diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9213382..342217f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -107,6 +107,15 @@ Note that this function will take care of freeing sub-replies objects
 contained in arrays and nested arrays, so there is no need for the user to
 free the sub replies (it is actually harmful and will corrupt the memory).
 
+### Cleaning up
+
+To disconnect and free the context the following function can be used:
+
+    void redisFree(redisContext *c);
+
+This function immediately closes the socket and then free's the allocations done in
+creating the context.
+
 ### Sending commands (cont'd)
 
 Together with `redisCommand`, the function `redisCommandArgv` can be used to issue commands.
diff --git a/hiredis.c b/hiredis.c
index ca4cd88..8848def 100644
--- a/hiredis.c
+++ b/hiredis.c
@@ -642,15 +642,10 @@ static redisContext *redisContextInit() {
     return c;
 }
 
-void redisDisconnect(redisContext *c) {
-    close(c->fd);
-    c->flags &= ~REDIS_CONNECTED;
-}
-
 void redisFree(redisContext *c) {
     /* Disconnect before free'ing if not yet disconnected. */
     if (c->flags & REDIS_CONNECTED)
-        redisDisconnect(c);
+        close(c->fd);
     if (c->error != NULL)
         sdsfree(c->error);
     if (c->obuf != NULL)
diff --git a/hiredis.h b/hiredis.h
index d149c6f..9ab799e 100644
--- a/hiredis.h
+++ b/hiredis.h
@@ -112,7 +112,6 @@ int redisFormatCommandArgv(char **target, int argc, const char **argv, const siz
 redisContext *redisConnect(const char *ip, int port);
 redisContext *redisConnectNonBlock(const char *ip, int port);
 int redisSetReplyObjectFunctions(redisContext *c, redisReplyObjectFunctions *fn);
-void redisDisconnect(redisContext *c);
 void redisFree(redisContext *c);
 int redisBufferRead(redisContext *c);
 int redisBufferWrite(redisContext *c, int *done);