Refridgerators before and after

Unfortunately the refrigerator takes a lot of abuse.

Clean up any spills as soon as they happen. That means that you need to remove the drawers and clean under them. This is the location with the most potential for trouble as the stains are likely to stay.

Always store food in covered containers. Open things can easily spill or be pushed to the back and forgotten about until they spill or spoil.

To stop odors, store an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator.

Start by removing everything from the refrigerator. Put the food in a cooler or another refrigerator if you think the project will take you a while.

Turn off the fridge

Remove all of the removable things such as the shelves and drawers.

Use a terry cloth, dish detergent and a bit of scrubbing to wash down everything inside. Try to remove any and all debris that you can. Get into all of the seams, edges and any other hidden areas.Tough stuck on spills may need a plastic, non-abrasive scrubber. Another option, is to lay a warm wet cloth over the spilled area for a few minutes. The spilled area will be softer and easier to wipe away.

Use a clean cloth to wipe down everything a second time. This will insure that there are no germs lurking.

Air dry or use paper towels to dry off the inside of the refrigerator.

Wash down the drawers and shelves thoroughly. Use dish detergent and hot water, rinsing well. Allow them to air dry or dry them with a paper towel.

Reassemble the fridge, turn it back on and load the food back in.
Use a clean cloth with hot water and a mild detergent like dish soap. Work from top to bottom to prevent dripping on surfaces that are already clean. Tough stuck on spills may need a plastic, non-abrasive scrubber. Another option, is to lay a warm wet cloth over the spilled area for a few minutes. The spilled area will be softer and easier to wipe away. Rinse cloths thoroughly and/or use multiple cloths to insure cleanliness. Pay special attention to the bottom crevices and back of the refrigerator where spills tend to migrate. Finally wipe down the interior doors.
Use the same methods listed above to clean out a freezer. The great thing about freezers is that they rarely have spills and need to be scrubbed out much less often. You may need to only check for and remove expired food. If the freezer does require more thorough cleaning, you can use the same methods used in the refrigerator.