Not that I don’t know how to clean a refidgerator. But…I let it go. At this point it’s about as scary as the one in Requiem for a Dream. I think it wants to eat me. I took out everything, thew away the live forms that were taking form. Got out the clorox…switched to the vinegar (a great cleaning product). Scrubbed and scrubbed. Can’t get everything off…particularly for tin foil from I don’t know where that’s stuck to something, I don’t know what.
I’m a cook not a cleaner. So I cook and cook and then the 'fridge is full of things that start crawling around. Or sticking to things. So other than brillo pads, what really harsh cleaner can I get to actually clean this thing?
Are the problem areas on the shelves or on the walls? Whenever I have a sticky mess on the shelves, I take them out and soak them in warm soapy water (you may have to use the bathtub for this depending on the size of your sink and the shelves).
The shelves do come out, right? I personally haven’t seen a fridge where they didn’t. Or is it on another surface in there that isn’t removable? In that case, you could try taking some paper towels or rags soaked in soapy water (or vinegar* if you prefer) and applying them to the problem areas until they soften up so you can scrub them. My mom cleans mildew in the bathroom that way- pour a little bleach on toilet paper and stick it to the areas of grout that are mildewed.
The paste of water and baking soda might work too. The baking soda should make it more abrasive.
*I’ve never used vinegar to clean, so I can’t vouch for its effectiveness.
I second the RRFM’s suggestion to find a way to soak the recalcitrant bits. Water (or vinegar) is a great solvent, but it works slowly. Put another way, it works slowly, but well. And by slowly, it’s hours, not days, sometimes less than an hour.
Although Magic Eraser is exactly what the name says for all stains, rough or bumpy stains (stuck stuff) eat throught it in no time and make it ineffective.
A large pad (or even two, one tucked inside the other) of steel wool (the heavier wider ribbons, not Brillo pads) does wonders for this type of stuff if you are very gentle and very patient. Don’t apply any pressure, just rub it in wide circles over and over and let it wear the glob away. Did I mention being gentle and patient? Be so.
Crud that’s dried on comes off much more easily if you let the cleaner do the work, and soak it. I’d spray on an all-purpose cleaner that’s not too harsh, and close the door on the (empty) fridge and let it soak for a while. (For a TV show, or forty-five minutes on the web, a nice hot shower, or whatever.) Then wipe with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water or paper towels, and spray again. If you haven’t cleaned the fridge in a while, it’s going to take more spray, soak and wipe treatments.
You can cruise to YouTube and watch episodes of “How Clean is Your House” for tips on fridge-cleaning, incentive to keep cleaning, and a way to count off a half-hour of soaking.