Cleaning discolouration from fridge on the outside?

Buster_Danog

I have a big white fridge that I am considering taking with me when I move, but it seems to have a certain amount of discolouration on the side. I have tried scrubbing it with a cloth and some kitchen cleaner spray, but that does not seem to remove the discolouration - only the surface layer of dirt.

I think Brillo pads will do the job, but I am concerned they will also scratch the surface, and leave marks. Does anyone know of a spray, or anything else that will remove these kinds of stains when applied with a non abrasive cloth??

maninthestreet

Are they actually stains or has the paint faded/yellowed ???

Buster_Danog

Good question. I think they are stains. The colour has not gone yellow, but has darkened on one side. I used to live here with my family and they would put empty plastic shopping bags between one side of the fridge and the cupboard alongside it.

This has resulted in dark colouring, and some scratches to that side of the fridge. Whether it could be said the colour had faded as a result of this I don't know. Either the plastic bags have taken colour off the white fridge, or they have given it a darker colour over the years.

The top of the fridge is another matter, It has a layer of grime, which can be taken off with a brillo pad, but that will leave scratches.

jellie

Sounds like the dye from the plastic bags has dyed your fridge. Sorry, I have no idea how to get that off.

As for the grime on top, just use normal kitchen cleaning spray (or washing up liquid in hot water) with a plastic pan scourer - the sort with a sponge on the other side. No need to use a brillo pad which will damage the surface. It may need a few goes and a bit of elbow grease, but it's only grease from cooking, mixed with household dust.

McKneff

Brillo pads will scratch it to hell, and dirt will get into the scratches so it will look even worse.

Stick some of the kids/grandchildren pics up there. That'll cover it.
or some fridge magnets.

mart.vader

Try a "cream" cleaner like Cif

London50

Hi

I have used this to get rid of long term marks ect on a number of items in our kitchen including waterstains on an old freezer that had leaked for a long time. It not only removed the "rust like stain" on the door but IMO brightened up the surface as well. I am not saying it will work but in our situation it did a good job and as has been stated a Brillo type pad will ruin the surface

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/9009/Magic-Eraser-Block

Buster_Danog

Thanks guys. I bought some CIF but haven't given it a proper go yet. I suspect it will only remove the surface layer of grim, but not the darkened part, which might be faded anyway, or stained - I am not sure.

Other than that I will try the magic blocks, spray paint or ajax.

phill99

I have used 'T cut' on my fridge freezer and it brings it up like new. It takes the haze and marks off the paint and shines it. You can get it from wilkinson s, halfords or car spare shops.

kitschkitty

You can get magic eraser sponges in Poundland, they're great for grime.

Buster_Danog

Thanks guys. I just thought I would mention that the only thing that worked was Ajax along with the cheap blue cloths you get in most supermarkets.

Cif was rubbish. Ajax would not work with the white dishcloths, but then that shouldn't be a surprise. It is still hard work as it only barely breaks up the layer of dirt (what I earlier called dark discolouring) and kind of spreads it around. You really need another two cloths handy to wipe the dirt away after the ajax had loosened it. Otherwise you are just wiping the dirt around.

I might try t-cut, or spray paint or something else. I'm not sure yet. I will finish the job with ajax and a more expensive cloth and see how it looks.