Comments on: How to Clean a Refrigerator

on 7/24/2008 I had the worst refrigerator odor coming from a combination of cheese, onions and chinese food. Pretty bad. After trying just about everything else including baking soda which didn't really work well, I saw a recommendation about a product called Fridge-IT. It is a little purple activated carbon odor absorber. Might be little but wow, does it work great. I highly recommend it.
www.innofresh.com

on 12/19/2007 I always add a touch of bleach to my cleaning solutions. Or at least rinse with a bleach solution and let air dry. The bleach kills all kinds of beasties.

on 11/9/2007 To really clean and sanitize your refrigerator, use one full capful of Listerine Original Gold (or store brand look alike) in a large mixing bowl with warm water for a surprising fresh and hospital sanitized refrigator. If mold or other creepy things have found a home inside your refrigerator, remove ALL foodstuffs and use ½ cup household bleach in a glass mixing bowl of warm water to scrub and neutralize undetected or known germs/mold. Be certain to use a scrub brush on all seams, corners and walls to loosen locked on food particles. When bleach cycle is completed, follow with a rinse-then dry everything inside-thoroughly. Taking time to line with paper towels all food drawers and vegetable bins-to help you with the next clean up.

Check the both Refig 40 degrees and Freezer temps Zero.

on 8/10/2007 After cleaning fridge, it still seems to smell from the fish leftovers, etc. I found the very best product made just for this called FRIDGE IT. It is a little inexpensive fragrance free activated carbon filter that I buy at Linens N Things. Also, direct at www.innofresh.com. Fantastic and no chemicals or spills and works so much better than baking soda. I use this product around the house now to get rid of lots of problem odors around trash and litter box.

on 6/30/2006 Living in a very humid climate plays havoc with the outside of appliances. To prevent rust, I apply Mr. Sheen to all of my appliances on a weekly basis.

on 11/22/2005 Use your bathtub instead of the kitchen sink to wash your shelves and drawers!

on 11/22/2005 The problem with many cleaners that people use in their refrigerators is that the odors from them tend to seep into their food after the job is done. A mixture of half water and half white vinegar works very nicely on even the trickiest stains and leaves very little odor behind.

If you need to defrost a freezer and you need to get it done fast, using a hair-dryer on the area can be a real help. Make sure the plug does not come near any of the dripping water. I would recommend placing a pan underneath the area being defrosted to catch ice chunks and water.

on 6/11/2007 When closing up my vacation home for the summer I thoroughly empty and clean the fridge, next I put a small bowl of (cheap) ground coffee (not instant) on one of the shelves, I unplug the fridge and close the door, this absorbs all moisture and all I have to do the following vacation is plug it in and fill it up! This also works for microwaves, dish washers, freezers etc.

on 11/22/2005 After cleaning the fridge, do a final wipe using a tiny amount of vanilla essence, the fridge will smell great!

on 11/22/2005 I have a brown refrigerator which had many fingerprints and wax build-up. I used WD-40 and it looks like new!! Just spray it on and wipe. I have always cleaned the outside, but it never shined before.

on 11/22/2005 I have an extra fridge in my laundry room. Unfortunately, it has to be defrosted! After cleaning, I spray the freezer with Pam Cooking Spray. When I unplug it to clean it again, the ice will just fall off after a few minutes.

on 11/22/2005 Before turning down the refrigerator or freezer dials, jot down the setting numbers, so when turning it back on, the temperatures are as they were before.

on 11/22/2005 I clean while it's virtually empty, before going grocery shopping. Most of us shop on a regular day once a week or even less often (twice a month, etc.). At this time, I remove any spoiled food and note any items I am missing for my shopping list.

on 11/22/2005 This trick is used by appliance rental stores and resale stores. Scrub with a non-abrasive toothpaste to whiten and refresh. Leaves the fridge sparkling clean and minty fresh! (I've tried it; it works! Got rid of spoiled onion odor.)

on 11/22/2005 Unscrew the bulb from its socket while you're doing this chore. Since these bulbs are only meant to be on for a few seconds each time the door is opened, they often burn out during the lengthy time the door is open for cleaning and defrosting.