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To continue our Spring Cleaning tips, let’s clean one of the large appliances today. I suggest we start with that workhorse of the kitchen which protects our lifegiving nourishment. Let’s spring clean the refrigerator with ice maker, and freezer combination. This is not a “sweating buckets all day under the glaring sun” type of job, thankfully. Also, the results are quite pleasant.
Let’s start with a question: do you have a waterline and ice maker built into your refrigerator? If so, let’s start by cleaning that area. First, let’s gather the necessary materials to Spring Clean your refrigerator.
Grab these things:
- dishwashing gloves (optional)]
- sponge or dishwashing cloth
- dish towel
- vinegar
- picnic cooler
- small cleaning brush
Cleaning the Ice Maker and Freezer Section
You may also need some small hand tools, depending on if you have the ice maker built into your refrigerator. If you do have one, you need to unplug your refrigerator and remove your frozen goods to your cooler. You can use your refrigerator buyer’s manual to look up how to clean the ice maker, if you have it. If it’s not available, then you can check by wiggling your ice unit to see how it is installed. Sometimes the unit is just set in there. Sometimes it is sort of plugged in, so you have to pull it out gently. But sometimes it is screwed down, so you’ll need to undo the screws
Once it is loose, pull it out and set it next to your sink. Dampen your sponge or cloth with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. You can also add a drop of dishwashing detergent if you want. I’m always afraid I won’t be able to get all of the detergent rinsed off, since I can’t submerge the unit in water.
Once you have it washed off, rinse out your cloth and wash the unit again to remove the vinegar taste. Set it aside while you wash the inside of the freezer area with the same solution you used for the ice maker. Also, clean the door seal with the cloth and the solution, then rinse. If necessary, employ the small cleaning brush.
Go ahead and reinstall the ice maker. Replace the frozen foods in the unit.
Now to Clean the Cool Section
Next, remove the food from the refrigerated section of the appliance. Remove and wash shelves and removable drawers. Dry them carefully and set them aside.
Using the above 50/50 solution again with the cloth or sponge, carefully wash the walls and the floor of the refrigerated section. Rinse with plain water. Dry carefully. A clean microfiber cloth works well for this.
Getting It All Back Together
Replace the shelves and the drawers. Return the food that should go back. Discard any food that should not be put back in the refrigerator. Now you can shut the door(s) and plug in the unit, so it can start to cool again.
Prepare a bowl of solution of warm water/vinegar. Using your cloth again, wash the outer surface of the refrigerator. Pay particular attention to the handles and behind the handles.
If there is a drain pan under your refrigerator, pull it out, wash and dry it, then reinstall.
Step back and take a look. Nice, isn’t it?
Finish and Clean Up
Very quickly, clean up and put your cleaning materials away. Now, if you’re flexible enough, pat yourself on the back! If not, just smile contentedly. You’ve finished another step in Spring Cleaning.
Next, we will tackle the stove and the dishwasher.