Asked on Jan 08, 2016

How can I remove the little extra plastic film from under the fridge

Bananas!
by Bananas!

I am wondering if anyone has a solution for removing that extra little ruffle of plastic film that remains once you pull off the protective plastic film from new appliances? ex: under fridge door; without removing the outer piece of door cover moulding? I know it's a small thing, but having just tackled and won the battle of the gluey door, I'm on a roll (I hope).


Signed: the happy homemaker



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  31 answers
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Jan 08, 2016
    Oh Bananas! You could try to gently run an exact knife blade in there and inch by inch gently pull at the plastic until it is removed
  • Pam Pam on Jan 08, 2016
    I agree with Barbara S. Make sure you use a new blade, slow and easy so you don't scratch the stainless or pierce any rubber trim.
  • Cindi Cindi on Jan 09, 2016
    That's the only way I know too. I usually use a utility knife, but an exacto knife would probably work better. Just cut and pull, it's a pain, but worth it (I can't stand those things either).
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Jan 09, 2016
    Thanks girls! I've tried that, but it is time consuming, I thought maybe someone had some magic idea like ammonia to get the glue off after taking the protective film off......hehehehe. I'll wait and see if someone has a brilliant idea and barring that, I'll get to work with my trusty exacto knife~!
  • Patti Nicholas Patti Nicholas on Jan 09, 2016
    Yup a super sharp razor knife, with a super steady hand and lots of patience.
  • Darlene Darlene on Jan 09, 2016
    Try using GooGone, we use that on lots of area where we need that glue residue off.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jan 09, 2016
    Go back to the store and ask them. They face this issue every day when they put things on display.
  • John John on Jan 09, 2016
    I just ignore mine but have you tried using a hair dryer to heat up the plastic and glue? Use a pair of pliers or some other flat gripper to slightly an easily pull the plastic. If it loses the glue, it may work. If the plastic cover is pinched between the outer cover and a part of the refrain, it will not pull out. The cutting method is best.
    • Marie Marie on Jul 03, 2018

      Worked great! It took a little time but I knew it would. After I got all of that plastic off, I wiped it down with a little bit of regular furniture polish. It made my 3 year old fridge like new again. Your method seemed more plausible than using chemicals. Thanks John!

  • Linda Chisholm Linda Chisholm on Jan 09, 2016
    Try Spray Nine OR lighter fluid.
  • Susie Susie on Jan 11, 2016
    Eyebrow tweezers?
  • Rey Rey on Apr 13, 2017

    The best way !!! Is the blower warm low...this method I used before to remove the plastic...good luck!

  • Julie Julie on Apr 16, 2017

    Hi there try Eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil.Soak well then wipe of .R u talking about gooey residue left behind after removing tacky plastic? To lift film off first try sticky tape or electrical tape on the corner point stick it on angle over lapping corner. Stick till well stuck slowly pull back to lift from the corner.It may take a few goes depending how stuck the film is.If u have nails u might b able to peel back slightly first to get tape to grab.Good Luck kind regards Julie.

  • Bananas! Bananas! on Aug 23, 2017

    Ha ha......nope those other ladies have it right, there's no quick way....get an exacto knife and giv it a go!


  • Subow99 Subow99 on Sep 01, 2017

    I just received a new Whirlpool refrigerator and I have small bits of plastic film around the edges of the doors. I did an online chat with Whirlpool and was told to rub it with microfiber cloth dipped in warm soapy water (use liquid dish detergent) and to do this several times. I told the rep I didn't think this would work

    but decided to try it. I also have been heating the wet cloth in the microwave - I think the heat really helps. It takes several times - and a lot of patience but I think this will do the trick. Better than risking scratching my new refrigerator doors!

  • Bananas! Bananas! on Sep 01, 2017

    Try ammonia. It took 30 seconds!!

  • Tracey Turner Hugo Tracey Turner Hugo on Feb 06, 2018

    Ammonia did not work to take the little plastic pieces that are caught between the plastic trim and the stainless steel. Rather irritating to spend this kind of money on an appliance and have little plastic edges all over. Going to try to the straight edge method but was really trying to avoid that because I am concerned that I'll scratch it. Also, the plastic is really tight so I am unable to open it up even a little bit.


  • Jeremy Robinson Jeremy Robinson on Feb 07, 2018

    Use a single edge razor blade or X-acto knife at a 45 degree angle into the appliance, then pull the film free.

  • Yetta Adams Yetta Adams on Feb 08, 2018

    i just received my frig with this problem. Toothpicks worked great without having to worry about scratches.


  • Ty Oneon Ty Oneon on Feb 15, 2018

    The toothpicks are the answer, and the razor blade and needle nosed pliers as well.

  • John Garcia John Garcia on Mar 27, 2018

    toothpicks, for sure. Just removed from my new Whirlpool! Thanks!

  • Bananas! Bananas! on Mar 28, 2018

    Wondering how long it took you to remove all that plastic with toothpicks? an hour? two? just curious. You'd think the manufacturers could think ahead and make removable plastic ALL removable. Since these aren't cheap and I agree with Tracy Turner Hugo, don't want to risk scratching them. Nor spend all day fiddling with toothpicks!

    • Jenn Richardson Jenn Richardson on Mar 27, 2021

      I saw the toothpick solution, ran over to my freezer, starting going in with extreme success, and ran back over to my phone to express said satisfaction. Try it!!!

  • Christine Andrus Christine Andrus on May 12, 2018

    A lighter will melt it away quickly any plastic left wil become hard and you can rub it away

    I used a long bbq lighter .

    Don't say in one are to long

    Mind the rubber or platic handles best to keep the door closed.

    Fyi don't use chemicals that could be flammable .

    Vasoline eats away plastic as well overnight

    Don't use flame on any thing other then stainless steel.

    Wear oven mits to protect your hands from the hot plastic





  • Christine Andrus Christine Andrus on May 12, 2018

    Don't stay in one area to long with the flame

    Correcting prior comment

  • Alex Alex on Jul 16, 2018

    It’s such a small thing but they take a very satisfying experience (pulling plastic off) and turn it into a major headache. Seems pretty stupid to make the consumers first experience with their product a negative one.


  • Angela Lozito Rogers Angela Lozito Rogers on Mar 11, 2019

    Thanks all. I will try the toothpick method first.not sure I want to attempt blade.. will let y’all know tomorrow

  • Maynard Maynard on Mar 11, 2019

    single edged razor blade, or x-acto knife. Slice in the groove.

  • Nancy Morris Nancy Morris on May 28, 2019

    I used Olive oil and finally got all those bits of plastic out of my refrigerator door.

  • D Kirkland D Kirkland on Mar 09, 2020

    The NOTCHED edge of this worked better than anything else for me, as it kinda pried the plastic out as it cut it. I still had to be careful not to scratch the fridge, however.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2021

    it should of being removed when you purchase

  • Patti Patti on Feb 05, 2024

    Toothpicks worked like a charm! Thumbnail finished the job!

  • Deb K Deb K on Feb 06, 2024

    Hello, you could use a razor knife to tri m it, or get a grip on it with needle nosed pliers ☺️