Cleaning A Freezer

How To Clean A Freezer

Source: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-freezer/

Depending on use, freezers should be thoroughly cleaned a couple times of year. Spring (April) and fall (October) is a good plan since the freezer will be cleaned and organized right before the holidays, and then again during spring cleaning.

First:

• Throw out all old or undated food items that you aren’t sure about.
• If you have the freezer’s manufacture booklet or manual on hand, review instructions on cleaning.

The best time to clean a chest freezer (or deepfreeze) is when food stocks are low.

How To Clean A Freezer

• Remove all items from the freezer and store in coolers or in the refrigerator to keep from thawing.
• Defrost the freezer. Unplug it, remove any baskets, racks and removable parts. Keep the top lid open and allow the freezer to come to room temperature. If there is ice buildup on the inside walls, allow to melt naturally. You’ll have water on the bottom of the freezer once it’s melted. Remove that first before cleaning.
• Once the freezer is at room temperature, wash the inside well with warm, soapy water (mild dishwashing liquid is fine). Remove all food bits and crumbs. Wash the inside of the freezer lid as well as the seal–make sure to clean each groove/fold in the seal well, it’s a perfect trap for gunk.
• After you’ve thoroughly washed the freezer with soapy water and all food particles have been removed, do a quick rinse wipe with a solution of baking soda and warm water (about 2 TBS of baking soda per quart of warm water) or vinegar and water. This helps remove the soap residue as well as freshens things up. Wipe everything down inside with a clean cloth to dry.
• Pull the freezer out and sweep or vacuum the floor underneath. Also carefully vacuum the back coils if exposed.
• Again using warm soapy water, wash the back and outside of the freezer (not the coils). Dry with a clean cloth. Push the deep freeze back into place, close lid and plug the freezer in to turn it back on.
• Wash all items that you removed earlier, the baskets, racks and removable items in a sink of warm soapy water. Dry well. Place back in the deep freeze.
• Once the deep freeze is cold again, place food items back inside.