If you are planning to temporarily move into a home that already has appliances, you may have decided to place your refrigerator in a self-storage unit. If so, use the following tips to prepare your refrigerator for long-term storage so that it will be clean and fresh when you have use of it again.

Wipe the Inside With Bleach

The first thing you should do when preparing your refrigerator for long-term storage is to thoroughly clean it out. Not only does this include removing all food items, but it also means wiping up any spillage and sanitizing the interior with bleach.

Because your refrigerator will be unused and closed up for an extended period of time, you want to make sure no food particles are left that could feed mold growth. You also want to make sure all bacteria is removed so that your appliance does not become an incubator for germs.

After removing the food and cleaning the inside of the refrigerator, freezer, and doors, mix together one part bleach with two parts warm water. Use a clean cloth to wipe the surfaces. Then, prop the doors open to let the interior air dry. While the water may evaporate, the bleach residue will remain behind to provide a barrier between the surface and mold or bacterial growth.

Put Baking Soda in Each Compartment

Even if you have thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the inside of your refrigerator, temperature changes and moisture outside of the appliance could cause condensation on the inside of the unit. Not only could this excess moisture encourage growth, but it can also make your refrigerator stink after it sits for a long time.

To keep the moisture to a minimum, place a box of baking soda each compartment. The baking soda will absorb the excess moisture, as well as any odors that may start to develop because of it.

If you will be keeping your refrigerator in storage for more than a few months, or if the interior of the freezer or refrigerator has extra space, you may want to put two boxes of baking soda to make sure the air inside the appliance stays fresh.

Using the above tips while preparing your refrigerator for storage can help keep it clean and odor-free while you are not using it. If you have any further questions about storing your refrigerator or other major appliances, contact a representative at a self-storage facility like National Self Storage - Denver for more tips and information.