Introduction
A refrigerator is generally a place to keep food fresh and drinks cold. However, some people find a much more creative... or strange use for it. Here are the top 5 most surprising things found in a refrigerator.
1. A Computer
Yes, you read that right. A computer. Why? Apparently, to cool down overheated components. Bad idea, though: the cold creates condensation, and moisture is the sworn enemy of electronics. Best avoided, even during a heatwave.
2. A Wool Sweater
It seems some people really like to have cool clothes during the summer. It's a pretty unique method of cooling off, we must admit.
3. Photographic Films
Now this one actually holds up. Film photographers know it well: the cold slows the ageing of the emulsion and preserves rolls of film for longer. Kodak itself recommends storing film in the fridge or freezer, letting it return to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation (Kodak source). Not so strange after all: just good sense.
4. Money
Some people believe that the cold helps keep banknotes in perfect condition. While this method isn't really effective, it at least has the merit of surprising burglars!
5. Shoes
This might be the strangest of all. Some claim that putting shoes in the fridge eliminates bad odours. In reality, it is the freezer, not the fridge, that is sometimes suggested to slow the bacteria behind the smell. For your fridge, it is better to tackle the real causes: see instead our guide to fridge odour solutions.
When the Fridge Becomes a Hiding Place
The refrigerator also inspires people looking for a stash. Jewellery, documents, savings: some treat it as an improvised safe. We gathered the most surprising stories in our article on the fridge turned into a safe. And if quirky uses amuse you, take a look at these unusual mini fridges.
Conclusion
It seems that people's creativity knows no bounds when it comes to using their refrigerator. Some ideas are pure myth, others are genuinely sensible. And you, what's the strangest thing you've ever put in your fridge?