Why You Shouldn't Throw Out Your Old Refrigerator And What To Do Instead

Upgrading your refrigerator is a relatively easy way to make your kitchen feel brand new, but getting rid of your old fridge the right way can be annoying. You can save yourself the headache of coordinating its removal, though, by turning your old unit into a neat storage area. Since your fridge is in the kitchen anyway, turning it into pantry storage may be the easiest way to transform it; after all, you may not even need to move it to do so. You can replace your fridge's plastic shelves with wood for a more sophisticated look, and use paint or wallpaper to refinish the exterior — just make sure to remove the fridge's door gasket since an airtight seal can contribute to musty odors. 

If you don't have enough kitchen floor space to convert your old fridge to a pantry, you can still use it to store other items like art supplies, yarn, or jewelry. This may be an especially useful transformation if you're looking to repurpose a mini-fridge rather than a full-sized one. Depending on the size of your mini-fridge, you can keep your supplies or accessories underneath or near a desk or vanity.

Before doing anything with your old fridge, you need to take a couple of steps to prepare the appliance. You'll have to deal with its capacitor (which can carry a dangerous electric charge even when the fridge is unplugged) and refrigerant gases (which can be hazardous to work with, especially if your fridge is an older model that uses freon). Because refrigerant gases can be toxic, it's best to remove them to eliminate any potential for leaks. This isn't a project that you should handle yourself, though. Instead, call in professionals who can appropriately handle and dispose of these materials. 

After that is done, you'll want to thoroughly clean the unit. When deep cleaning your fridge, you'll need to pull out and clean any shelving that you still plan on using. Then, you can use either dish soap and water, or a mixture of one tablespoon of bleach to every gallon of water to sanitize it. If you're worried about any lingering smells, you can place an open box of baking soda inside to absorb odors or use coffee instead. Simply place a tablespoon or two in a cup and leave it in your repurposed fridge. 

When the conversion is done, you'll want to spice up that old boring fridge. This could be done using wallpaper, which allows you to customize the appearance of your new storage. You can choose from a variety of designs, like a vintage floral look, or even mimic the appearance of other materials like wood. All you need is peel-and-stick wallpaper, a utility knife or scissors, and a squeegee or credit card to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you apply the paper.

If peel-and-stick isn't your thing, you can paint your old fridge instead. However, you need to make sure that you properly prepare your surface by giving it a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper, cleaning it with soapy water, and letting it dry. Then, paint it with a product made specifically for appliances, like Rust-Oleum Specialty Appliance Epoxy Paint (make sure to do this job in a well-ventilated area). Apply thin coats, allowing dry time in between coats according to the manufacturer's instructions, until the desired look is achieved.