Best Ways to Clean a Fridge

Most of us tend to take our fridges for granted. However, a refrigerator is one of our kitchen’s primary features and electrical appliances, hence we should clean it more often than other appliances.

Furthermore, stains and residue can build up inside and outside these surfaces.

Spoiled food left in your fridge can also produce a funky and irritating smell that can be obnoxious for many.

That said, A1 Appliance Repair is here to help you clean your fridge using the best ways possible.

Calling an appliance repair service is still the recommended option.

But for people who want to do the cleaning, gather your tools and let’s get started.

Take Everything Out

Before you try to start cleaning your fridge, dispose of all the food and ingredients inside it first.

The first thing you should prioritize is to save time and hassle when cleaning.

And it’s easier when you see molds and stains, beyond the jams, food, and bottles.

When you also take everything out from the fridge, you decide what gets to stay and throw it out.

Of course, you need to throw out the expired ones and leftovers and keep the good ones.

Cleaning the Shelves

Start with cleaning the shelves, drawers, and wine racks and wash them thoroughly with a sponge and dish soap.

We recommend using hot or warm water to get rid of stubborn stains.

Moreover, rub a wet cloth onto the stubborn food stains and spills to soften them before using a non-abrasive scrubber.

Since fridge shelves have different sizes check to see if you can wash them on your kitchen sink or in a bathtub.

Once these parts are clean and dry, set it aside. Then proceed to clean the interior.

Cleaning the Interior

You can use different products to clean the rest of the fridge’s interior. It includes vinegar and water or baking soda and water.

Ensure that you don’t use commercial cleaners or bleach as their scent might transfer to the food.

For this article, I’ll demonstrate how you can clean with baking soda.

Mix 1 part baking soda to seven parts of water and brush it off by using a sponge.

Clean from the top of the fridge going down to the bottom to prevent drips of baking soda on clean surfaces.

You can also use a toothbrush or toothpick to reach the corners and crevices you usually can’t get with a sponge—dry everything with a clean towel.

Removing the Odor

The odor is inevitable because it loves to stay in our refrigerator even after it’s clean.

If you avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, fill an open container with dry baking soda and leave it on the shelf’s bottom part.

Baking soda will absorb any odors, so keep it there until you refill the fridge.

Once everything’s done, put back all the food, bottles, and cans inside the fridge.

Since you already declutter your items a while ago, only bring back the things that will still be used.

From this point onwards, the tasks will be slightly complicated.

So if you’re daunted from doing them, seek a professional appliance repairman to clean these components for you.

Cleaning the Gasket

In order to maintain a tight seal, you need to clean your fridge gaskets.

To do so, mix warm water and liquid soap to remove most of the grime using a sponge or cloth.

If you find molds, you might opt to use a bleach-based cleaner to remove it.

Then seal with petroleum jelly to prevent the gasket from drying out.

Cleaning the Exterior

After you’ve cleaned the interior, don’t forget to clean the exterior as well for a fully-polished look, as it gives you satisfaction after completing the task.

For non-stainless-steel refrigerators, you can use an all-purpose cleaner to clean all the grime, fingerprints, and dirt residing on the surface.

Wipe everything from the top of the refrigerator to the handles and on the sides.

For stainless-steel refrigerators, spraying a solution of vinegar and water or alcohol will do.

Wipe with a microfiber cloth and make sure to follow the grain’s direction to prevent scratches.

Cleaning Refrigerator Coils

We often neglect refrigerator coils, but if you don’t clean the coils, it will contribute to the refrigerator’s overheating?

That’s true.

First, unplug the refrigerator and then pull it away from the wall to see the coils in detail. You can find it at the back of your fridge.

If your fridge has grills in front, remove it first before proceeding to clean the coils.

After cleaning the coils, vacuum any debris left on the floor.

Then move the refrigerator back to its place. Lastly, plug it back in.

Conclusion

Cleaning the fridge takes a lot of time, but you’ll get done in no time when you plan the steps.

The task gets easier, the more you do it.

If this could be a hassle for you, or something happened when you clean your fridge, don’t hesitate to call A1 Appliance Repairs to address your needs.

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