Cleaning Refrigerators

• A frost-free refrigerator should be cleaned when dirty or about every four to six months. Clean a manual-defrost refrigerator when you defrost the freezer compartment.
  
  
• Wash the drip pan whenever you defrost or clean your refrigerator.
  
  
• Defrost the freezer section of your refrigerator when the frost gets to be 1/2-inch thick. Turn off the freezer, and remove all food. Remove shelves, bins, racks, and trays, and wash them in a mild soap solution. Dry thoroughly.
  
  
• Do not put food back into the freezer until you have wiped off any condensation that develops and the freezer has been running for at least 1/2 hour. Wipe the interior of the refrigerator to prevent puddles from remaining in the bottom when you replace the bins.
  
  
• Vacuum the dust behind the bottom grille of your refrigerator at least once every six months.
  

  Vacuum the bottom grille of your refrigerator regularly.

• Control refrigerator odors with a box of baking soda placed at the back of a shelf. Replace the box every other month. Also, place a box in the freezer if odors are a problem there.
  
  
• Wipe the inside of your refrigerator with a sponge soaked in vanilla extract to deodorize it.
  
  
• Commercial kitchen cleaners will remove smudges and dirt and leave a protective wax coating on the exterior of the refrigerator, but baking soda will also clean and shine your refrigerator. Rub the exterior with a cloth dipped in baking soda, rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth.

As you've seen, cleaning large appliances doesn't have to be a large undertaking. The secret is to clean regularly -- then the dirt and grime won't seem so overwhelming.