I acidentally shut my fridge switch off when leaving my boat for 10 days (I live aboard) and came home to a smelly, green, goopy mess. Fun, I know.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to clean it. Leading candidates right now are clorox spray (1.5% bleach in water) and baking soda. I have a newly replaced Whale foot pump, so I can basically fill the thing with water to rinse it out.
I'd use baking soda to clean a normal fridge (no chemical residue), but I'm worried it could abrade the foot pump in a bad way. Alternatively, I'd never use Clorox on a normal fridge unless I were cleaning it on a driveway with a garden hose, but I feel like I could sufficiently rinse and then air-dry the galley fridge.
What have other folks used in the past? Any ideas?
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
I left a box of frozen squid in mine and it went out on me last June. Yuk!
Repeated bathing in clorox solutions worked for me along with an extended period of airing. I'd only use the baking soda to absorb the oders but just leaving an open container of it in the fridge for a while.
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
I don't see why clorox wipes would be detrimental at all to the frig material. We use them periodically when we empty the frig between cruises.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
[QUOTE=deising;15711]I don't see why clorox wipes would be detrimental at all to the frig material. We use them periodically when we empty the frig between cruises.[/QUOTE]
I'm not so much worried about the fridge material. I'm more worried about toxic chemicals in my food, which will happen if I use Clorox and don't rinse / air out thoroughly. Normally bleach is a huge no-no with refrigerators, and I'm puzzling through whether our marine fridges are a decent exception (because you can rinse them so well).
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
I use it on everything. They claim it disinfects. I know it removes stains, odors, and mold. I've never seen evidence that it degrades skin, rubber seals, or clothing to the extent that bleach does.
Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,
David, I think you are being overly concerned.
Bleach is used throughout the food industry for disinfecting. Our boat's water tanks and hoses get a thorough annual cleaning/flushing with bleach diluted in water.
The key is just to rinse appropriately with water. A tiny bit of bleach odor right after cleaning should not affect your food in a toxic way, but the more time you give it to dissipate, the better.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
What about vinegar rinse after cleaning with cleansers?
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
[QUOTE=HowLin;15732]What about vinegar rinse after cleaning with cleansers?[/QUOTE]
Well, then you would need to add some oil for a good 'mouth feel' and a little sweetness to offset the acid. Some would then prefer a little heat to balance against the sugar.
Oh, wait. This isn't the Food Network. Never mind.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
[QUOTE=deising;15723]David, I think you are being overly concerned.
Bleach is used throughout the food industry for disinfecting. Our boat's water tanks and hoses get a thorough annual cleaning/flushing with bleach diluted in water.
The key is just to rinse appropriately with water. A tiny bit of bleach odor right after cleaning should not affect your food in a toxic way, but the more time you give it to dissipate, the better.[/QUOTE]
Good point. How will the relatively diluted bleach affect the rubber gaskets in my Whale galley pump?
Someone else suggested Spray 9, which I think is a good idea. I've ordered some. Will decide between that and bleach. Any tips for using it?
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
[QUOTE=FlyMeAway;15742]Good point. How will the relatively diluted bleach affect the rubber gaskets in my Whale galley pump?
Someone else suggested Spray 9, which I think is a good idea. I've ordered some. Will decide between that and bleach. Any tips for using it?[/QUOTE]
You don't have to run the bleach water through your pump if you don't want. You should not have more than a cup of diluted bleach water in there to begin with. You are just wiping it with a rag or sponge over all the surfaces, and any residue can be sponged out. If you get any appreciable amount of bleach in the drain, just flush with lots of fresh water through the pump and you should be fine.
I like Spray 9 for cleaning grease all the time and love it. I would have no problem using it in my fridge either, but for removing odors and bacteria, bleach should be superior.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Haha! Duane your too much" :D
Me thinks you'd prefer wine not vinegar...
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
I use soft scrub and then just wipe it up with sponge and rag. No need to run it through Whale pump.