Refrigerator cleaning mistakes such as bleach or harsh sprays on the gasket, abrasive cleansers on the liner and hot water on a cold glass shelf damage the parts that keep the cold in. Warm water with mild dish soap, baking soda for odors, and a little patience with cold glass are all the inside of a fridge needs.
Mistakes at a glance
| Habit | What it leads to | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Wiping the gasket with bleach | A gasket that can dry, stiffen or stop sealing | Use mild soap and warm water on gaskets |
| Using window sprays, solvents or cleaning waxes inside | Damage to plastic parts, liners and gaskets | Stick to mild dish soap and water |
| Scrubbing the liner with scouring powder or a rough pad | Scratches that trap grime and dull the surface | Use a soft cloth or a non-scratch sponge |
| Running a cold glass shelf under hot water | A shelf that can crack or break from the temperature change | Let glass shelves reach room temperature first |
| Loading bins and shelves into the dishwasher | Parts the manufacturer says not to wash that way | Wash them by hand |
| Leaving crumbs in the gasket folds and the gasket wet | A seal that doesn't sit flat | Lift the folds, wipe them out, then dry fully |
| Using strong scented cleaners to fight odors | Fumes that food can pick up | Use baking soda dissolved in warm water |
The ones that matter most
Bleach and harsh products on gaskets and liners
The gasket and the plastic liner are the parts most easily damaged by strong chemicals. Whirlpool says not to use abrasive or harsh cleaners such as window sprays, scouring cleansers, flammable fluids, cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents, bleaches or cleansers containing petroleum products on plastic parts, interior and door liners, or gaskets. GE Appliances says not to use bleach or anything other than a mild detergent such as dish soap on the gaskets. A gasket that hardens or cracks stops sealing, which brings in warm air and moisture.
Scrubbing with abrasives
Scouring powder and rough pads leave fine scratches on the liner and shelves. Whirlpool recommends soft microfiber cloths or non-scratch sponges. For odors, both brands suggest baking soda in warm water; GE's ratio is one to two tablespoons per quart.
Hot water on cold glass
A glass shelf straight out of the fridge is cold all the way through. GE warns against taking glass from the refrigerator and putting it under hot water, because the extreme temperature change may cause it to break. Whirlpool says to let shelves warm to room temperature before washing them.
Putting fridge parts in the dishwasher
It's tempting to load crisper drawers and shelves into the dishwasher. GE lists placing plastic parts or glass shelves in the dishwasher among its "Do Not" steps and says to wash them by hand with the same mild solution. After cleaning the gasket, GE suggests a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the hinge side to keep it pliable. Door habits that strain the same gasket are covered in refrigerator door habits that hurt the seal and hinges.
Signs it's already caused a problem
- A gasket that feels hard, sticky, cracked or doesn't spring back
- Frost or condensation along one edge of the door
- Cloudy, scratched or stained liner walls
- A cracked glass shelf, or a crack spreading from a corner
- Warped or cracked crisper drawers
- Food tasting of cleaning products
A damaged gasket or cracked shelf usually needs a replacement part, which a refrigerator repair visit can cover. Whirlpool owners can also start from the Whirlpool page.
Sources
- Whirlpool: Cleaning the Interior of the Refrigerator
- GE Appliances: Refrigerator, How to Clean the Interior
Habit to keep: Clean inside the fridge with warm water and mild dish soap, and let cold glass warm up first.
If a gasket or shelf has already been damaged, call ProFix San Antonio at (210) 761-6006 about a replacement.