Giving your refrigerator a deep clean will help extend its lifespan!
There comes a time when you will need to give your refrigerator a deep clean, and the time is likely now if you are reading this blog post. One may need to clean it more often than not, perhaps every few months or once a year. Even so, taking the time to perform a thorough clean will refresh and sanitize your fridge’s interior and extend your fridge’s lifespan. Here is your guide on how to clean a refrigerator completely!
Prepare
The first step is to ready your cleaning station. Make sure your kitchen sink is empty, your trash can is close at hand, and your cooler is ready in case you need to store frozen goods. Prepare your cleaning supplies as well; distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and a commercial cleaning solution are all good options. You will want to have a textured scrubber, condenser coil brush, and towel ready as well.
Clean the Interior
The smartest way to clean your refrigerator is to work one shelf or drawer at a time. Remove the items from each shelf, remove the shelf, and wash it in steaming hot water in the sink. Dry it off completely and let it cool before putting it back. You might also want to wipe down the interior walls of the fridge while you’re at it. Don’t forget to wipe down sticky jars, bottles, and containers before putting them back in the fridge.
Wipe the Exterior
You can also wipe over the exterior of the fridge with a regular cleaning spray. Wipe down the gasket if it is dirty as well, getting into the crevices where gunk may be lodged. If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, use a proper stainless steel cleaner to maintain its finish.
Clean the Coils
The condenser is the part that powers the coolness of your refrigerator and maintains its internal temperature. The coils are one part of the condenser that is exposed, usually at the back of the unit. It’s a smart idea to dust them once in a while to make sure they can continue to run properly. Remember to turn off and unplug your fridge before cleaning them, and wear a dust mask.
Dry the Drip Pan
The drip pan is typically located under your refrigerator and can be pulled out. The drip pan catches any excess condensation from the fridge and allows it to evaporate outside of it. If the drip pan is full, empty it out, clean it, and wipe it down.
Sanitize the Water Line
You likely have an ice maker in your freezer, and possibly a water dispenser. The water line to your fridge can become infested with bacteria, infecting the water and the ice cubes. One can turn off the water supply and run white distilled vinegar through the water line with the water dispenser and ice maker on. Wash out your ice cube bin when throwing out the first couple batches of vinegar ice. Your water and ice are good to go!
Contact Landers Appliance Today!
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