I hate cleaning my refrigerator, so I'm always thinking of ways to make it easier. I have a side by side one. I take my shelves and drawers out, and wash them in the dishwasher. The dishwasher done a great job cleaning them. I just two at a time and that way I don't have to empty the all the food out. All I have to do it just wipe the walls and the bottom out. I hope this helps another busy mom out.
By CHRISTINA DEE COBB from Greenwood, SC
Editor's Note: Some drawers are not dishwasher safe and can be damaged by the hot temperatures.
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After cleaning the outside of my refrigerator, I place plastic wrap or "press 'n seal" over the entire top. Just replace as needed. Saves a lot of elbow grease.
If you do not do this, your refrigerator will work harder, using more electricity. It also will shorten its life. Follow the directions in your manual.
Next time you scrub out your refrigerator, scrub it with baking soda added to your water. It gives it a clean fresh smell.
I always clean out food from the fridge every week on the day before trash day. That way, there is no rot smell in the house or rotting food in the fridge.
When I clean my refrigerator, after removing all food and checking every thing, I take out all the shelves and bins. I then put them all in my "clean" bathtub.
I designate one day each week to go through my refrigerator to clean out any spoiled food and look for any good leftovers. Once I am finished with this task, I create a new recipe from the leftovers.
I admit cleaning the fridge is not high on my list but after I'm done cleaning the outside, I take strips of plastic wrap and place it on top of the fridge. Voila! Next time? Just replace.
Pick one day a week to clean out your refrigerator and wipe the shelves out then you'll do less work and always have a cleaner fridge than if you always let it get gross.
When refrigerators get old or have been in storage for a long time they can take on a stale odor, making it a less than appealing place to store your food. Often what happens is mold grows and creates the bad odors. Use the following recipe to help remove the mold and the odor.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a GE refrigerator and the handles are turning orange. They said to use a cleaner called Hot Melt which cannot be found anywhere. Can you give me the name of a cleaner to clean them?
Jo Ann
I use vinegar in my kitchen to clean everything. It cuts the grease & etc. Good luck.
I am a master plumber do not use the primer it eats into the plastic and if you get pvc cleaner it will not these are two different items we use the cleaner to get oils off the pvc and the primer to soften the pvc for gluing
My double door fridge is white. The handles have turned yellow. I have tried lots of things to get them clean, my latest being oven cleaner, but to no avail. They never come clean. Any suggestions?
Try making a paste with baking sida & white vinegar. Apply & scrub with a net ball or old toothbrush.
I saw an article some years ago about a lady that moved out the refrigerator by herself to clean the coils as she had nobody to assist her. I would like to see that reprinted. Thanks!
I do not have this TF article you refer to, but I'm 88 years old and I clean the condenser coils on the back of both my refrigerators every 6-8 months.
I have learned several things over the years that may help you keep safe and avoid a messy cleanup.
Always start your project by having all of your tools in one place, ready to be used. Also, have several large rags or old towels handy, just in case they're needed.
Safety: always unplug the appliance before doing anything else. Some plugs will be behind the refrigerator, so you'll have to pull this away from the wall to get to the plug.
However, you can remove the bottom panel to clean under the refrigerator without unplugging the unit. This space needs vacuuming/cleaning (as well as the removable front cover). This job can be difficult if you have difficulty getting down on your knees, so some people might need help with this task.
Remember to check your refrigerator to make sure there are no open containers or anything that might fall over and make a mess when the unit is moved.
Check some of the YouTube videos that show how to pull the unit away from the wall. Do this moving very slowly and if your unit has an ice dispenser, be sure to not pull your unit out too far and accidentally pull the water hose loose.
I have some links listed that demonstrate how to clean the back condenser coils.
www.youtube.com/
www.homeserve.com/
fredsappliance.com/
Hello. I tried to look for the article but I think the person who left the previous comment is on the right track. Make sure your fridge is unplugged before you try anything. Maybe even clean out the fridge to make sure that anything that can be spoiled is removed and in a ice chest. Then you can remove the panel at the front of the fridge and just use a vacuum hose to gently vacuum the coils. After that is completed you can just put the front pannel back on and turn the fridge back on.
If you can't be on your knees for that long, I would recommend getting a stool. You would need to move the fridge to get to the power cable, they aren't too heavy, but you might want a dolly of some sort to help easily move it without putting too much weight on you. Hope this helps.
Or if you are feeling like you still can't do it on your own I would look into hiring someone to help. Like www.missionviejohousecleaningservices.../
Tips for cleaning out the fridge. Post your ideas.
When cleaning out the refrigerator I put all the stuff to be thrown out into those Walmart bags that we all collect. I always double or triple the bags and put into the kitchen garbage. This keeps for at least one day while I continue to clean and also put any garbage from meals into the can. I then can wrap up the whole kitchen trash and add the bathroom too, which I also put the walmart bags into.
By RoseMary
Any leftovers that are too "old" for us to eat, I give to our dogs. If you do not have a dog, keep an ice cream pail in the freezer and save the old leftovers for a friend or relative's dog. When we had rabbits, the "bunny food" that was older went to the rabbits. Now, the old lettuce and salad stuff can go into the compost pile or just into the garbage.
After cleaning out your refrigerator, dampen a cloth or clean sponge with white vinegar and wipe down the walls and shelves in the fridge. It will both cut down odors and help prevent mildew.
Hi, I need to sell my old fridge. What's the best way to clean it thoroughly as well as eliminating the bad smell? Somebody said to use charcoal and baking soda? Thanks.
First you have to clean everywhere you can reach (vinegar, comet cleanser, Baking soda, bartender's friend, whatever you prefer)... Then the magic: Cinnamon oil on paper towels, crumpled into cups. Run the fridge a day or more.The scent circulates everywhere you can't reach or see, killing mold, mildew, and any other disgusting odor. I got mine from the pharmacy counter at Walgreens but later noticed it was imitation cinnamon oil so getting the strongest cinnamon scent from anywhere should work
Wow that sure great for the environment
What do I use to to clean and freshen your refrigerator? I have tried everything and it does not work.
By Lisa from OH
Try a magic eraser. Also try some baking soda and water. Leaving a box of baking soda is also a good option.
Freshening I use a brown paper bag, wad it up and place it in the back of the fridge. Change when you need to! For cleaning, I use equal amounts of vinegar and water, spray it on wipe it off.! Hopes this helps!
My vegetable bin has some gunk between the front white part and the clear plastic part of the bin that I cannot get to. I am afraid of trying to take the front part off for fear of breaking it. Any suggestions?
By Claire T.
This is a page about removing odors from a refrigerator. Determining the source is the first step in removing odors from your refrigerator.
This is a page about cleaning grease off a refrigerator. Your kitchen can be a greasy environment, leaving residue on appliances, counters, and cabinets.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I have a white, two door refrigerator with textured handles. They look horrible. I have tried Magic Eraser to no avail. Does anyone have a successful cleaning method?
After thoroughly cleaning the outside of the refrigerator, I line the top with plastic wrap. No more greasy, dusty grime!
