Tips On Placing Your Refrigerator In Self Storage

If you are planning to keep your refrigerator in self-storage for an extended period of time, you need to take extra precautions to keep it in good working order. Mold, odor and moisture are some of the things you need to keep out of your refrigerator so you don't find it all smelly and moldy when it's time to retrieve it. Read on to learn helpful tips on how to prep your refrigerator for storage.

Clean and defrost

Pre-storage cleaning and defrosting can help ensure that no food debris and moisture that attract foul smells are present in your appliance during storage. A dirty refrigerator is more likely to develop mold, rendering it unusable after you retrieve it from the storage unit. Ants, mice and other pests could also get attracted to the food remnants and infiltrate your appliance, damaging electronic components and chewing through gaskets and other plastic parts. 

Start the cleaning process by unplugging the appliance to allow it to defrost and remove all food items from both compartments. Let the defrost process continue for several days to allow the freezer to be completely dry. You can use a rag to catch dripping water to prevent damage to your floors. 

Next, remove all shelves and drawers and clean them in warm, soapy water to remove any stuck food debris. Avoid using boiling hot water, as it can damage glass and plastic parts. You should also wipe the outside of the refrigerator with a cloth dipped in soapy water and then dust the coils at the back of the appliance using a brush.

Finally, clean the fresh food and freezer compartments using baking soda solution to remove any lingering odors and stubborn food stains. Do not use bleach or other abrasive cleaners, as they can discolor the inside of the fridge. 

Keeping it dry

Once the refrigerator is clean, you need to give it time to dry out before it is put in storage. Remember to store the appliance facing upright, as fluid could flow from the compressor to the condenser with the refrigerator upside down or lying on its side, causing possible damage when you turn it on again.

You should also ensure that the refrigerator's interior remains dry during storage so as not to reverse all the work done during cleaning and find your appliance moldy and smelly later on. Do this by removing the doors on both compartments or putting a wedge on both doors to let in fresh air. 

For more information, contact National Self Storage - Denver or a similar location.


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