What's the best way to clean out a fridge that has been sitting for awhile?

Question

The fridge has been out of commision of a little while. I see mold and want to kill it. Is bleach the best way to go? Obviously I'll clean what I see... but are there any areas I may need to really get into?

Answer 1

Things You'll Need:

Yardstick or broom handle and sock or rag of some kind

Mild detergent

All purpose spray cleaner

Baking soda

Step1

To clean underneath the fridge, pull an old white sock over a yardstick or broom handle and secure it with a rubber band. You can use anything as long as it will sweep out the stuff under there--a towel or whatever you have will be fine.

Step2

Pull the fridge out from the wall. Vacuum the condenser coils if they are visible (some are behind an added metal piece) and clean underneath them as well--even if they aren't visible.

Step3

Clean the top by taking everything off of it and cleaning with a good spray cleaner. Wipe dry and leave the junk off of there. Clean the outside of the fridge with the same cleaner and wipe dry.

Step4

Pull all drawers out and place food on paper towels or on a tray. Wash the drawers with warm soapy water. Clean behind them, too. Dry and replace and throw out any food that isn't good. One at a time take the food off the shelves out and pull them out, washing them in hot soapy water, too. Clean door shelves with a warm soapy rag and rinse and dry.

Step5

Line a laundry basket with newspapers and then a garbage bag. Put frozen foods here. Wipe down all the freezer shelves with a warm wrung out rag. If there is a food stain, use a little more elbow grease and soap the rag a bit more.

Step6

If you have to defrost your freezer, put your food in an ice chest with ice for safe keeping first. Keep the door open and wipe with hot water soaked rags, mopping up the mess as you go until the ice is gone. Wipe out the freezer well with hot water with just a little detergent in it. Make sure all of the soap gets out as it can leave an odor that foods can pick up if you don't. Rinse well. Replace foods that are good as quickly as possible. Put an open box of baking soda in the fridge and the freezer to absorb odors.

Step7

Wipe down lids, containers and caps that are sticky when you do this, too. Make sure that seals are tight by closing the door on a piece of paper and trying to pull it through. If it goes through you need new ones.

___________________

Tips:

Don't use too much soap as it can leave an odor especially in the freezer that can contaminate your foods.

Clean the fridge on trash day since there will most likely be food thrown out that will smell if left in the trash can.

Never poke at ice with a sharp object as you can puncture the plastic and ruin your freezer.

Answer 2

go to the shops and buy a spray on cleaner that kills most germs, then place a bowl of bicarbonate of soda inside the fridge to absorb all the smells

Answer 3

Baby bottle Sterlising Fluid (Milton is common brand) dilute it in a plastic bowl and just keep rinsing your cloth in the solution whilst systematically cleaning. Be sure to clean in between the pleats of the rubber door seal thoroughly.

Bleach is too strong and damages the plastic finish. Commercial cleaning products have scents and will linger in the plastics of the fridge and therefore will taint food stored in it.

Use a bottle cleaning brush to clean the auto defrost drain.

Make sure that you thoroughly clean the handle when you wash down the exterior of the cabinet.

Answer 4

lemon juice is good and smells nice

Answer 5

Spray the fridge & seals with bleach, this will kill the mold, let it work for about five minutes, using warm soapy water to clean it, rinse then let it air for about an hour, with the fridge door propped open, wipe out entire fridge with vanilla essence to freshen it.

Wipe the out side with a weak solution of bleach, and wipe down with clean water.  Vacuum the fins (usually the back of fridge) with a soft brush attachment, to loosen the dust, but be careful not to break any of the fins.