topic Re: Preparing a fridge for storage? in Kitchen

Preparing a fridge for storage?

house_cat — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 02:15:02 GMT

My fridge and furniture will be in storage for 3-6 months this summer and into the fall. As I understand it, I need to unplug it at least a day before and make sure it's completely dry. I'm thinking there might be something I can put inside of it to be sure it doesn't mildew.

Does anyone know?

Thank you.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

mspatmac — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 02:33:07 GMT

Open the doors of both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Partially open the top of a baking soda box and place it in the refrigerator. Leave the refrigerator open for a few days, if possible. Thoroughly airing out the interior prevents the formation of mold and mildew over the long term.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

Kachina624 — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 02:41:27 GMT

I always heard you should store a fridge with the doors open.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

CamilleP — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 02:59:25 GMT

You can thoroughly clean the interior surfaces with disinfectant, but even that might not prevent mold if there is no air circulation. What my parents always did when they needed to leave a fridge or freezer unplugged for a while is to prop the door(s) open with a small chunk of wood, then use tape to tape the door(s) so they would not swing open and risk getting the hinges damaged or causing them to sag over time. We used masking tape, I am sure any kind of gentle tape would not damage the appliance's finish.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

Sooner — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 03:02:58 GMT

I would certainly leave it open a few days and disinfect the inside. Alcohol? And let that dry thoroughly as well.

I have heard to open up and make slits in a bag of charcoal. Don't know if that is a myth or not.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

Carmie — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 03:14:31 GMT

I prepare three refrigerators every fall for over the winter. Two are in an RV and one is in a shed.

I clean them out completely and let them throughly dry. I keep the doors open, but if we move the RV, I can't do that, so I put a small block of wood between the doors so they don't close 100% and duck tape the doors closed with the wood block there so that they do not open.

You need to keep them ventilated . I have never had mold or mildew.

You could also put some humidifier material in there and keep the door closed. We buy this at Walmart and use it on our boat. Every spring we used to spend hours cleaning mold from our boat that is placed in storage for the winter. It was an awful job that we hated. Now we buy a bucket or two of this stuff and we have no problems. It really works. You could buy one bucket and seperate the contents into two parcels..one for the freezer section and one for the refrigerator.

if you are storing clothing in tubs, this will work to keep clothing from getting moldy too. They do sell it in smaller amounts for small spaces and closets and there are several brands to choose from. They even make small hanging bags that wouod,work afor a fridge as well.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

house_cat — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 04:32:40 GMT

@Carmie I will look into buying some of that product. The fridge will be stored by our moving company and at some point transported across the country. I don't see keeping the doors open as an option in any way, thought I will take the advice given here and let it air out for several days.

Thanks, everyone for the good suggestions.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

AuntG — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 12:33:04 GMT

Yes, air it out as long as possible. I didn't realize you had a cross country move. It doesn't seem many posters have mentioned moving in this last year. You're our trailblazer!

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

depglass — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:49:53 GMT

I once bought a brand new frig and stove and was suddenly transferred. I took those appliances with me since I didn't have time to sell them. I stored them in a sunroom as it was a furnished apartment. Eventually I sold them off for $100.00 each. Imagine my horror when the people came to pick them up and we opened the frig. Black mold all over. I figured the deal was done, but the woman cheerfully said she knew what to do with that mold and carted them out. Now that we have a summer cottage I always leave the doors open over the winter.

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

sometimesQVCaddict — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 15:04:28 GMT

Waving hand wildly for Damp Rid as pictured!!!! I discovered this product about a year ago (because it was on sale...lol) and I have one hanging in my basement I change out every few months! Who KNEW the moisture down there I never even knew existed!!!! That thing does its job! I'd 100% recommend it for any refrigeration storage! Plus for anyone with a basement! Even finished basements as mine is. Wow! Great product!

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

okaywitheasypay — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 15:33:43 GMT

the already mentioned Damp Rid and baking soda sound great. Also newspapers layered in .

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

aubnwa01 — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 22:08:47 GMT

When I was moving to a new state about 15 years ago & my stuff, including a small 13 cu ft upright freezer, would be held in storage by the mover for about a month while I was between houses. I asked about how to keep the freezer from getting stinky from being shut all that time. One of the moving co. guys told me to go get a pair of knee-high, like ladies trouser socks & a couple of lbs of activated aquarium charcoal from a pet store & put the charcoal in the socks & tie them at the top to keep the charcoal from spilling all over & then, hang the socks off of the wire racks in my freezer. I tied the socks with some kitchen twine onto the wire racks of the freezer after I'd washed out the inside of the freezer & left it open for a few days prior to the move so it was dry. It worked like a charm, the freezer had zero smell inside, even though it had been closed for over a month by the time it got here. I no longer have that freezer, but I do still have those little bags of charcoal out in my garage.

The activated charcoal looks sort of like this:

Re: Preparing a fridge for storage?

Sage04 — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 03:57:01 GMT

@house_cat also make sure that the storage room is climate controlled.