Q&A for How to Clean a Refrigerator

That's where the condenser is. What happens is that anything in front of your fridge ends up getting sucked into the grate there. It can get especially dirty for people who have pets.

It depends on where you live, but the general rule of thumb is to do it twice a year. That's probably a safe estimate for most people.

Any kind of oil (such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or baby oil) should break down the adhesive so you can wipe the residue off. Then, clean the area with a cloth dipped in soapy water.

You can use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner to suck up any crumbs or dry debris. For anything else, a small scrub brush or even a toothbrush should get into the small crevices if a cloth won't fit.

See if the layers are designed to come apart. If so, you can pop the glass out and clean it with soap and water that way. Otherwise, soaking it might work because the soap and water would get between the layers just like the trapped liquid did. If your sink isn't big enough to completely submerge the shelf, you might need to use the bathtub.

No. You can place the open box of baking soda in your fridge just as you would any other food. If you're cleaning the inside of your fridge with baking soda, you don't have to unplug it for that either.

You don't have to wait any time at all—once your fridge is clean, it's ready to go. If you unplugged it and moved it to get to the condenser coils, make sure they're dry. Other than that, it'll work immediately.

The temperature of your fridge doesn't matter. You don't have to unplug it to clean the inside, so whatever temperature it's normally at is perfectly fine. If you're cleaning the condenser coils, check to see if they're hot to the touch. If they are, wait a few minutes to be safe—you don't want to accidentally burn yourself.

Use a little lighter fluid to lift off the marks. Apply it to the marks with a soft cloth and the marks should lift off with ease. To remove the lighter fluid, make a soapy water mix with dish washing detergent and wipe over the cleaned area. Allow to air dry.

You can store them in an ice box or cooler, or place in frozen food carrier bags available from supermarkets and outdoor stores. Pay special attention to ice cream by placing it in the middle and surrounding the ice cream with the other frozen foods. If it's a long clean and the kitchen is quite hot, then wrap with a wool blanket or duvet to provide some insulation.

Cut out a small piece of paper or fold a Post-It note in half. Before shutting the refrigerator door, slide the paper in where the seal closes and then shut the door completely. The paper should be caught there. Try tugging it; if it won't budge or is hard to move, then the seal is still good. However, if the paper is loose or pulls out with ease, then the seal is worn and needs to be replaced.

Yes, a new refrigerator needs to be cleaned before use. There is still machine oil, factory dust and other leftover grime from creating the machine that needs to be removed first. Then it will be safer and cleaner for your food.

Baking soda is not bad at cleaning up grease on hard surfaces. Add warm water to the baking soda to make a paste. Let it sit on the grease for awhile before scrubbing off gently.

Yes. In fact, you may prefer cleaning out the vegetable basket before you get your next round of groceries for the week.

Your freezer might not be set to a low enough temperature. Try finding the settings (usually in the refrigerator section and not the freezer) and set it lower.

Usually the glass shelves in a refrigerator are removeable, so you need to lift out the glass and clean it separately (put a towel in the bottom of the sink to avoid breakage), and then clean the frame after letting it soak with spray cleaner for a few minutes.

Buy a new fridge. Fly and larva should not inhabit your refrigerator if it's at the correct temperature. If it's due to it being off, I suggest a wet dry vacuum and very strong cleaner.

You can use the same cleaner as inside the refrigerator. You may also want to try a bleach-based cleaner to kill the mold.

Use the same cleaner as inside. Bleach cleaner can also be used on the outside if that's an option for you. If it's stainless steel, just buy a special stainless steel cleaner.

It could be that there is some residual soap stuck to the glass that isn't being washed off properly. Make sure the glass jar bottoms are clean and dry prior to putting them in the fridge.

Absolutely! Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Gently mist the solution onto the surface and wipe with a soft cloth, following the grain of the steel. This helps remove residue without scratching. For stubborn spots, a dab of olive oil on a microfiber cloth works wonders. Rub the oil in, then buff with a clean cloth for a brilliant shine.

1. Unplug the refrigerator. 2. Remove the base grille, if necessary. 3. Use a refrigerator coil brush (part number PM14X51) to brush any dust, dirt, pet hair, etc. from the coils. 4. Sweep or vacuum up any dirt, dust, pet hair, etc. on the floor. 5. Replace the grille. 6. Plug refrigerator back into the wall receptacle.

Make a cleaning solution of equal parts hot water and vinegar. Or, make one consisting of 1-quart hot water with 2 tablespoons baking soda. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. Then liberally spray the inside of the freezer. Wipe out the freezer with a sponge or dishcloth.

Usually it is fine to use the fridge again. In most cases, removal of the rotten food and a good cleaning is all that is necessary. If there is extensive rot for months and months, it may be necessary for a deeper cleaning and making sure there isn't unwanted growth anywhere else in the refrigerator.

Try to use as little force as necessary. you could try heating the area with a blow dryer to get things warmed up, or you could try a thin plastic prying/scraping tool to get in between the shelf and work enough of the sticky stuff out.