THAT SHELF in the Refrigerator - March 10, 2011

by Monica Hutchens Tipton

You know that shelf in the refrigerator that you spilled something on quite some time ago, and you told yourself you’d really clean later on? I just cleaned that shelf. It wasn’t a particularly unpleasant experience in and of itself. However, I found myself making a couple of rather startling discoveries.

First of all the “tempered glass” (that descriptor is printed in several locations) shelf is NOT attached to the plastic frame by the manufacturer. After I held it under hot tap water for a very few seconds, the plate of glass easily slipped away from the frame and nearly bisected itself when it hit the bottom of the sink. While I was deeply relieved that the glass did not break, I was equally dismayed to find that the adhesive was not provided by the factory. This made it much more challenging to find a solution that would effectively dissolve what was left of the golden brown substance that trimmed the edge of the framework. The gunk came off the glass easily with just soap and water; however, the plastic was another story. After scrubbing diligently and purposefully for a minute or more, using increasing amounts of dish soap as well as ever more intense levels of pressure on the sponge, the slightly sticky substance persisted.

My “go to” answer for most housecleaning problems is chlorine bleach. I keep a spray bottle of a 50-50 solution close at hand for just such emergencies. I sprayed the shelving generously, knowing in my heart of hearts that even if it didn’t come clean, it would be by God sanitized. It was sanitized, and the goo dissolved, as well as a small stripe of black dye from the front of my favorite sweatshirt. I suppose that is a small price to pay for toxic waste removal.

Another disturbing factor that became a blessing was the large amount of baking soda that had been dumped from a container on an upper shelf onto the floor of the refrigerator compartment. At first I was concerned as to how to vacuum the interior of the refrigerator without creating cascading damages from one appliance to the next. Once I applied a wet sponge to the small hill of white powder, I found that it quickly became its own scouring compound, and proceeded to scrub the entire area. The baking soda, combined with the remaining traces of bleach on the sponge, made for a sparkling clean fridge completely accidentally.

My friend Kelly would blanch at my generous use of so toxic a substance as chlorine bleach, but she would lose consciousness had she seen the condition of the refrigerator prior to bleaching. This is another reason I am glad I live alone. However, I’m expecting guests this weekend, including a new suitor. While my aunt and uncle would not have noticed or certainly wouldn’t have commented on the unsanitary and unsightly condition of the place where my food is stored, it is altogether too early to show my housekeeping hand to this new man.

My final discovery had to do with a puzzle that only had four pieces. Once the bottom of the fridge, the frame, the glass shelf, and the crisper drawer had been cleaned, it was time to reassemble the entire section. This should have been easy. It was not. Because of the position of my refrigerator in my tiny kitchen, the refrigerator door only opens to 90°. This means that removing the two crisper drawers traditionally has involved taking the shelves off of the refrigerator door. This time however, in my zeal to complete my unpleasant task, I had managed to twist what I thought at the time was a three-part component and cause the entire structure to collapse onto the floor of the refrigerator. Now faced with four pieces, insufficient space, and a powerful desire to end this entire project as quickly as possible, I was faced with two options. One, disassemble the shelving on the doors as was traditional; or two, force the pieces into place. (This by the way, did not consciously enter my mind as a decision until this very moment). Those who know me well know that I immediately opted for number two.

I have a corollary to this lesson: that which falls apart does not fall together. However, with a minor amount of adjustment, the drawer, the frame, the glass, and the small plastic divider thingy that holds the entire operation in its upright and locked position went together again. I stood back, marveling at what bleach hath wrought. I don’t even have to worry about what to do with the desiccated beets, papery lettuce leaf, or sprouted root potatoes: the first two go to the chickens and the last get tossed into the yard where they will no doubt first become toys for the dog, then supper for me. I repeat: it really is a good thing I live alone.

Having so successfully addressed this particular issue, rest assured that I will share any other household cleaning tips as they are discovered with those who are interested, and for those who read my Facebook page regularly, even those who are not.