GE 18, 19 Use And Care & Installation Manual Download

Page: 14 / 92

CARE AND CLEANING

Cleaning—Outside

The ice dispenser spill shelf (on some models) should be wiped dry
immediately to prevent spotting if excess spills occur. Water left on
the shelf may leave deposits that you can remove by soaking with
undiluted vinegar. You can also use a paste of non-precipitating water
softener (such as Calgon brand) and water, or 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of
citric acid powder per pint (500 ml) of hot tap water. Soak until the
deposit disappears or becomes loose enough to rinse away. Usually 30
minutes soaking time is adequate. Avoid using wax on the spill shelf
and trim.

The door handles and trim (on some models) can be cleaned with
a cloth dampened with a solution of mild liquid dishwashing detergent
and water. Dry with a soft cloth. Don’t use wax on the door handles
and trim.

The soft door handles (on some models) are easy to keep clean
if they are waxed every few months. Use a household wax such as
Pledge brand or Jubilee brand to coat the handles. Soil will then
easily wash off with a dish detergent and water or a non-abrasive
all-purpose cleaner.

Keep the finish clean. Wipe with a clean cloth lightly dampened with
kitchen appliance wax or mild liquid dishwashing detergent. Dry and
polish with a clean, soft cloth. Do not wipe the refrigerator with a
soiled dishwashing cloth or wet towel. These may leave a residue that
can erode the paint. Do not use scouring pads, powdered cleaners,
bleach or cleaners containing bleach because these products can
scratch and weaken the paint finish.

Protect the paint finish. The finish on the outside of the refrigerator
is a high quality, baked-on paint finish. With proper care, it will stay
new-looking and rust-free for years. Apply a coat of kitchen/appliance
wax when the refrigerator is new and then at least twice a year.

Appliance Polish Wax & Cleaner is available from Service and
Parts Centers.

Cleaning—Inside

Inside the fresh food and freezer compartments should be cleaned
at least once a year. Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning. If this is
not practical, wring excess moisture out of sponge or cloth when
cleaning around switches, lights or controls. Apply an appliance wax
polish to the inside surface between the doors.

Use warm water and baking soda solution—about a tablespoon
(15 ml) of baking soda to a quart (1 L) of water. This both cleans and
neutralizes odors. Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe dry.

Other parts of the refrigerator—including door gaskets, meat and
vegetable drawers, ice storage bin and all plastic parts—can be
cleaned the same way. After cleaning door gaskets, apply a thin layer
of petroleum jelly to the door gaskets at the hinge side. This helps
keep the gaskets from sticking and bending out of shape. Do not use
cleansing powders or other abrasive cleaners.

Avoid cleaning cold glass shelves (on some models) with hot water
because the extreme temperature difference may cause them to break.

To help prevent odors, leave an open box of baking soda in the
rear of the refrigerator, on the top shelf. Change the box every 3
months. An open box of baking soda in the freezer will absorb stale
freezer odors.

Quick Serve dishes and lids can be cleaned in an automatic
dishwasher or by hand with liquid dishwashing detergent and water.
You can remove stains by soaking them in a bleach and water
solution—1 part chlorine bleach to 3 parts water. (Stubborn stains
may require soaking.) Use a plastic scouring pad to remove burned-on
soil. Do not use cleansing powders or other abrasive cleaners.

Do not wash any plastic parts from your refrigerator in
your automatic dishwasher.

Under Refrigerator

Behind Refrigerator

For most efficient operation, you
need to keep the area under the
refrigerator clean. Remove the base
grille and either sweep away or
vacuum up dust that is readily
accessible. For best results, use a
brush specially designed for this
purpose. It is available at most
appliance parts stores. This easy
cleaning operation should be done
at least once a year.

Care should be taken in moving your refrigerator away from the wall.
All types of floor coverings can be damaged, particularly cushioned
coverings and those with embossed surfaces. Pull the refrigerator
straight out and return it to position by pushing it straight in. Moving
your refrigerator in a side direction may result in damage to your floor
covering or refrigerator.

When pushing the refrigerator back, make sure you don’t roll over the
power cord or icemaker supply line (on some models).

Clean the condenser coils at

least once a year.

Storage Drawer and Drawer Cover Removal

Drawers at the bottom of the fresh food compartment will stop
before coming all the way out of the refrigerator, to help prevent
contents from spilling onto the floor. These drawers can be removed
easily by lifting the sides up slightly while pulling the drawers past
the ‘‘stop’’ location.

To remove the drawers and their covers when the fresh food
compartment door cannot be opened fully, follow the procedure that
applies to your model.