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This weekend I (really) tackled cleaning out my fridge, and goodness gracious, it feels so good! While I’ve cleaned it out quite a few times before, I’ve never taken out every single piece of the refrigerator, so it was time to take it on. It’s amazing how wonderful it is to have that job done!
I knew there had to be a smart way to do it, and was thrilled when I found this smart idea on Pinterest.
I pulled every single thing out of the fridge (eek!), then gave all the parts a nice hot bath in the tub.
We have a guest bathroom that hardly ever gets used right next to our fridge, so I cleaned it out well, then put all the pieces (everything!) in a mixture of hot water with 1 cup Lysol 4-in-1 cleaner that’s been in my stockpile forever. (You could also use ammonia if you have that on hand, and I’m betting vinegar would work as well!)
After about 20 minutes of de-gunking in the tubs, I dried off all the shelves with large towels, and filled the fridge back up.
Success!
Have you done any Spring Cleaning at home lately? I’d love to know what other Spring cleaning tips you have, and if you have a certain project to tackle, please share it with me! As we’re still in the midst of this crazy move (just another few weeks ’til I’ll update you with more!), my friend Staci offered to possibly tackle a few of your Spring Challenges, so expect to see a few more this month.
Looking for more cleaning tips? Here are a few of my favorites:
I have a question if any one can help. I have a fridge that had bunch of meat in the freezer that spoiled. The breaker got flipped off to do some work and didn’t get cut back on. I have cleaned it twice. Chloxeclean up and a hose on the back deck. I’ve put baking soda in it I’ve but a bowl of vinegar but it still smells.any suggestions?
Ugh Kim – that’s a hard one! Bleach would work but I’d hate for that to be in contact with your food – I just found this on google, may be worth trying?
http://food.unl.edu/solving-odor-problems-your-refrigerator-or-freezer
I would use bleach water to kill bacteria. When that has dried, pickup some activated charcoal from the pet supply store (fish tank section). Set a dish of ot in the freezer. I use a lid from my Gladware as it provides more surface area to absorb. Change it out every week. Doesn’t work overnight, but it will work.
i do not dry the drawers, just clean and rinse the drawers and the cold air in the fridge will dry it.
I wash mine with baking soda & water & the parts with dish washing soap & rinse well& towel dry
or just throw it all in the dishwasher… like i do!
great Idea!
All I’d want to add is make sure if you have glass shelves, to let them come to room temp before submerging in hot water. A friend has one less fridge shelf due to an overeager helper, which makes things a little trickier.
Great tip Lanna – thanks for the reminder!
Good idea Tina.
Well this is a much better method than mine–taking everything outside and making the kids scrub it 🙂
I put mine in the dishwasher
I use lemon juice
Just be careful what you use as a cleaner. Something that doesn't smell strong otherwise the food in your fridge will absorb the door and it will be ruined. I ruined a chest freezer one time doing that. I would suggest the vinegar and water idea.
Thanks for sharing Marni! Mine was pretty diluted (I filled the tub full, and only used 1 cup) and then rinsed and dried everything well. I haven’t had any issues, but vinegar is always a safe bet!