One of the many damages we come across is cracked freezer drawers. This is often caused by unnecessary force. Defrosting your freezer will make it much easier to open the drawers, thus preventing forcing them.   

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Another common issue is freezers not closing correctly, this is also usually due to a build-up of ice preventing the door from fully closing.   

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Different manufacturers may have different recommendations so it’s worth Googling the instructions for your specific model to ensure you are defrosting the freezer in line with the manufacturer's instructions.  

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Before defrosting a freezer it’s worth trying to use up as much of the food stored in there as possible. The remaining items can be put in cool bags/boxes with some ice blocks. It’s also worth avoiding peak summer days as it will be easier to prevent food from defrosting on cooler days.   

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What you will need:  

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• A washing up bowl or other suitably sized bowl  

• A clean cloth  

• Some old towels  

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Now for the how to guide:  

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Firstly, remove the contents of your freezer. This is a good opportunity to go through items in the freezer and donate or throw away any items that are out of date or won't be used. 

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Turn off your freezer unplug it from the mains. Ensure the plug is off the floor, you don't want to risk it coming in to contact with water as the freezer defrosts. 

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Put towels around the bottom of the freezer and inside the freezer to catch any water from the melting ice. If there is a big build-up of ice, there will be a lot of water so remember to wring the towels out when they're wet and replace them with dry towels if required. If any pieces of ice fall off, dispose of them in the sink.  

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The easiest way to defrost a freezer is to simply let the ice melt on its own. Leave the door open and wait for the ice to melt. 

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Remove any drawers/shelves, this is also an opportunity to give these a clean. If the shelves are iced in place, just wait until the ice starts to melt and then remove them.  

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If you have a drainage hose, make sure it's draining into something, e.g. a container.   

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Upon the completion of your ice being fully cleared you will be able to start cleaning the inside of your freezer. Mix the following things together; one tablespoon of baking soda and four cups of hot water. Then wipe down the inner walls and doors of your freezer with a rag. Finally use a damp cloth to dry everything.   

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Making sure the freezer is thoroughly dried inside of the freezer after completion of cleaning is super important. This is because it would be pointless cleaning it in the first place as the water is just going to turn back into ice when the freezer is turned back on. Use a tea towel or other cloth to dry with.  

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