How to Clean Your Refrigerator
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How to Clean Your Refrigerator
Cleaning The Refrigerator
Even though we had a refrigerator when I was growing up, many of the old folks still called them "ice boxes"! (Try telling your child to get something out of the "ice box" today.)
Ice boxes actually were small, free-standing cabinets that held a block of ice in a storage compartment at the top with a separate compartment below for storing perishables like milk, eggs and food stuffs. This is the right idea as cooler air seeks the lower level. Unfortunately, however, the ice melted and had to be replaced daily. It was also messy and the drip pans needed to emptied frequently or the melted ice leaked all over the floor. It's hard to picture life without our refrigerators ... how did they do it?
When electric refrigerators were introduced during the 1920's, ice boxes became passe as housewives enthusiastically welcomed the new convenience into their kitchens. They weren't the sleek, polished and sophisticated appliances of today - they were square, clunky-looking, boxy affairs on legs. But just imagine! You no longer needed to buy ice, you could actually make it yourself! What a revolutionary idea! Now one could not only keep perishables for days at the right temperature, but you could also safely store leftovers and stock up on fresh foods to be used when you wanted!
As with any innovative improvement, convenience demands responsibility. Refrigerators need to be cleaned inside and out on a regular basis. Although the recommended temperature of a refrigerator is 40°, bacteria and mold still grow and may cause ill effects if eaten. Contamination often spreads in the refrigerator and ruins other food.
Interiors of modern refrigerators are molded high-impact plastic offering fewer crevices or nooks where drips and spills can hide providing an environment for molds and bacteria to grow. But there is still opportunity for organisms to breed on the bottom of or underneath a drawer, the hardware that holds the racks, the gasket around the door, etc.
Washing the Refrigerator
Wiping up spills as soon as they happen is a good practice. Move the items in the immediately vicinity of the spill to the counter. Use a paper towel to blot up as much as you can, then moisten a household sponge in warm, soapy water, and scrub away every remaining drop of the spill. Before replacing the items, wipe the sides and bottom to be sure there is no drippy stuff clinging to the container.
Plan to reorganize and clean the inside of your refrigerator before you do your weekly shopping. Then you can put your perishables away immediately.
Before you turn out your kitchen light at the end of the day, take a moment to give your counters one last wipe down being sure to include the outside of the refrigerator, removing any smudges or fingerprints around the door handle.
When you get ready to wash the inside of the refrigerator, make a cleaning solution of 1/4 cup baking soda to 1 quart of warm water. Baking soda is a great sanitizer, brightener, and odor remover. You do not need to rinse off the baking soda unless you've used enough to leave a residue. Then you may wish to wipe it off with a clean, damp rag. Be sure to include inside walls and door, and the rubber gasket around the edge of the door.
If you're doing a deep clean on your refrigerator, you'll want to remove all items making sure to either store perishables in another refrigerator or in a cooler, and place similar products together on your counter.
Remove all shelves and drawers, and them in the bathtub. Spray with a good household cleaner and sanitizer and allow to sit.
You may either use the baking soda cleaning solution or hot soapy water to wash down the inside of the refrigerator. If you use the soapy water mixture, you will need to wipe it off with a clean, damp towel to remove all traces of soap.
Give the drawers and shelves a scrubbing with a stiff brush or plastic scrubby, rinse well, shake off excess water, and dry. Then put them back and replace the food items.
Keeping a Clean Refrigerator
If you use refillable ice cube trays, be sure the ice is kept fresh. it will absorb refrigerator odors if not used or emptied frequently. Most manufacturers do not recommend washing ice cube trays as they are treated to cause the cubes to pop out easily and quickly. If you do need to wash the trays, use hot soapy water and rinse well. Allow to dry before refilling.
After having cleaned the inside of your refrigerator, be sure to wipe all jars, bottles, cans and other containers with a paper towel or clean cloth before putting them back. Rinse and wipe fresh fruits and vegetables before replacing. Line hydrator drawers with paper towels for easier cleanup. A little preventative maintenance pays off in less food spoilage and allows your appliance to operate more efficiently .
Defrosting the Refrigerator
Defrosting the refrigerator is almost a thing of the past - like ice boxes. If you don't have a frost-free appliance, plan to defrost it when you see it build up to about a quarter inch.
Steps to Defrost Your Refrigerator
- Remove all frozen foods and ice cube trays. If you have a second refrigerator, use it to temporary store these items. If not, put the food in a cardboard box and cover it with newspaper. Dump the ice cubes.
- Remove all other food stuff and place on your kitchen counter or in cardboard boxes.
- Either turn the temperature control "defrost" or unplug the electricity to the refrigerator (or both).
- Some people put a pan of hot water in the freezing compartment to help defrost quickly; some use a hair dryer on low temperature setting.
- NEVER scrape or jab at the ice with a sharp instrument. You may cause serious damage to the freezing unit. Allow it to melt.
- Either put a flat pan under the freezer to catch the drips or put a large thirsty towel in the bottom of the refrigerator.
Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors
Nothing looks worse in your refrigerator than a growth of ugly black, yellow or green mildew! You can kill and prevent mildew by wiping the inside of your refrigerator with pure white vinegar. Vinegar discourages and prevents the growth of mildew, molds and other undesirable bacteria. After application of vinegar, wipe the surface with a clean, damp rag and dry thoroughly.
Deep Cleaning Your Refrigerator
Refer to manufacturer's instructions on cleaning frost-free freezer units. Some have easily accessible drain holes that you can check for cleanliness and clogs, but some manufacturers don't mean for you to get that involved. Best to check your manual and then follow the recommendations. (If you no longer have the owner's manual, you may find it on line by going to the manufacturer's web site. Be sure you know the make and model number of your appliance.)
Using a soft cloth or household sponge dipped in hot soapy water, wipe down the surface of your refrigerator being sure to include the top of the appliance. Use a sanitizer cleaner on and around the door handle.
Enlisting the aid of a helper, move the refrigerator out of its place every now and then to vacuum the coils on the back and clean out from under. Remove the louvered ventilation panel which is usually found in the front, under the door of the appliance and wash it. Use your vacuum tools to suck up the dust and debris that settles on the coils. If there's a drip pan, wash it well, dry it and spray with a sanitizer before replacing.
If you need to store an unused refrigerator, remove all food, clean and sanitize the inside. Remove the door -- never leave the door on a refrigerator that is not being used! Children find old refrigerators as wonderful places to play. If one gets inside and the door accidentally closes, there is no way out. It's extreme negligence to allow this potential hazard to exist when it can be easily avoided by just taking the door off! Hinges and hinge pins can be put inside a plastic bag and taped to the door. Sprinkle activated charcoal on the bottom to absorb odors.
Don't use empty refrigerators as storage units for other items unless they are very light. Don't store anything that can damage interior walls, or that could contaminate food, such as weed killer, fertilizers, etc., in case you decide to use the refrigerator again.
