Stuck-On Food In The Fridge Is A Pain, But A Household Staple Gets Rid Of The Most Stuck-On Spots

Remember the last time you had to deal with a stubborn spot of food on a fridge shelf that just wouldn't budge? Or how about a bit of packaging that got wet and seems to now be permanently attached to the glass? Dislodging them with soapy water never seems to work. The ensuing frustration can be enough to just shut the door and put off that last morsel of deep-cleaning your fridge for yet another day. But once you know the secret to getting rid of those spots pronto, you won't have delay any longer. The solution? Your dependable can of WD-40.

You can spritz a little WD-40 on that stuck-on mess in your fridge, just like you use it to remove tags and stickers from other types of glass surfaces. Not everyone feels comfortable spraying a product like this one in their refrigerator, but if you're fed up with those persistent spots and stains, here's how to do it safely.

Because WD-40 is a petroleum product with added chemicals, it's important to use it cautiously. You'll want to remove everything from the refrigerator shelf or drawer before spraying this product. Or, better yet, save this task for when you're doing a full fridge cleaning that requires removing everything anyways, as this lets you see all the spots that might need a little extra cleaning boost, and it lets you treat them all at once.

When you're ready to spray, remember that a small amount of WD-40 is all that's needed to tackle this task. Additionally, it's a good idea to wear rubber gloves when cleaning with WD-40, but if you get some of the lubricant on your hands, be sure to wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.

Soak each spot thoroughly, and let it sit for a few minutes to work. It's important to use WD-40 in a well-ventilated area, so keep the doors of your refrigerator open while you're waiting for it to do its job. Once it's had time to loosen, wipe up the spot or stain with a rag, paper towel, or sponge. After all the tough areas are clean, thoroughly cleanse the treated shelves or drawers with soap and water before returning food to them. 

Now that you've got your can of WD-40 at the ready, there are other ways you can use it to keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape. Almost as pesky as those stuck-on messes inside the fridge are the constant smudges that appear on the outside of stainless steel refrigerators. But you can use WD-40 to get rid of them too — using WD-40 to clean and polish stainless steel appliances not only makes them gleam, but it also repels fingerprints after you've finished cleaning for a win-win. Before you get too far into cleaning and protecting with this spray, however, make sure you have a candle or air freshener ready, as the scent of WD-40 is going to linger in the air for a while.

Other refrigerator applications include the more obvious lubricating of hinges, but you can also use it to remove mildew from gaskets and keep them from sticking. Spray the solution on a rag to wipe onto the gaskets, and use cotton swabs to get into tight areas. After the gaskets are clean, wash them with soapy water to finish the job just as you did when getting rid of stuck-on messes inside the fridge.