If you own a mini fridge, you'll want to make sure you know how to clean it, because just like full-size refrigerators, they need to be cleaned every so often. This article will help you keep focused on what you need to do to clean that fridge on both the inside and outside - especially if it's been a while since it's had its last deep-clean.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 4:
Getting Ready to Clean
-
Remove any magnets or decorations and set them aside. These will need to be hand done in a separate sink-washing cycle with some dish detergent and a cloth and towards the end - a towel.
-
Remove all products from the fridge. If it has any additional removable shelving, remove those shelves as well. Be mindful to place those items which are perishable into other cold-storage locations so they do not perish!
- Remove products from shelves inside the door portion of the fridge, too, because those will need to be cleaned as well.
- Mentally note the direction of each shelf as you remove it so that when you place it back into the fridge it can be placed back where it was found. If you think you might need a reminder, take a picture with your phone before removing them.
Advertisement -
Unplug the fridge from the outlet, and leave it unplugged until every place inside of it has been cleaned and serviced. Chances are that the inside of the fridge and freezer will need defrosting and having it unplugged will help it defrost. Leave the fridge door open to get ready for deep cleaning.
-
Make sure you have enough room around the fridge to effectively clean it. If possible, you may even be able to set it on top of other areas so you don't have to bend down as much.
-
Place a bath towel down, so that large chunks of ice that may drip from a defrost cycle can drip onto something that will be cleaned anyway. Place it down inside the fridge so that the towel will fit and extend to cover both sides and the fridge door wide open.
- This will need to be considered only if the freezer is inside the main part of the mini-fridge. Those which have separate doors to separate freezers may need to have separate cleaning cycles and avoid this towel placement.
-
Make sure to light your area well. Daytime cleaning is often the best time to do so, though evening may be the best time to let things sit and begin airing for defrosting. External lighting may be required if you try to work your magic at night.Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 4:
Cleaning the Inside
-
Work your magic as the defrosting cycle begins. Clean the inside of the fridge first, using several cleaning cloths and a bucket of water. Spray each area inside the fridge with the degreaser all-purpose cleaner and wipe down each area on the inside of the fridge. Don't concentrate on the door or outside of the fridge - those you'll get back to later. Concentrate on the sides and top of the fridge, as well as the back and bottom of the fridge, and any extender shelf that may be present where these pieces may not be removable.
- Don't worry too much about the freezer until the end, either - especially if it's being defrosted.
-
Clean the inside of your fridge's door's compartments. Any spot where there are spots that can be filled with products, you'll need to wipe down after being sprayed. Although each company has different areas and a variety of years have different features, you may find at least 3 slots or shelves that may need to be wiped down to be cleaned.
- After each area, change the bucket of water so that you won't cross-contaminate cleaner areas with dirtier water.
- If you have stains or scuff marks inside the fridge, you could try using a magic eraser to remove them.
-
Be mindful to clean all areas where removable shelves might be placed - even on levels where no shelves were placed should you clean, and be careful because both sides should have these levels.Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:
Cleaning the Outside
-
Clean the outside front of the fridge. Spray the front portion of the fridge's door and wipe the front of the door with a clean cloth.
-
Clean the top and outside sides - but avoid the back at first. Spray several times so that you can coat the entire top with enough spray - even some overspray is beneficial to a small extent.
-
Vacuum out the area where the refrigerant tubes are - avoiding any further cleaning product sprays if you aren't an HVAC technician who knows cooling devices and some electrical appliance repair. Vacuuming is safe and helps remove cob-and-spider webs from areas where spiders may have crawled into and around - especially in small areas.
-
Clean all shelves. If your shelf fits into the bucket of water - after changing the water and spraying some of your degreasers into the bucket - place the shelf into the bucket and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Pull it out and wipe it down on each spoke or rung as was found.
-
Clean the ice tray. In a mini-fridge, companies often use ice trays directly underneath their small freezers so that ice that forms can drip onto the tray. It's good to rinse it with a mild cleaning agent such as dish detergent.
-
Make sure to clean the power cord, but not the electrical-power end - as the fridge is defrosting. Spray some of the degreasers on a cleaned cloth or somewhat sturdy paper towel, and rub the wet end of the paper towel up and down the cord so that the cloth is curled around the cord itself.
-
Watch for areas where it will be harder to clean. Crevices may often need just your fingers, the cloth and the degreaser sprayed and ran up and down the crevice with the cleaning cloth.
-
Remove the towel used to pull up the ice chunks from the fridge and discard all ice chunks into a trash receptacle.
-
Clean the freezer compartment. After at least two hours and after all the defrosting has let the ice fall off and onto the towel, use a towel to dab-dry the inside of the fridge, and then use your degreaser to repeat. Watch out for the outside and inside of the freezer as well as the freezer door which should open.Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:
Finishing Up
-
Place all shelves back into the fridge.
-
Place the refrigerator back into its rightful spot. Ensure that the fridge is level and won't tip. Use cardboard or shims to level the fridge, if necessary.
-
Plug the refrigerator back into the wall.
-
Restock the fridge using the products you had before. Check their expiration date and discard those which have expired dates. Clean off with some water and a cloth on each item's external areas as you place them back into the fridge. Think about keeping these areas clean, and by cleaning off the products, you're avoiding a deep clean for another while.
-
Close up the door.
-
Place any magnets or decorations back onto the refrigerator.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Although cleaning with degreasers is fantastic, some degreasers may be slightly caustic - even those meant for residential or commercial use. Air out the room in which you are cleaning the device, and ensure that the room doesn't turn smoky as it's being cleaned. Take frequent breaks, but be mindful that after you unplug the fridge the device will begin melting the ice from the freezer and your breaks shouldn't be that long.
- Stick to the common-named degreaser All Purpose Cleaners such as Easy Off, Goo Gone, or some versions of Dawn - but some less popular ones such as Method All-Purpose Cleaner are often better on the environment and potentially on the lungs.
Thanks - Make sure to vacuum the area where the fridge is being put before placing the refrigerator back into place. Most mini fridges will be bulky rather than heavy prior to re-loading, but some of the older ones are/were both bulky and heavy at the same time - so be careful.Thanks
Advertisement
Warnings
- Avoid industrial-strength cleaners of any kind. Even if they say they clean better, they also destroy more than they clean, and are harsher on the lungs when you breathe in - when the refrigerator is done being cleaned and becomes powered again.Thanks
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Several towels
- Degreaser/All-Purpose Cleaner (see industrial strength cleaner warning)
- Bucket of Water
- Several cleaning cloths or a roll of paper towels (thicker paper towels are best)
- Heavier, unused cleaned items (to keep the fridge door open during cleaning)
- Extra portable light (if necessary) - but daylight works best
- Dish detergent
About this article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,551 times.
Advertisement
