A few days ago while trying to come up with a topic for today’s blog post, I asked this question on Twitter…

“Trying to come up with a topic for post to the Fuller Brush Girl blog. Need ideas. When it comes to housekeeping my toughest chore is ______ “

One of the reponses I received was from @SherylLoch who replied…

“Cleaning the fridge with something that doesn’t leave a smell yet, has scrubbing power. Also drip drain scum removal.”

I knew immediately where Sheryl was coming from, because I equate the ‘pain’ of cleaning the refrigerator right up there with having a tooth filled.

I must not be alone in that equation, because according to this article in the Wall Street Journal, yes, I said the Wall Street Journal, titled, “Why Won’t Anyone Clean the Refrigerator”…

“Most Americans clean their fridges only once or twice a year”.

But just like going to the dentist, a regular cleaning of your fridge is a necessary evil. Doing so helps prevent kitchen smells and food borne illnesses. So right now, grab your calendar, choose a date and time, and schedule a “Date with your Refrigerator”.

Following the steps below should make it not quite so painful.

Remove the Food:

Toss any old or expired food into the trash. Remove the food that is still good to a cooler with ice to keep it safe and cold while you clean the refrigerator.

Remove Shelves and Drawers:

Take out all removable drawers and shelves and set them aside. Drawers and shelves that are made of metal or plastic can actually be washed with hot water and dish soap right away, but glass and ceramic pieces need to gradually warm up to room temperature before being washed with hot water to prevent cracking and breaking.

Wipe Down Refrigerator Interior:

Use a clean cloth with hot water and a mild detergent like dish soap. Work from top to bottom to prevent dripping on surfaces that are already clean. Tough stuck on spills may need a plastic, non-abrasive scrubber. (Like a Wipe It Away Microfiber Cloth from Fuller Brush)

Another option, is to lay a warm wet cloth over the spilled area for a few minutes. The spilled area will be softer and easier to wipe away. Rinse cloths thoroughly and/or use multiple cloths to insure cleanliness. Pay special attention to the bottom crevices and back of the refrigerator where spills tend to migrate. Finally wipe down the interior doors.

For really sticky messes, like soda that has been spilled down the back of the refrigerator and caramelized under the crisper drawers (yes, I speak from experience), Fuller Brush’s Sticky Stuff Remover sprayed onto a rag and used on the spill will make the clean-up much easier.

Clean Shelves and Drawers:

Now that your shelves and drawers have had time to warm up gradually, take a few moments to clean and dry them thoroughly. Be careful, especially when handling slippery glass shelving. Wearing dishwashing gloves may be helpful to prevent breakage.

Dry Interior:

Using a clean dry cloth or towel. Wipe down the interior of the refrigerator to make sure it is completely dry. Don’t forget to dry the interior doors as well.

Replace the Food:

Put the food back into the refrigerator. Now is also a good time to wipe off any jars or containers of food that may need it, like a sticky jelly jar or a crusty salad dressing lid. Take care to use clean cloths when working with your food jars and dry them throughly as well.

Clean Out the Freezer:

Use the same methods listed above to clean out a freezer. The great thing about freezers is that they rarely have spills and need to be scrubbed out much less often. You may need to only check for and remove expired food. If the freezer does require more thorough cleaning, you can use the same methods used in the refrigerator.

Clean the Outside:

Starting from the top, wipe down and clean the exterior of the refrigerator using hot/warm water and a mild dish soap. If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, you’ll need to use a soft non-scratching rag, and vinegar or a window cleaner to keep the surface shiny. Don’t forget to clean the rubber gasket seal around the edges of the door using dish soap and warm water. Dirt and grime can collect here and cause the seal to crack.

The door gasket, if washed often, will usually last as long as the refrigerator. Check to see if it is sealing well by closing a dollar bill in the door. If you feel a resistance when you pull it out, the gasket is holding. Repeat the test in several places. If your gasket does not pass this test, it should be replaced.

Check the Drain and Drip Pan:

In automatically defrosted refrigerators, water from the melting frost flows out a drain in the floor of the refrigerator and into a drip pan, where it evaporates. Food particles can be carried along, clogging the drain and causing odors. Clean the drain regularly by following these steps…

• Remove the stopper, usually located in the back of the unit under the drawers.
• Use a pipe cleaner or similar device to push any accumulations through to the drain pan below.
• Force a solution made from dishwashing soap, ammonia, and water through the drain.

Remove the grill from the bottom front of your refrigerator and use a flashlight to locate the drip pan. It will be on top of the condenser coils. Drip pans can become moldy and gross over time, so wear gloves and be prepared.

Remove the drip pan and clean thoroughly. You may need to use bleach. When in doubt refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them. Dry and replace the pan and front grill.

For really scummy jobs like those referred to by Sheryl, I suggest using Fuller Brush Fulsol Spray & Wipe with the Wipe It Away Microfiber Cloth to clean the drip pan.

Clean the Refrigerator Condenser Coils:

Not only will cleaning the condenser coils help prolong the life of your fridge, it also helps cut down on the amount of electricity it uses. You’ll find step by stop instructions on how to do this on the June 14th post titled, Cleaning Refrigerator Condenser Coils.

Resource used to compose this article: About.com

Related Fuller Brush Products:

Wipe It Away Microfiber Cloths – Item #145

25¢ from Each Sale of Wipe It Away Cloths Will be Donated to Benefit Breast Cancer Research.

Dual Performance Cloth…Scrubbing/Cleaning Side and Polishing Side. Jacquard weave microfiber (85% polyester, 15% polyamide) cloths can be used wet or dry to clean and polish any hard surface. The jacquard side helps remove and trap stubborn dirt and grime in between the weave, while the open end side of the cloth wipes and polishes the surface leaving a streak free finish. Package of 2 Cloths, 14″ x 14″ each.

Click on the picture below to learn more…

Fulsol Spray & Wipe Citrus Degreaser – Item #625907

Concentrated Power! Just Spray & Wipe!
All the power of Fulsol now in a convenient, ready-to-use form. Use all over the house on any non-porous surface. Dissolves grease and grime, wipes clean and leaves a fresh, clean fragrance. 22 fl.oz. Includes Spray Trigger.

Click on the picture below to learn more…

Appliance Cleaner & Wax – Item #754

Clean, shine and protect kitchen surfaces all at once!
Just spray Appliance Cleaner & Wax and wipe to leave a satiny protective finish on countertops fixtures, faucets, refrigerators and kitchen appliances. 14 oz.

Click on the picture below to learn more…

Independent Fuller Brush Distributor #0232034

If you have any questions about The Fuller Brush Company or their products, feel free to contact me.

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Tags: house cleaning, Kitchen, refrigerator

This entry was posted on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 2:26 pm and is filed under All House, How-To, Kitchen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.