The truck is packed and the house is empty. You’re excited to settle into your new home and get to know your new neighborhood. Before you can turn in your keys though, you’ve got to finish one last task: cleaning the refrigerator and freezer.
If you’re selling your home, the next buyers will expect a clean refrigerator/freezer when they move in. If you’re renting, leaving it spotless may be part of your lease agreement. No matter what, figuring out how exactly to clean this important appliance can be tough.
In this blog, we’ll share our top tips for how to clean your refrigerator before moving, and what to consider if you plan to store the appliance.
Let’s dive in.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator Before Moving
Follow these tips to clean your fridge before you move:
Remove all items
First things first, remove everything from the refrigerator and freezer. This includes condiments and ice trays. Sort through all food items to discard anything that’s past its sell-by date, or that you won’t consume in your new house. Be advised that you can’t donate opened condiments and other food items, so you’ll need to throw them away if you won’t eat them.
Defrost the freezer
Next, unplug the appliance and leave both the refrigerator and freezer doors open so it can defrost. Be sure to put some towels inside of and around the unit to catch any drips that may occur. Give the freezer at least 24 hours to defrost fully.
Deconstruct the refrigerator
Next, take out shelving, drawers, and other removable parts of the refrigerator. Set them on the counter to allow them to come to room temperature (if you use hot water on cold glass it will break), and then use hot, soapy water to scrub them. Dry all removable pieces with a clean towel and set them on the counter again.
Wipe the inside of the unit
Next, use hot soapy water and a clean rag to wipe the inside of the refrigerator. Wipe all cleaned areas with a towel soaked in clean water to rinse off any soap residue. Dry all areas with a clean towel.
Next, the CDC recommends mixing one tablespoon of liquid bleach into a gallon of hot water. Using a clean, dry rag, wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with this solution. Don’t forget to wipe the inside of all doors, drawers, and other elements that cannot be removed.
Put the refrigerator back together
Put the shelves, drawers, and other removable parts back into the refrigerator. Close the door and leave the unit unplugged. If you plan to store the appliance, do a once-over to ensure everything you’ve cleaned is completely dry and leave the doors slightly ajar. If you close the refrigerator up with even a little moisture inside it, it could mold in storage.
Gallo Moving and Storage is Here for Your Fresh Start
Cleaning the refrigerator is just one step to enjoying your new life in your new home. If you need a helping hand in the process, Gallo is here for you.
How to Clean Fridge Before Moving
The truck is packed and the house is empty. You’re excited to settle into your new home and get to know your new neighborhood. Before you can turn in your keys though, you’ve got to finish one last task: cleaning the refrigerator and freezer.
If you’re selling your home, the next buyers will expect a clean refrigerator/freezer when they move in. If you’re renting, leaving it spotless may be part of your lease agreement. No matter what, figuring out how exactly to clean this important appliance can be tough.
In this blog, we’ll share our top tips for how to clean your refrigerator before moving, and what to consider if you plan to store the appliance.
Let’s dive in.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator Before Moving
Follow these tips to clean your fridge before you move:
Remove all items
First things first, remove everything from the refrigerator and freezer. This includes condiments and ice trays. Sort through all food items to discard anything that’s past its sell-by date, or that you won’t consume in your new house. Be advised that you can’t donate opened condiments and other food items, so you’ll need to throw them away if you won’t eat them.
Defrost the freezer
Next, unplug the appliance and leave both the refrigerator and freezer doors open so it can defrost. Be sure to put some towels inside of and around the unit to catch any drips that may occur. Give the freezer at least 24 hours to defrost fully.
Deconstruct the refrigerator
Next, take out shelving, drawers, and other removable parts of the refrigerator. Set them on the counter to allow them to come to room temperature (if you use hot water on cold glass it will break), and then use hot, soapy water to scrub them. Dry all removable pieces with a clean towel and set them on the counter again.
Wipe the inside of the unit
Next, use hot soapy water and a clean rag to wipe the inside of the refrigerator. Wipe all cleaned areas with a towel soaked in clean water to rinse off any soap residue. Dry all areas with a clean towel.
Next, the CDC recommends mixing one tablespoon of liquid bleach into a gallon of hot water. Using a clean, dry rag, wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with this solution. Don’t forget to wipe the inside of all doors, drawers, and other elements that cannot be removed.
Put the refrigerator back together
Put the shelves, drawers, and other removable parts back into the refrigerator. Close the door and leave the unit unplugged. If you plan to store the appliance, do a once-over to ensure everything you’ve cleaned is completely dry and leave the doors slightly ajar. If you close the refrigerator up with even a little moisture inside it, it could mold in storage.
Gallo Moving and Storage is Here for Your Fresh Start
Cleaning the refrigerator is just one step to enjoying your new life in your new home. If you need a helping hand in the process, Gallo is here for you.
Our team of moving experts offers local- and long-distance moving services for customers just like you. To learn more about what we do and how we can help you, contact us to speak to our team or request your free moving quote.