What is the process of cleaning the refrigerator? Freezer? Learn the process of cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer in your kitchen. Before beginning the process of cleaning the refrigerator, be sure...
Before beginning the process of cleaning the refrigerator, be sure to unplug it or turn the temperature control off. The door will be open for a little while, so you don't want to make the refrigerator work overtime trying to maintain its temperature.
The process of cleaning the refrigerator begins by emptying it out. Melissa Briones, owner of Melissa's House Cleaning in Lawton, Oklahoma, says, "I start by taking everything out of the fridge,all the food, all the shelves and drawers, everything."
As you remove the food items, check them for freshness. If they are moldy, rancid, or have otherwise expired, throw them out. If you see that you have containers that are sticky or dirty from food, wipe them off with a damp, lightly soapy dishcloth. Things that may need to be wiped down include syrup containers, opened fruit juice cartons and soda bottles, food containers that have been repeatedly opened, and items of that nature.
Once the food is taken out of the refrigerator, carefully remove the glass shelves and the fruit/vegetable bins and bring them to the kitchen sink or to your bathtub for cleaning with dish soap.
Before you begin cleaning these accessories, however, clean the inside surfaces of the refrigerator. All you should need for this is some warm water with a little dish soap. Briones says, "I usually use a large bowl filled with soap and water. You can also use a little bit of Formula 409 too. Then, just wipe down with soap and water, using Formula 409 to get the tougher stains out. Wipe all the shelves on the door too." If you haven't already wiped off your food containers, Briones recommends, "As you are putting the food back into the refrigerator, wipe the containers off. I would do the same with the freezer."
If you find that your refrigerator has odors, you can add some baking soda to your bowl of soap and water and this will help neutralize the odors as you clean. You can also leave an opened box of baking soda on your refrigerator shelf and in your freezer to absorb food odors.
Don't forget to dry the surfaces of your refrigerator well before putting the shelves, bins, and food back in. Too much moisture in your refrigerator can promote the growth of mold and mildew. Use paper towels or a dry cloth.
According to Briones, "You can clean the outside of the refrigerator with Formula 409 or soap and water." The same as the inside. And don't forget to clean the rubber seals around the door.
Never use harsh chemicals when cleaning your refrigerator. And never use abrasives. Most refrigerator components will scratch easily if scrubbed with abrasive cleansers or steel wool pads. For tough stains, it's best to use patience and to keep wiping with soapy water or allow some Formula 409 to sit on the stain for a few minutes before wiping.
Before you plug the refrigerator back in, vacuum the coils behind the refrigerator. Also vacuum the coils in the front just below the refrigerator door. This will add longevity to the life of your refrigerator and help it run more efficiently.
According to Briones, "The refrigerator should be cleaned about every two weeks." You don't want to keep moving your frozen goods in and out of the freezer, so you may want to clean the freezer about once a month or go even a little longer, unless of course there is a lot of "traffic" there or if it is visibly in need of a cleaning. If your freezer needs regular defrosting, you can use that time to clean the freezer and take care of two chores at once.
To keep your refrigerator clean in between cleanings, be sure to clean up any spills right away. Keep lids tight on food containers, especially on foods with strong odors.
