Despite being an indispensable part of our daily lives, refrigerators are only sometimes something people think about. That is unless you have a cause to, such as if it breaks or, God forbid, needs to be wiped down. And getting rid of the shelves, especially if it is made of glass, makes it one of the most complicated parts of cleaning a refrigerator. It can be challenging, as well as a knack for it.
But fret not because here at DaDongnY, we’re going to guide you through everything you need to know on how to safely remove and clean the glass from your refrigerator shelf. Keep on reading in order to figure out how.
For Starters
You must be prepared before proceeding with anything. There is absolutely nothing unpleasant than engaging in an exhausting activity, especially when you realize you do not have all of the equipment you need at your disposal. Being ready for anything is necessary as you have to deal with a task that might result in injury, especially if you need to be more careful.
That being said, get all the things you will need later on, such as the instructions manual, paper towels, cleaning solution, and more. Then, put them in an ideal and easy-to-reach area, away from harm.
Why, In The First Place, Do One Need To Take Out Glass From The Refrigerator’s Shelf
Are you familiar with the saying back in the old days, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” This general life rule applies to your refrigerator as well. Getting rid of glass from refrigerator shelving is usually easy, especially if you do research and understand exactly what you’re doing; however, it should only be carried out whenever necessary.
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The more frequently your equipment is moved and fiddled with, the greater the probability it is to become accidentally damaged, which isn’t just a pain in the butt to get fixed but additionally can become quite expensive.
Furthermore, if the glass breaks or shatters, there is also a chance that you could injure yourself and everyone around you.
A Step-By-Step Procedure To Remove The Glass From A Refrigerator Shelves
First and foremost, let’s talk about safety. Although glass shelves can be extremely thick, they are still susceptible to breaking, just like most glass materials. Removing glass from the shelf can be challenging if it has become slippery from cleaning solution or greasy from all those spilled food or beverages.
When removing the glass from its frame, be sure to be as careful as possible. If the glass is dishwasher-safe, allow it to get to an appropriate temperature before putting it through.
Glass can shatter, crack, or break if unintentionally placed in a temperature differential resulting from this appliance’s frigidity and the dishwasher’s extreme heat. Try to maintain it as close to room temperature as possible.
That being said, here’s an easy-to-follow guide for removing glass from refrigerator shelves:
- Check The Instructions Manual
Although not all refrigerators are the same, they always come with a useful owner’s manual. Become familiar with the instruction. It is specially designed for your device and will include additional information on how to remove any metal parts or locks that could be holding the shelf in place. Before digging in and removing anything, get to know the refrigerator and its many components.
- Remove Everything Inside The Refrigerator
After you’ve read everything, it’s time to take action. Start by removing everything from the refrigerator. To keep everything cool, put perishables inside a portable cooler, ideally with ice cubes. For the glass removal to work properly, the refrigerator must be fully empty, including all condiments. The shelves must be visible.
- Scrub The Refrigerator
Although it’s not an important part of the process, wiping off and drying the bookcases will make removing the glassless difficult. Spills can be disgusting and sticky, making it difficult to get a solid grip.
To do this, use a little cleaning solution, clean them all around, and then dry those glasses off before trying to remove them. Besides, you won’t be able to do it later when you’re weary after removing all the glass from your refrigerator.
- Examine The Refrigerator
Do you recall reading the instruction manual? Wonderful. You should see the shelf and the glass panel within the refrigerator now that it is unoccupied and sparkly cleaned. The instructions manual shall include details regarding any latching mechanisms that could be present. Because these are provided to avoid slipping, they should be removed completely to avoid problems with the shelving, and they will also need a replacement.
- Remove The Latches, Clips, Or Clasps
After you’ve found them, carefully remove any latches, clips, or clasps holding the glass from the refrigerator. These clamps serve an important purpose, and improper handling could result in shelf or glass panel breakage.
- Pull The Shelves Gently From The Refrigerator
Refrigerator shelves have been tailored to fit neatly in where they are placed. The shelf must be pulled out once all the locks are successfully unlatched. If the shelf appears to be stuck, avoid trying to tug or nudge it. Spilled food and other items are prone to get stuck on their corners, causing the shelves to become jammed.
- Remove The Glass From The Frame With Care
There is a metallic or plastic frame placed around the glass. Not to reiterate, and sounds like a broken record, but this has to be removed with tremendous caution. In addition to being an extremely costly component to replace, maintaining your food can seem to be a little difficult until you do. So you must, at all costs, avoid breaking anything. If you need help, the instructions manual will also show you how to execute this part properly.
The Brand Of The Refrigerator Matters
As previously stated, not all refrigerators are the same, which is why we keep emphasizing the significance of referring to the instructions manual that came with your equipment when you first bought it. Depending on the refrigerator brand, removing the shelf on one unit may be completely different from another.
After cleaning the glass, all need to be properly reinstalled. You’re almost there; this is not the time to be reckless. The difficult part is over, but it has to be done with precaution. It does not necessarily need to be an awful job. Do your homework and follow the directions, and you’ll be fine.
How To Reinstall Refrigerator Shelves Properly
If the shelves are not properly installed, you might be unable to pull or push them off properly (in case you decide to clean your refrigerator again). Follow the instructions below to keep your refrigerator’s shelves secure.
To install shelves in their proper place in your full-size refrigerator, do the following steps:
- Take the shelves out of the refrigerator
- Lift the shelf and pull to remove it
- Replace the shelves in the frame bars
How To Clean Glass Refrigerator Shelves
- Scrub The Shelves With Vinegar And Hot Water Solution
You’ll want to work on cleaning the shelves now that you’ve removed all the food and the glass. Using vinegar and warm water solution is best for optimum results.
Vinegar is an excellent cleaning alternative for this task since it quickly dissolves any grease or grime that could’ve accumulated on the surfaces of the shelves. Pour vinegar straight on the shelves and clean them with hot water and a washcloth.
You might also combine hot water and vinegar and place them in a spray bottle. Spraying the shelves and allowing them to become saturated briefly before washing them down is enough.
Depending on how much debris has accumulated on the surfaces of the refrigerator shelves, this may or may not be the option. If you’ve spilled something on the shelves, it’s a good idea to soak them longer before starting.
This makes wiping off the soiled fragments much simpler, and you’ll soon have spotless shelves. Ensure you use an excellent washcloth to wipe things dry without staining the glass.
- Clean One Shelf At A Time
Upon doing this task, we suggest you work one shelf at a time. Start from the top, then work down to the last one.
This will make it simpler if you can remove the glass refrigerator shelves. When you fail to remove the shelves, focusing on one shelf at a time is still highly recommended.
It’s also a good idea to clean every bracket or frame that keeps in place. Just make sure that you clean everything before you reinstall the shelves back. If you do, you are likely to have completed your cleaning job.
- Don’t Forget About Cleaning The Drawers And The Door
The refrigerator compartments and door should also be cleaned properly. Because you store different kinds of fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawers of your fridge, it can quickly become cluttered and messy.
If you can remove the compartment, you can clean it the same way you used it on the glass refrigerator shelves. Just make an effort to wipe everything down thoroughly.
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- Clean The Food Jars Before Placing Them Back In The Refrigerator
It’s also a good idea to clean your food jars and containers before placing them back into the refrigerator. Sticky items shouldn’t be placed in the refrigerator; washing them down will take little time.
To do it, start by using a washcloth to wipe off the condiment jars and food containers. With a touch of cleaning solution on the towel, you’ll have everything ready in no time.
When you’re finished, you should be able to put the food back into the refrigerator and organize it. After that, you’ll soon be able to see the way your refrigerator looks.
FAQs
- What Material Are Refrigerator Shelves Composed Of?
Refrigerator shelves are often made of tempered glass, plastic, metal, or a combination of the three mentioned materials. Tempered glass is the most commonly employed since it is exceptionally tough and easy to clean. It can also survive the frigid temperatures preserved inside a refrigerator without falling apart.
On the other hand, plastic shelves are also often used because they can contain spillage and prevent substances from gushing inside the refrigerator, causing harm for what’s inside the equipment.
Metal shelves are typically found in commercial or restaurant-style refrigerators due to their strength and long-lasting nature.
Some shelves could be made of a mix of all these materials, with metal or plastic frames surrounding tempered glass. Every one of these materials is available in various finishes and patterns suitable for various kinds of refrigerators and homeowners with aesthetically pleasing tastes.
- What Is The Thickness Of Refrigerator Glass Shelves?
Refrigerator glass shelves are normally ⅛ to ¼ inch thick, depending on the brand and type of refrigerator. Some versions, however, may feature shelves that are thicker or thinner.
The shelves must be securely placed in slots inside the refrigerator walls during installation, preventing them from breaking down. It is also critical to ensure that the shelves are level with one another and appropriately secured when filled with food and beverages.
If the shelf is not correctly installed, it could end up in an irreversible deformation or the glass breaking.
- What Could Cause My Refrigerator Shelf To Shatter?
One reason that happens most often is that too much weight has been set onto the shelf, leading it to break. Temperature changes can also contribute to the deterioration of a shelf, especially when the fridge is exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures.
It’s also likely that the shelf was just old enough or created from a weak material to handle all the stress placed on it. Excessive cleaning agents and dumping heavy items on the shelf could also cause it to crack.
Additionally, faulty materials can be a rare but possible cause since shelves given by the company that makes them typically use tempered glass or similar high-quality materials intended to last long.
Bottomline
This article should help you understand how to successfully remove and clean glass from refrigerator shelves. Cleaning your refrigerator should be done every few months to maintain it aesthetically pleasing and smell nice.
When you tackle things from the proper viewpoint and with the right tools, it’s not as difficult as you think. You’ll be more satisfied once you glance inside the refrigerator and find that it’s clean every time you open it to get an ice-cold one, which is perfect on a hot summer day.
To learn more about refrigerators and how this valuable piece of equipment chills the food and beverages inside, check out the post here.
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