a Half-Full Fridge<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        A semi-full fridge retains cold better than an empty one. Place a few jugs of water inside to help stabilize the temperature and reduce energy use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Make Sure the Settings Are Correctly Set<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Keep the fridge at or below 4\u00b0C (39\u00b0F). Set the freezer at -18\u00b0C (0\u00b0F).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Avoid making it colder than necessary as it doesn’t improve food preservation and wastes energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Shut off the Ice Maker (if you have one)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Disable automatic ice-making features to avoid unnecessary water usage or any risk of overflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If You\u2019re Away for 1\u20134 Weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \"Remove
            Credits: Haier India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            This is now long-vacation territory. You\u2019ll need to take extra steps to ensure everything remains in good condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Remove Perishables<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Get rid of all packaged food and perishables like dairy. Canned or bottled goods can stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Deodorize and Clean<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                After cleaning out the fridge, use a mild cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water to wipe it down. Don\u2019t forget to clean drawers and door seals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Odor Removal<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Place an open box of baking soda or a bowl of activated charcoal inside. Crumpled newspaper works in a pinch too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  • Rearrange and Combine Items<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Group remaining items to reduce strain on the compressor and improve airflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Consider Unplugging (Only If Empty)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      If the fridge and freezer are completely empty, you can unplug the unit. Keep the doors slightly open to prevent mold or mildew buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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