How To Defrost A Mini Fridge? 4 Easy Steps!

A mini fridge is a perfect appliance to have in your dorm or recreational room, but having this also means that you have to know how to defrost a mini fridge.

You will surely love this appliance for its overall functionality, flexibility, and convenience since it offers enough space for your snacks and beverages.

how to defrost a mini fridge

But owning a fridge involves proper maintenance. This includes cleaning its spills and getting rid of any products as soon as it expires. Doing so will prevent unpleasant odors and bacterial growth.

Before anything else, you need to prepare the things that you will need for defrosting your mini-fridge. Below is the list:

  • Sponge, rags, or cloth
  • Non-abrasive cleaning materials
  • Tray
  • Towels

So, without further ado, let’s start defrosting your mini fridge!

 

Steps To Defrost A Mini Fridge

Now that you have prepared the things needed, you can proceed to the steps to be taken. This guide ensures that the defrosting will be less messy.  So, how to defrost a mini fridge?

 

Step #1. Preparation

Before you start the actual defrosting, you need to do some stuff first. First, of course, you need to take out all the foods inside the fridge. Before the day of defrosting, you can use up your food supplies so you won’t waste them. Also, avoid buying ingredients in the meantime and use what you have in your fridge.

The next thing that you need to do is to unplug the mini-fridge from the power outlet. Although others would press its off button, it is highly suggested that you unplug it to ensure your safety.

Next, you will need your towels. That is because plenty of water will be coming out of the fridge as you defrost it. Lay some towel under its door opening as well as on the floor surrounding it. Doing this will prevent the formation of puddles. Not only that, but you can also prevent damages to your carpeted or hardwood floors.

Better yet, use your old bath towel. Since they are they, they will be able to absorb more water. Take note that it is not good to use paper towels for this.

After that, you must remove the drawers and shelves. Doing this can help in making the process even faster, thereby making the succeeding steps easier. In case your fridge includes a freezer compartment, you need to keep its door open.

 

Step #2. Defrosting

After you completed the prep work, you can now proceed to defrost the fridge. If you want to speed up the process even more, you can remove any excess ice by yourself.

You can use your plastic spatula for this. Simply scrape off any ice that formed on the fridge walls. But be careful in doing this. You wouldn’t want to damage your appliance so do not be aggressive. The key here is plenty of patience.

After that, you may also put a bowl of hot water in your fridge. Its steam will cause the temperature to increase, thereby forcing the frost to melt faster. When doing this, remember to keep its door open.

 

Step #3. Cleaning up

After a couple of hours, your mini-fridge will be free of frost. But the time that it will take will depend on the weather in your place. And now that it has defrosted, you can proceed to clean the drawers and shelves. Again, you can use warm water with soap for this. Then, could you leave it to dry?

Next, you need to wipe down the fridge interior. Dampen a rag in warm soapy water to ensure that bad odors and stains will be removed. It is also ideal to real a baking soda inside your fridge. Put this inside a bowl. This will absorb the unpleasant smells.

 

Step #4. Dry before plugging in

Before you close the fridge door and plug it in the power outlet, ensure it is scorched first. Also, please wait for a couple of hours for the fridge to chill, then you can readily use it again.

 

Helpful Tips

  • Ensure that your mini-fridge is free of dust, especially its compressor, so that it will last longer. Also, leave space from all of its sides to be easier for you to clean it.
  • Defrosting should be done after every three months. Ideally, about 24 hours before you go on a trip or vacation.
  • Placing a baking soda with its box open inside the fridge can help in absorbing the odors.
  • If the mini-fridge is designed with automatic defrost technology, you need not unplug it.
  • Make sure that the fridge is completely dry before you put your food items inside to prevent mold growth. Also, ensure that the compressor is not exposed to the build-up of dust.

 

It’s A Wrap!

Thank you for staying with us until the end. Hopefully, this article about defrosting a mini fridge has been informative and helpful for your appliance maintenance.

Remember that defrosting the fridge a day or two before you go on a long trip will help avoid the mess when you get back. But for bigger fridges, of course, it will require longer defrosting.

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