Grease and dirt can easily show on the exterior of your fridge, which is why you want to know how to clean fridge outside? Traditionally, fridges come in cream, eggshell, or white colors.
But now we have fridges made of stainless steel. Either way, it can be dreadful to keep it clean.
You have to take note that it is important to clean the exterior of the refrigerator regularly so that it will avoid rust spots and wearing on it outside.
With that in mind, we have here what you need to know to keep your fridge clean.
What Cleaning Product To Use?
When it comes to cleaning the fridge interior, you can use a lot of cleaning products. However, any clean product intended for general purposes is good. Plus, it is essential to have a spray bottle.
Perhaps, your refrigerator is made of stainless steel; ensure to read its cautions first before purchasing a cleaner. Doing so will prevent any damages to its finish.
But you can also clean your fridge with the things you can find in your kitchen. For instance, you may mix water and vinegar inside your spray bottle.
Some people would also use a mixture of water and dish soap for this. Baking soda mixed with vinegar can also be used when the game becomes horrifying with fur, paw prints, and grime clinging to your fridge.
So, how to clean fridge outside?
Cleaning Cloths
For cleaning fridges, it is recommended to use microfiber cloths. This is especially true if you have a stainless steel unit. If this cloth is not available, you can also use a worn t-shirt or soft sponge.
If your fridge only has some grime and dust, then it would be great to use sponges. However, if it contains heavy dust and fur, it would be tough to clean it using a sponge only.
Try using those sponges made for your stainless steel kitchenware instead. Avoid using an abrasive sponge because it can damage its surface.
Some people would also use some paper towels. But remember that this means additional waste. As such, consider a recyclable one. When wiping down your fridge, always start from the top towards the bottom.
Types of Fridges
Now let us get into details on how you should clean a fridge depending on its type. It will include the things that you may or may not use while cleaning to avoid any damages.
Type #1. Stain steel fridge
If your fridge is not that dirty, using a dry and clean microfiber cloth will do. You need to rub it on the fridge exterior. You must not put too much pressure as you are scrubbing to avoid marring the surface.
If there are stubborn spots, mix water and vinegar mixture or use some LCD cleaner that is formulated for computer and television displays. Simply wipe following the grain direction on the fridge. The crisscross method should be avoided since it might leave streaks.
The following are the products that you can use with your stainless steel fridge.
- Nylon scrubbing, soft t-shirt, and microfiber cloth
- Olive oil
- Non-abrasive cleaners
- Water and vinegar solution
- Dish soap and water mixture, or baking soda and dishwashing liquid to deal with stubborn spots
If you are not sure whether or not the cleaner will damage your fridge finish, you can try using it first onto the back or bottom portion. After cleaning the fridge, get a new cloth and dampen it with water to rinse off the baking soda or soap from outside the fridge.
Type #2. Enamel fridge
For fridges with enamel exteriors, you can use the following cleaning products:
- Water and white vinegar solution
- Cleaning solutions for general purposes
- Water and dishwashing liquid solution
- Rubbing alcohol
- Baking soda and dishwashing liquid mixture
Start from the top of the fridge when spritzing the cleaner. If the dirt and grease are already hefty, coat it well with the cleaner and allow it to sit first so that that the dirt and grease can loosen up.
Get your sponge or moist cloth and start wiping it gently. But for greasy or soiled spots, you can scrub it while putting pressure onto the cloth as you do so. In removing any cleaner left, you can use a damp cloth to wipe it again. Then, buff the fridge outside with a dry cloth or towel.
Precautions
In this section, we will provide you with the general precautions applicable to any kind of fridge. Regardless of having stainless steel or enamel fridge, you should not use the following:
- Ammonia
- Alcohol
- Abrasive cleaners
- Flammable liquids
- Oven cleaner
- Nail polish removers
- Abrasive scrubber or stain steel pad like steel wool
You should also check the manual provided by the manufacturers to look for tips on how to clean the fridge outside. Many stainless steel models have a clear coating that various cleaning products can easily damage.
It’s A Wrap!
Now that you know how to clean fridge outside, you should schedule doing it at least once a week. At the same time, you can clean its interior once a month. You can clean the grilled and coils two times per year.