best way to clean out drainage channel

[caliban10]

Cream has gotten into the drainage channel in our integrated fridge. It’s now evaporating slowly and the kitchen smells like old socks. How can we clean the channel without pulling the fridge out? We’ve poured water and a water/bicarb-of-soda solution in. Is there something better to pour in to make the cream evaporate more quickly?

[kwatt]

Re: best way to clean out drainage channel

There’s no best way without pulling it out I’m afraid if it’s that bad.

When it gets that bad we’ll usually remove the tube (if possible) and throughly scrub it in hot water with a bottle brush. It’s the only way to be sure it’s totally clean.

The only thing I can suggest is a mild bleach solution down there, but too much and you risk overfilling the water tray which is on top of the fridge compressor. If it overflows there’s a possibility you will blow the compressor so, even doing this, it really needs to come out so you can see what’s happening.

HTH

K.

[Martin]

Re: best way to clean out drainage channel

Empty the appliance and switch it off!!!!

Plug the drainage channel temporarily with something like the end of a J Cloth? Remove the shelves and place a towel against the back wall and floor. Scrub away the cream and any other dirt and gunge from the channel and cabinet liner with a mild solution of washing up liquid and warm water. Unplug the channel drain hole and pour a small quantity of water (no more than a teacup full) into the drainage channel to ensure it is clear and free flowing. Dry up all spillages, wipe the evaporator and cabinet liner dry, before switching back on! 😉

[kwatt]

That won’t get it clean if the spillage is in the drain tube Martin. 😉

K.

[Martin]

kwatt wrote:That won’t get it clean if the spillage is in the drain tube Martin. 😉

In the ‘good old days’ in cases like that a pipe cleaner came to the rescue.

In this day and age?……..a ‘Cotton Bud’ will sort it 😉

[clivejameson]

Re: best way to clean out drainage channel

I rather suspect the smell is not coming from the inside of the cabinet, or the drain tube for that matter….it will be where the cream has settled into the evaporation tray on the compressor. The only cure for that….and it’s not difficult, is to get to the back of the machine, unclip the tray and wash it thoroughly 😉

I had to do this a few years ago after the lady of the house had spilled a milk bottle with much of it going down the drain tube….i can only describe the smell as being something akin to vomit 😯

[kwatt]

Re: best way to clean out drainage channel

Ditto Clive, only in my case it was Ragu sauce or something that was congealed in the drain tub as well as the drip tray and it was, to put it mildly, rancid. If it’s anything heavy it can stick to the sides of the drain tube and it will stink as it will on the drip tray.

If it’s gone crusty get a sick bag ready. 😉

K.

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