cleaning moldy refrigerator

ParrotLover2001 · Jul 23, 2020

we use to buy so much stuff that it had to be placed in my refrigerator (in the basement/inlaw apartment) when we thought the fridge broke back in November 2018 (just blew a fuse) it took so long to fix that everything in fridge and freezer molded. I have been reluctant to clean it, but keeping my food in the main fridge and freezers means my siblings eat it, so now I'm going to clean it! Problem is, it's in the bird room. Open the door and all you can smell is the rotten food and mold. I have already found mold elsewhere in that room and lost 1 bird already (long story short, suspended cell service, emailed vet clinic, didn't hear back quick enough) Because of obvious reasons I will be moving my birds out of the room for a couple days while I clean the fridge, maybe longer depending on how long it takes to clean and for the smell to leave (and a couple extra days just to be on the safe side)
That means I have to keep the dogs and cats out of a room for a few days while my birds are in there.
I will keep my windows open, that might help. I can open my door but I don't have a screen on that so things might get in, but if it helps get the smell out then I'm all for it.

It has been a while since I posted here, so I will post updates on my birds soon, probably while I'm taking a break from cleaning a disgusting refrigerator.

noodles123 · Jul 23, 2020

ParrotLover2001 said:
we use to buy so much stuff that it had to be placed in my refrigerator (in the basement/inlaw apartment) when we thought the fridge broke back in November 2018 (just blew a fuse) it took so long to fix that everything in fridge and freezer molded. I have been reluctant to clean it, but keeping my food in the main fridge and freezers means my siblings eat it, so now I'm going to clean it! Problem is, it's in the bird room. Open the door and all you can smell is the rotten food and mold. I have already found mold elsewhere in that room and lost 1 bird already (long story short, suspended cell service, emailed vet clinic, didn't hear back quick enough) Because of obvious reasons I will be moving my birds out of the room for a couple days while I clean the fridge, maybe longer depending on how long it takes to clean and for the smell to leave (and a couple extra days just to be on the safe side)
That means I have to keep the dogs and cats out of a room for a few days while my birds are in there.
I will keep my windows open, that might help. I can open my door but I don't have a screen on that so things might get in, but if it helps get the smell out then I'm all for it.

It has been a while since I posted here, so I will post updates on my birds soon, probably while I'm taking a break from cleaning a disgusting refrigerator.

Just be careful- if using harsh chemicals etc, it may not be safe even if you move them out of the room (depending on how large your house is)

Scott · Jul 23, 2020

I generally clean the refrigerator with slightly diluted vinegar. May not be strong enough for tons of mold, especially if in nooks and crannies. Is it possible to take the refrigerator outside to use something stronger? Would have to leave it out for at least a day allowing harsh odors to dissipate. You also want it to be safe for human food storage.

fiddlejen · Jul 23, 2020

Yes, my thought also. Can you move the fridge out and away from that room to clean it?

ALSO. Usually works for mold: BAKING SODA. Not some wimpy solution of baking soda. (Use some good kitchen gloves to protect your skin.) Basically -- after you've gotten any actual old-food etc out of there -- you want to make a Paste of the baking soda and water and use that as a scrub. Scrub out the whole thing with the baking soda. Do NOT MIX it with vinegar because baking soda and vinegar Together will Neutralize Each Other. You can wash with vinegar after. Or, just rinse out the baking soda with water. (Vinegar might rinse away the baking soda more quickly - then you can clear away the vinegar smell with a plain water rinse.) You CAN add dish liquid to the baking soda, if needed, and it will still work just fine.

Bleach probably kills mold best -- but you do Not want to have any bleach smell lingering around that fridge when you're done. Baking Soda leaves NO FUMES No Odor (that's what it's known for!). It will be a little extra work but probably worth it.

ParrotLover2001 · Jul 23, 2020

I might be able to take it outside if I can someone to help me move it, it would have to sit in the backyard though. I was planning on using apple cider vinegar to clean it, since that's what I used to clean mold previously, but if I can use stronger chemicals by moving it outside then I might give it a try. Or the baking soda, I don't mind a little extra work.

noodles123 · Jul 23, 2020

Just be careful with the spores too-- if it's inside, you don't want them flying around and getting into the HVAC etc

cleaning moldy refrigerator

ParrotLover2001

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Scott

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Scary!..

Happy Birthday richard.murphy!

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