Whirlpool ST18PKXJW00 manual Caring for Your Refrigerator, Cleaning Your Refrigerator

CARING FOR YOUR

REFRIGERATOR

Cleaning Your Refrigerator

Explosion Hazard

Use nonflammable cleaner.

Failure to do so can result in death, explosion, or fire.

Both the refrigerator and freezer sections defrost automatically. However, clean both sections about once a month to prevent odors from building up. Wipe up spills immediately.

To clean your refrigerator:

1.Unplug refrigerator or disconnect power.

2.Remove all removable parts from inside, such as shelves, crispers, etc.

3.Hand wash, rinse, and dry removable parts and interior surfaces thoroughly. Use a clean sponge or soft cloth and a mild detergent in warm water.

■Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners such as window sprays, scouring cleansers, flammable fluids, cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents, bleaches or cleansers containing petroleum products on plastic parts, interior and door liners or gaskets. Do not use paper towels, scouring pads, or other harsh cleaning tools. These can scratch or damage materials.

■To help remove odors, you can wash interior walls with a mixture of warm water and baking soda (2 tbs. to 1 qt. [26 g to .95 L] of water).

4.Wash stainless steel and painted metal exteriors with a clean sponge or soft cloth and a mild detergent in warm water. Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. For additional protection against damage to painted metal exteriors, apply appliance wax (or auto paste wax) with a clean, soft cloth. Do not wax plastic parts.

NOTE: Stainless steel exteriors (on some models) have unique cleaning requirements. To keep your refrigerator looking like new and remove minor scuffs or marks, it is suggested that you clean it with Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish. To order the cleaner, see the “Assistance or Service” section.

IMPORTANT: THIS CLEANER IS FOR STAINLESS STEEL PARTS ONLY! Do not allow the Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish to come into contact with any plastic parts such as the door handles, trim pieces, dispenser covers or door gaskets. If accidental contact does occur, immediately clean plastic part with a sponge and mild detergent in warm water. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

5.Clean the condenser coils regularly. Coils may need to be cleaned as often as every other month. This may help save energy.

Style 1 - Condenser coils behind base grille:

■Remove the base grille (see the “Door Removal” section).

■Use a vacuum with an extended attachment to clean the condenser coils when they are dusty or dirty.

■Replace the base grille when finished.

Style 2 - Condenser coils in back of the refrigerator:

■Pull refrigerator out away from the wall (see the “Unpacking Your Refrigerator” section).

■Vacuum coils when they are dusty or dirty.

■Roll refrigerator back into place. Make sure to leave 1 in. (2.5 cm) between the cabinet back and the wall.

■Check to see if the refrigerator is level.

6.Plug in refrigerator or reconnect power.

Changing the Light Bulbs

NOTE: Not all appliance bulbs will fit your refrigerator. Be sure to replace the bulb with one of the same size, shape, and wattage.

1.Unplug refrigerator or disconnect power.

2.Remove the bulb from behind the control panel in the refrigerator or from behind the light shield in the freezer (on some models). Replace it with an appliance bulb of the same wattage.

3.Plug in refrigerator or reconnect power.

Power Interruptions

If the power will be out for 24 hours or less, keep both refrigerator doors closed to help food stay cold and frozen. If the power will be out for more than 24 hours, do one of the

following:

■Remove all frozen food and store it in a frozen food locker.

■Place 2 lbs. (907 g) of dry ice in the freezer for every cubic foot (28 L) of freezer space. This will keep the food frozen for two to four days.

■If neither a food locker nor dry ice is available, consume or can perishable food at once.

REMEMBER: A full freezer stays cold longer than a partially filled one. A freezer full of meat stays cold longer than a freezer full of baked goods. If you see that food contains ice crystals, it may be refrozen, although the quality and flavor may be affected. If the condition of the food is poor, dispose of it.

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