Deep Cleaning Your Refrigerator and Freezer
Spring is here, which means it’s time for spring cleaning. Give your fridge and freezer some extra TLC this season with these refrigerator deep-cleaning tips and tricks.
Gather essential items: The right supplies will make the cleaning process much easier. Before getting started, gather the following items:
- A towel
- Plastic bucket
- Baking soda
- Paper towels
- Putty knife
- Cooler
- Trash bags
- Rags
- Dish soap
- Vacuum
- Multi-purpose cleaning surface spray
Do some prep work: To fully eliminate the risk of electrical shock, be sure to cut the power from the circuit breaker to the outlet and then unplug your refrigerator before starting. Place a towel on the floor to catch any spills. Put any food items you want to keep inside your cooler to keep them fresh during the cleaning process and discard any expired food or condiments. Remove all shelves and bins from the inside the refrigerator.
Cleaning Your Refrigerator
Wipe down the interior: Mix a quart of water and two tablespoons of baking soda in your plastic bucket. Moisten a rag with the baking soda solution and wipe down all of the interior surfaces to clean them. Gently scrape away any sticky buildup using your putty knife. Rinse with a clean, moist rag and dry the interior with paper towels.
Remove the drip pan: Remove the base grille to expose the drip pan beneath the fridge. Mop up any water with paper towels; then, remove the pan and wash it with warm, soapy water. If the drip pan cannot be removed, scrub it clean with a long-handled brush.
Clean dust coils: With the unit unplugged, clean the condenser coils using a coil brush or the crevice attachment on your vacuum.
Finish up: Place the shelves and bins back into the refrigerator and restock the unit with food. Close the door and wipe down the exterior with a cloth dampened with soap and water. For stainless steel refrigerators, use a commercial cleaning spray designed for stainless-steel appliances.
Cleaning Your Freezer
Defrost your freezer: If you have a self-defrosting refrigerator, you won’t need to defrost. If not, you will need to take steps to hasten the process. Once you remove all items from your freezer and store them in your cooler, place a large container of hot water inside to help melt any ice buildup. If the buildup is especially heavy, you can melt it away using a hairdryer. Just be sure not to allow the melting water to come in contact the dryer to prevent the risk of electrical shock.
Clean the interior: Use paper towels to absorb any water that fails to adequately drain through your freezer’s drainage valve. Then, clean the interior just as you did the refrigerator. Make sure to thoroughly dry the inside before placing the food back into the freezer.
Maintaining Your Refrigerator
You can prolong the life of your refrigerator and lower the risk of problems with these refrigerator maintenance recommendations. You can also avoid unexpected expenses and reduce the overall cost of home ownership with a home warranty service agreement from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty to protect against unexpected system and appliance breakdowns.
2-10 HBW offers the most comprehensive Home Warranty coverage for homeowners. Let us help you protect your home.
