Seven tips for defrosting your freezer

Are you spending more time indoors house cleaning? If so, there are probably chores you are doing more of.

You know the ones we mean—cleaning the oven, getting down on your hands and knees to tackle those skirting boards and all the other tasks that get forgotten in normal times.

One chore that has risen to the top of the list for those isolating or shielding at home is the dreaded defrost. Refrigerators and freezers should be defrosted regularly. With freezers, it is important to carry out the task when roughly a quarter an inch of ice has built up.

Ensuring your freezer works properly

Why? Too much ice will stop your freezer working properly. It will use more electricity and be more expensive to run. Defrosting the freezer also gives us the opportunity to throw out some of the items in there, as we find at House Cleaning Oakton services. Meat or leftovers that are more than a few years old, anyone? Time to go.

Some freezers come with an automatic defrosting feature but will still build up excess ice.

There are lots of whacky tips for defrosting a freezer quickly—using steam cleaners or hair driers. But we at House Cleaning Oakton would not recommend them. They might not be safe and it’s doubtful ‘quick’ defrosting does the job properly.

Here’s how to defrost your freezer safely just as we use at House Cleaning Oakton services:

1. Switch the freezer off and put old newspapers around it to soak up the water as the ice melts. Place dry towels inside to soak up the water too.
2. Remove all the frozen food. If possible, put them in cool bags or boxes along with ice packs and store in the coldest part of your house. This should keep them frozen. (Or why not give your food away to a neighbour who might need it? We at House Cleaning Oakton like to foster the community spirit.)
3. Remove everything that can be taken out and set aside for cleaning.
4. If your freezer has a drainage hose or tray, keep an eye on it so you can dispose of any water that collects there.
5. Wait for the ice to melt and clean the removable drawers and shelves, etc. Then, use a sponge and cleaning liquid to clean the inside of your freezer.
6. Dry the freezer as much as you can by wiping with dry towels.
7. Switch it back on and give it time to cool again before returning your frozen food. (Anything food items that have defrosted should not be refrozen.

Remember – if you are having trouble shutting the door, your food in the freezer might not be freezing properly. The freezer will use too much electricity too.

Here at Budget Maids we provide House Cleaning Oakton, a maid service in Arlington or cleaning services in Columbia and surrounds, and more. Why not give us a call today and let us help you ensure that your all your appliances are sparkling clean?

Picture thanks to Sylvar on flickr.