How to Clean a Commercial Reach-In Refrigerator
Cleaning your reach-in refrigerator regularly is a simple task that will help you keep your space better organized and less messy. Learn how to clean a commercial reach-in refrigerator and you’ll be one step closer to a cleaner kitchen.
Supplies to Use
- Warm water and a mild detergent
- Cloths
- Scrub pad
- Brush
Cleaning Procedures
It’s time to clean your fridge. Where do you start? Get a cleaning solution ready whether it be dish soap and water or a stainless steel cleaner, then get a bucket of water for rinsing and follow the steps below.
- Step 1: Turn off the refrigerator - Turning off the refrigerator before cleaning ensures you aren’t wasting electricity when keeping the doors open for long periods of time. It’s also safer to unplug the fridge especially when dusting the coils. Just remember to remove all of the food inside first.
Step 2: Remove the shelves inside - Taking out the inner shelving and other removable fridge components will make it a lot easier to clean your commercial reach-in refrigerator.
Step 3. Wipe down the interior surfaces with warm water and mild detergent - Once you have a mild detergent and water set aside, you can start the cleaning process by wiping down the inside of the refrigerator with a cloth and the detergent.
Step 4. Scrub any stuck-on stains or liquid with a scrub pad - If there are sticky or hardened messes stuck on the interior of the fridge, you can use a scrub brush to get them loose.
Step 5. Wipe down the gasket carefully with a damp cloth - Using your mild detergent, wipe down the gasket being careful not to press too forcefully.
Step 6. Clean the exterior surfaces with warm water and mild detergent - Wipe down the exterior of the refrigerator with a stainless steel cleaner to rid it of fingerprints, food spills and more. Dry with a microfiber cloth.
Step 7. Clean the shelves with warm water and mild detergent - For this step, you can use your mild detergent or a mixture of water and dish soap. Clean the shelves in the sink or a basin, then thoroughly rinse to ensure there’s no soap left. Also note that you should wait for the shelving to reach room temperature before cleaning in warm water. Transferring the cold shelves to warm water quickly could crack the glass.
Additional Cleaning Hacks
- If something spills, wipe it up as soon as it happens so it doesn’t stain or get sticky.
- When placing condiment bottles or jams back into the fridge, make sure there isn’t anything dripping on the sides. This can help you avoid a hard-to-clean mess.
- If you’re thawing something for dinner, put it in a baking sheet or rimmed plate to avoid spilling.
- Using toothpaste for tough spots can be a life saver. It’s a bit more abrasive than liquid soap.
- You can soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract and place it in the fridge for a few hours. This will leave a pleasant scent behind.
For more commercial reach-in refrigerator cleaning instructions, check out our manuals online.