The Dirtiest Part of Your Fridge (and How to Clean It)
Keeping your refrigerator clean is easy if there are obvious spills, leftover food, or expired food on the shelves and drawers.
But the inside of your refrigerator isn’t really the most troublesome part – it’s probably the drip tray that’s tucked under your refrigerator where it collects condensate from the defrost drain. If the water doesn’t evaporate as quickly as it collects, it can overflow and damage your refrigerator or the floor underneath, as well as allow mold or bacteria to grow.
A small amount of standing water in the pan is normal, but if it fills up and needs to be emptied frequently, your refrigerator may be malfunctioning. Here’s how to clean the refrigerator tray.
How to find the refrigerator tray
Each refrigerator is slightly different, so check the manual if you still have it. If not, you usually access the tray through a panel on the bottom of the refrigerator. Often the panel is on the front, but if not, move the refrigerator away from the wall and remove it from the back.
Turn off the water and unplug the appliance before pulling anything out to avoid leaks or electrical problems.
If the sump is not visible, locate the drain line and drain hole. Be careful when pulling out the drip tray so as not to spill the collected water.
How to clean the pallet
If there is water in the pan, pour it into the sink. Warm water and dish soap is one option, but if you want something stronger, or if there is mold or smell, mix a solution of one part bleach or vinegar with two parts water and, wearing gloves, pour into a saucepan . Let it soak in, then rub the surface and rinse. Let the pan dry before placing it under the refrigerator.
If your drip tray cannot be removed, you can use an antibacterial wipe or damp cloth to wipe it down.
If this is a mold problem, you can also leave a small amount of bleach or vinegar solution (equal to part water) in the pan when you put it back under the drain.