How Do I Clean Mold and Mildew from My Refrigerator?
No one wants to open their refrigerator to the sight of mold and mildew, but sometimes we just overestimate how long our refrigerators can keep our food fresh, and other times we simply forget that the food was in there in the first place. No matter what chain of events led up to your refrigerator becoming the breeding ground for unpleasant forms of fungus, it’s time to break out the cleaning supplies and start scrubbing away.
Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies:
- Two empty spray bottles
- Cleaning rags and / or paper towels
- Cotton swabs
- Toothbrush
- Water
- Dish soap
- Bleach
- White vinegar
Once you’ve gathered up your tools, empty your refrigerator of all items. Keep a cooler filled with ice ready if you have any perishables like milk and eggs, or time your clean for when all of those items are ready to expire.
Cleaning Shelves
Not that your fridge is empty, use dish soap and a damp rag to wipe down every surface to remove any excess food residue and pull out any drawers for a better clean. Next, fill your first spray bottle with a thoroughly mixed solution of equal parts water and bleach. Spray the surfaces you just wiped down with the bleach solution, and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before using a damp towel or rag to wipe the areas clean. Make sure to pay extra attention to the guide rails and drawer tracks when cleaning – any leftover mold spores could spread and create new problems in the near future. The best way to clean out every nook and cranny is to use a cotton swab soaked in your bleach solution.
Cleaning Walls
Next up, spray your bleach solution on the interior walls of your fridge, and let it sit for another 10 to 15 minutes before taking a damp towel or rag and wiping it down. It’s best to start your clean on the back of the fridge before moving to the sides, and finally to the drawer basin.
Cleaning Drawers
Remember those drawers you pulled out two steps ago? Now it’s time to spray them down with your bleach solution and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. After you’ve wiped them down with a damp rag or towel, make sure to dry them completely – if you put them back in your fridge while still damp, you’ve left the door open for mold to make its triumphant return.
Cleaning Gaskets
The last part you need to clean are the gaskets. Bleach won’t work this time because it will damage the rubber seal, so fill the other spray bottle with a thoroughly mixed solution of equal parts water and white vinegar and spray all around the gaskets. This time you only need to let it sit for about five minutes before wiping them down with a damp rag or towel. Once you’ve done that, soak a cotton swab in your vinegar solution and run it along all of the edges, and use the toothbrush to scrub down any potentially problematic areas. Wipe the gaskets down a second time, and make sure to dry them thoroughly before replacing any drawers or food.
It’s always best to clean your fridge every couple of months before mold has a chance to grow to disgusting levels. As ideal as that may be, we understand just how difficult it can be to set aside enough time during your busy schedule, which is what we’re here for. At The Maids Murrieta, our crew of professional cleaners is ready to help make your house spotless. Get the process started by sending us a message about your cleaning needs, or by giving us a call at (972) 471-9509 so we can give you a free price estimate!
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