Cleaning an Old Fridge to Sell or Donate.
4 Materials
$1
2 Hours
Easy
I bought a new fridge, the fridge of my dreams. One of those stainless, French door, freezer on the bottom with that funky looking drawer in between. My old fridge worked fine but I really wanted this other one. It's kind of funny how much a shiny new appliance makes you feel better about your whole kitchen. My oldest said he loves to stand in the kitchen looking at it. I said yeah it's like playing the Sims when you put something new in the house and the whole family gathers and claps and jumps up and down.
So, I'd had the old one for 12 years. It still dispensed ice and water no problem. I decided instead of paying $15 to have it hauled off to where ever Lowe's hauls off old appliances, I'd keep it and clean it up and try to sell it, if it didn't sell I'd call up my favorite charity that helps the homeless and see if they wanted to pick it up for their thrift store. But first, it needed to be cleaned. It was after all 12 years old. I know this because I looked at the date of manufacture inside. This fridge has been through a lot, I have cleaned it ,usually once a year, but I could never get that plastic white grill at the bottom clean it always looked grungy. I set my brain to work...
The stuff needed to clean it up. Baking soda, a mild abrasive, it won't scratch the finish on the body of the fridge and it removes most stains. The dark packets are laundry pods. Kirkland brand from Costco to be more specific. A micro fiber cloth, gets rid of the residue from the baking soda that remains even though you rinsed it 400 times. (Slight exaggeration 
) and rubbing alcohol, this shines up the body of the fridge.
) and rubbing alcohol, this shines up the body of the fridge.
Hiding in the back there is the bottom grill, I added in the 2 clear drawer bins, and later I added in all the shelves and door bins too. I used 1 of the laundry pods and let it soak for a good hour or two. I then took a scrub brush to it and it didn't take too much scrubbing before it was beautiful white again.
Before and after of the grill. Man that was nasty. But look at the beautiful after shot just wow! I think my problem with trying to clean it in the past is it is a textured plastic. No matter how much I scrubbed it just never looked clean. Dishwasher pods may have cleaned it just as well but I don't use those. I am new to the whole pod thing so I just used what I had.
This was the freezer door. I think the ink is from frozen baggies of veggies. It easily washed off with the baking soda and one of those blue scotch brite scrubby sponges. Again gleaming white.
The water dispenser. I had cleaned the catcher at the bottom a few days ago so that splash at the bottom and side was from someone adding ice after pouring a root beer.
This is bottom of the fridge door. I have no clue what the stains are. This is where the large things like lemon juice and almond milk were kept. It took a bit of scrubbing to get it off, baking soda and the blue sponge made it pretty again.
The outside of the freezer wall. This mark was made by sliding the step stool in and out from between the freezer and the cabinet. It came off with out too much scrubbing with the baking soda and blue scrubby sponge.
Rinsing was done with a bucket of clean water and a rag I rinsed each area 3 times, then let it dry. After letting it dry I can see a haze left behind by the baking soda. I don't know why it doesn't rinse clean unless it is something you can hold under running water... not practical with a refrigerator... I took the blue cloth and just gave it a rub like polishing all over. After that I sprayed rubbing alcohol in each area and wiped that dry.
The outside all spiffy
Freezer side.
Fridge side. I even wiped the light bulbs with the baking soda.
Clean door with the bins all installed.
My nosy little helpers. I had stopped cleaning for a few minutes to drain and add new milk to my Kefir, and while I was standing there just to my left my little Tigger decided to play in the baking soda bowl. He had a good old time digging in that bowl. I can totally understand how people's kids can do stuff like smear the Desitin all over the TV or spread a bag of flour all over the room. Silent little buggers they are. My kids never did anything like this. Kitty is lucky he's cute and it wasn't difficult to sweep up.
Lastly I added some charcoal briquettes in a dish to help absorb odors and moisture. I don't know why but a used fridge smells funny. If you need to store a fridge it is best to remove the doors, if you can't then wedge something in the door to prevent it from completely closing. No matter how dry you think a fridge is there is still moisture in there and it will get moldy and that is a real pain to get clean.
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5 comments
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Looks good! Great job. Like the tod bit with the pods!
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It was the only thing I could think of that could possibly clean that grossness. I was going to mention your hassle with your fridge when you stored it but your brother here gets mad when I mention him so I left you out of it LOL. Wendy at Hometalk was asking me if I knew anyone who would want to do tutorials and you are the only one I know but being busy with work I didn't now if you'd have the time. but your projects are huge and fantastic so you should think about it.
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Wow, looks good as new!
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I love that! Good for you :)
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Any idea how to get the rubber door seal clean?