Spring Cleaning for Your Refrigerator

Tips on Keeping your Refrigerator Clean and Sanitary

Spring is a time of renewal. Maybe that’s why the habit of Spring Cleaning exists. While it’s great to clean the closets and scrub the floors, let’s not ignore our appliances. They need periodic cleaning as well.

Cleaning the Outside.

Clean the outside of your refrigerator thoroughly. Soap and water is good to start with. Non-abrasive liquid household cleaners are generally fine, but check the contents since some cream type cleaners have a type of grit in them. Elbow grease will help with most that is stuck on, but for tougher smudges try first soaking to soften-up and then carefully use a plastic scraper with a smooth edge to avoid scratching.

Remove the shelves or racks, and clean them thoroughly with soap and water. Use an antibacterial soap or cleanser if you have one. Empty the crispers and any other drawers or compartments, and remove them if you can. Clean the crispers thoroughly, just as you did the shelves. While the shelves are still out of the refrigerator wipe down the interior walls of the refrigerator.

Deep Cleaning

Pull your refrigerator away from the wall. Refrigerators have wheels, but they may be inoperable when the leveling legs are lowered after installation. Look for the turnscrews and use them to raise the leveling legs so that you can roll out the refrigerator without damaging your floor. Clean the floor behing the unit, and if necessary, the wall behind the refrigerator. If there are exposed coils anywhere in the rear, clean them at this time with a brush or vacuum. Sometimes, the condenser coils are under the refrigerator and you may need a special brush to clean them. Fortunately, some newer refrigerators have self-cleaning coils that require no maintenance.

If you have an automatic icemaker, empty the ice bin and clean it out thoroughly. Since ice can wedge itself in corners, remove ice pieces that you find stuck anywhere in the unit. Rinse the icemaker bin with clear water and dry it before returning it to the freezer.

Replace Filters

If you’re not replacing your refrigerator filter on a regular schedule, take this opportunity to find out when they were last replaced, and if it is due, replace it. It’s especially important to replace the water filter regularly. Today’s refrigerators may also have additional filters such as an air filter to keep the internal refrigerator air fresh and odor free. In addition, some crisper refrigerator filters can absorb ethylene and preserve the freshness of fruits and vegetables.

It depends on usage and your daily care of your refrigerator, but it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean your fridge annually. Eventually, you may need to replace the old refrigerator. When that time comes, be sure to contact the professionals at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.

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