
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 15, 1995                   TAG: 9511150016
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IT'S CLEAN OUT YOUR FRIDGE DAY

Appliance manufacturer Whirlpool Corp. has declared today Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. To help start the holiday entertaining season on the right foot, consumers are encouraged to rid their refrigerators of USOs (unidentified shriveled objects) and other outdated foods before diving into the cooking frenzy typical this time of year.

A toll-free number, will provide answers to consumers' most frustrating and challenging refrigerator woes. Until Dec. 15, weekdays between 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., call (800) 95-FRIDGE.

To clean out a fridge:

Take out all removable parts and wash with warm water and mild soap or detergent. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Wash walls with a solution of 2 Tbsp. of baking soda to one quart warm water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Wash gasket and door liner with warm water and mild soap or detergent. Rinse well and dry.

For refrigerators with removable drain plugs, remove plug and force warm water mixed with baking soda through the drain. A meat basting syringe works fine for this.

Wipe down jars, bottles and containers before returning to refrigerator.

The drip pan underneath the refrigerator is out of sight, so special effort must be made to clean it. Remove it and wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water.

Vacuum condenser coils two to six times a year (more often in homes with pets).

To remove odors:

Wash interior walls thoroughly with a solution of 2 Tbsp. of baking soda to one quart warm water.

Pour box of baking soda in jelly roll pan and place on shelves to absorb odors.

Buy activated charcoal (available at appliance stores), spread onto jelly roll pans and place on shelves inside refrigerator.

Pack each refrigerator shelf with crumpled newspaper. Set a cup of water on the top shelf, or sprinkle the newspapers lightly with water. This method takes five to six days, but strong odors will be eliminated.

by CNB