How to Clean a Refrigerator

One fine day, you decide to take care of your old friend, the refrigerator. Can you imagine how difficult life would have been if it wasn't for our dear refrigerator? The most used kitchen appliance is also one of the most neglected one. All you need to do is bring home one, plug it and presto - it keeps working till it faces some mechanical illness. We keep adding stuff to the refrigerator and eating food right out of it. Sodas, beer cans and juices all lined up, ready to go down our parched throats. We spill stuff, we mess things around, but never take refrigerator grooming seriously. The backside of the refrigerator, yes the one facing the wall, becomes a permanent home to a spider, who continues to make hundreds of webs around the coil. Dust and grime become a part of the machine behind the refrigerator. Then one fine day, when the ugly molds begin to make the scene horrifically unhygienic, we take up the task of spring cleaning. Let's have a look at some tips for cleaning a refrigerator that will help make this task a bit easy to do.

Best Way to Clean a Refrigerator

Once you decide on carrying on refrigerator cleaning, make sure you complete the task. Do not keep the matter pending, as the mold will continue to grow with time. The sooner the better is the mantra here. The best way to clean a refrigerator is to become organized.

The first step to do is become organized. Make sure you have the water tubs and mops, soaps and detergents in place. Then, it is always a better idea to have someone help you out. This is because it will take a while to empty your refrigerator totally. Also, you need someone to help you in moving the refrigerator and clean the backside. And finally, you will have some company while you carry out this tedious task.

Now, make sure you unplug your refrigerator at least 30 minutes to an hour before you empty the contents. This will help prevent food spoilage due to sudden change in temperature. Make sure there is limited food in your refrigerator and does not include perishable foods. Choose a day, before you bring home your weekly or monthly groceries.

Once the refrigerator is emptied, you and your partner (better if any) need to push the refrigerator away from the wall. Make sure you move the refrigerator a bit away from its current position. This will help you clean underneath it as well. Then, use a vacuum cleaner attached to a narrow nozzle to clean up the dust and grime on the coils. Remember, you should switch off the power supply and unplug the refrigerator, before cleaning a refrigerator.

You should clean the refrigerator drip pan that is located under the fridge. You should bend down and you will observe the try. You need to pull it out carefully, as it may contain collected water and grime. Take it to your sink and keep it under hot water. Make sure you keep it soaked in soap water while you go ahead cleaning a refrigerator.

Take a broom or your vacuum cleaner will do to clean off the dust and lint under the fridge. You can use a refrigerator cleaning brush from your local retail store for refrigerator cleaning. Once you have cleaned the back of the fridge, the floor and the walls, you can move the refrigerator back in place. Clean up the drip pan in the sink and then place it back in its original position.

Well, my friend, you have just won the battle, you now need to win the war. We shall now see how to clean the refrigerator from inside. The inside is a bit difficult, as it may be covered with nasty molds, spilled food, juices, water, milk, etc. Fungal molds may be growing in the vegetable tray and the freezer, you might as well rename it as Antarctica. (Just kidding!) So, we begin by removing all the shelves and drawers in the refrigerator. Place them all in your sink soaked in soap water, to be cleaned later on. You need to begin cleaning the inside of your refrigerator with a cloth, detergent and an old toothbrush to get to the hard places to reach. In case your refrigerator smells like a skunk, you can use baking soda instead of soap. It will help you get rid of the obnoxious odor. A hard to remove grime can be got rid of using vinegar. All you need to do is heat a bowl of vinegar well and place this bowl in the refrigerator. Close the door and allow the vinegar steam to loosen the stuck matte.

Use a clean piece of cloth and water to finish off your refrigerator cleaning. Do not forget to rinse your cloth in frequent intervals. Once the inside is spick and span, you can continue cleaning the trays and shelves. Have your partner clean up these shelves and drawers while you take care of the mold within the refrigerator. Once you finish, you can place the trays, shelves and drawers where they were before. Now, organize your food, milk, bottles, juices, chocolates, etc. in your now tidy refrigerator. Fill the ice trays with fresh water and place it in the refrigerator freezer. You can plug-in your refrigerator and switch on the power supply.

The best way to clean a refrigerator is to wipe off any food or liquid spills immediately. You should clean your refrigerator every 6 months, if you want to keep away the molds, bacteria, odor and food borne illnesses at bay. So, switch off your cell phone and switch on the music system. You are going to spend a good 3 to 4 hours cleaning a refrigerator. All the best!