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Post by chronic on Jul 1, 2011 22:29:50 GMT -5
As I posted in another thread, I like to attack nasty stuff with scalding hot water. It's cheap and will "melt" away the nastiest, stuck on gunk. However, I have a fridge that has REAL glass shelves. DUMBEST idea ever, Kenmore!!! (not my choice, fridge came with the house!) I didn't actually realize they were real glass until I removed one to clean it. I took it from the cold fridge to the bathtub as it had various gross spills and stuck on rotten food. Ick. I assumed it was plastic or plexiglass. Found out the hard way when I proceeded to turn on the hot water in the tub, and the COLD glass shattered into hundreds of thousands of tiny pieces right there in the tub!!  And you can imagine what fun THAT was to clean up. SO obviously hot water isn't going to help me (on the remaining shelves)... I'd love ideas on how to successfully clean them, preferably without taking them out of the fridge. I am afraid of them now! But there is always stuck on grossness to be dealt with. The fridge is always chaotic with that missing shelf. It's been "replaced" with various wire baskets but it always ends up being a big mess and you can't find anything. I have decided, if we get the house clean and KEEP it in maintenance for six months, we are getting another fridge as a reward! |
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Post by dtesposito on Jul 1, 2011 22:43:27 GMT -5
I would take them out if possible, it'll be much harder to get them clean if they're still in fridge. Try a paste of warm water and cleanser (or a liquid cleanser) and let it soak for a while, then scrub off the softened gunk. Once it's perfectly clear of any dirt, pour on a solution of bleach and water and let that sit for a while.
Diane
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Post by toomanyideas on Jul 1, 2011 23:19:08 GMT -5
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Jul 2, 2011 0:54:51 GMT -5
A wet, soapy towel laid on the shelf will loosen the gunk.
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Post by fluffychild on Jul 2, 2011 7:56:58 GMT -5
I would spray vinager on the shelf and wipe it. I use the spray on a lot of things for cleaning. It is a safe liquid to use.
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Post by momofgirls on Jul 2, 2011 7:58:25 GMT -5
Or even a towel soaked in ammonia - though I'd remove the shelf and laying it on the floor for that
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Post by toomanyideas on Jul 2, 2011 9:33:40 GMT -5
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Post by einsteinsdesk on Jul 2, 2011 10:31:50 GMT -5
You can still use hot water, but you *absolutely* have to let the shelf warm up gradually. You can't clean them if they are still cold from the fridge. If you are cleaning them in the bathtub, then start with cold water and increase the temperature very slowly. Or you can take your shelves out and let them come to room temp before cleaning.
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Post by harleyquinn on Jul 2, 2011 11:17:49 GMT -5
My fridge has glass shelves, too. I take them out and wash them in lukewarm water with some Ivory dishwashing soap added to it. I use one of these cheapie scrubbers from the grocery store-- www.featurepics.com/online/Green-Scrubber-873198.aspxThe shelves are easy to clean this way, but I have to be careful not to drop them when I dry them off. I usually have a 70 lb. doggie helping with this (he thinks the fridge is "his"), lawl. I needed to replace a missing shelf one time in another fridge so got one cut at a local glass place and got the edges smoothed off. It was very cheap and worked perfectly. The trick is just be careful when you measure the glass--needs to be accurate-- and be careful putting it in the car and taking it into the house. |
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Post by dayeanu on Jul 2, 2011 11:36:26 GMT -5
My fridge has glass shelves, too. I take them out and wash them in lukewarm water with some Ivory dishwashing soap added to it. I use one of these cheapie scrubbers from the grocery store-- www.featurepics.com/online/Green-Scrubber-873198.aspxThe shelves are easy to clean this way, but I have to be careful not to drop them when I dry them off. I usually have a 70 lb. doggie helping with this (he thinks the fridge is "his"), lawl. I needed to replace a missing shelf one time in another fridge so got one cut at a local glass place and got the edges smoothed off. It was very cheap and worked perfectly. The trick is just be careful when you measure the glass--needs to be accurate-- and be careful putting it in the car and taking it into the house. And shouldn't it be safety glass, or tempered glass or something, and not just regular glass? |
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Post by dayeanu on Jul 2, 2011 11:39:28 GMT -5
Or, you could replace the shelf with plexiglass
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Post by harleyquinn on Jul 2, 2011 11:55:32 GMT -5
dayeanu--you're right, they use tempered glass for refrigerator shelves. The glass place will know--just tell them what you need it for. I don't think I bothered because nothing was going to be put directly on the glass. It covered a veggie drawer and there was a regular shelf a few inches above that. Plexiglass is more expensive but won't break unless you're really hard on it.
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Jul 2, 2011 13:44:10 GMT -5
As i've read here on SOOS, the best way to dissolve fridge "pudding' is with hot water. Take a regular terry cloth wash cloth, dunk it in water to get it sopping,place in a pyrex dish, squirt on any dishwashing liquid-Dove,Ivory,Joy,Dawn,dollar store stuff,etc. Then place in your microwave and put it in a glass pan, nuke it for a minute or two, using tongs lift it up and place it over the gunky fridge. lLet it sit a couple of minutes, more or less, the gunk will be dissolved and you can wipe it away. I finish with a spray of windex,Cinch, any liquid spray for windows, wipe with a paper towel. I have a ten year old fridge with all glass shelves. Yes, they slide in and out but they are heavy so I don't like removing them to clean. I do remove the three drawers-meat drawer, fruit and vegetable. Never put them in the dishwasher,based on the manufacturers instructions. I just wash them in the sink with my same liquid dish soap.
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Jul 2, 2011 13:47:41 GMT -5
P.S. If you want to replace the broken glass shelf, you may be able to buy one from the manufacturer. I have a Sears Kenmore refridge. They have a toll free number 1 800 4 MY HOME. I have bought several replacement parts from them over the years. But you may be happier (if you have the money) with a brand new refrigerator. Take good care of it.
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Post by chronic on Jul 3, 2011 11:03:23 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone. I think I will try vinegar and other stuff before messing with hot water again. I was traumatized...  . I checked into replacing the shelf before via the manufacturer and other sites that sell Sears fridge parts, and the cost was ridiculous, especially when I know I can (well if I had a truck or someone would deliver) go on craigslist and get a much better replacement FRIDGE for around $150 to $200. Some even come with warranties from the second hand appliance places. I hate our fridge, it is too small for our family, but came with the house so we couldn't really justify (at the time) buying another. I think I'll check into a replacement made of plexiglass though. I know Home Depot will custom cut plexiglass for free; maybe it is as simple as just measuring and having it cut? Seems like that'd be cheap, and would be a solution until we got around to buying a different fridge entirely. We really want one with ice/water on the door, a french door style, but we have put a moratorium on any large purchases for this house UNTIL the house is clean, unless it's an emergency (i.e. something breaks completely). Heck, it would take a day or two of cleaning just to get a fridge in or out of this house! |
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