Triumph Over Fridge Invaders by Observing Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day -- Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Fridge Less Frightening

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blob is back. So is the Swamp Thing and the creature from the Black Lagoon. Unfortunately, they're not playing at your local drive-in theater. They're growing inside your refrigerator and millions of Americans seem powerless to stop them.

To help holiday cooks confront and ultimately conquer their fear of fridge invaders, Whirlpool has designated Wednesday, Nov. 18, as Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day(TM). This national holiday, celebrated one week before Thanksgiving, was created by the home economists at Whirlpool Home Appliances to help Americans alleviate the terror that often sets in during the holiday season, the time of year when the refrigerator gets the most exercise.

"From Thanksgiving through New Year's, refrigerators are used more often than at any other time of the year," said Carolyn Verweyst, Doctor of Refrigeratorology for Whirlpool Home Appliances. "And the more the refrigerator is used, the more it is going to be abused. While cleaning out the refrigerator won't be the most fun you'll have during the yuletide, it's extremely important for health and safety."

To encourage Americans to face their refrigerators, and to help answer any refrigerator cleaning questions, Whirlpool has established a toll-free hotline staffed by home economists, and other "refrigerator specialists." Consumers can call 1-888-CLEAN-OUT, from Nov. 16-20, during that crucial week before Thanksgiving. The hotline is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST.

Verweyst and the experts at Whirlpool Home Appliances have developed useful tips for cleaning out the refrigerator.

How to Clean Out a Refrigerator:

-- Take out all removable parts and wash with warm water and mild soap or

detergent. Rinse and dry.

-- Wash walls with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda to one

quart warm water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

-- Wash gasket and door liner with warm water and mild soap or detergent.

Rinse well and dry.

-- For refrigerators with removable drain plugs, remove plug and force

warm water mixed with baking soda through the drain. A meat baster

works well.

-- Wipe down jars, bottles and containers before returning to

refrigerator.

-- The defrost drip pan underneath the refrigerator is out of sight, so

special effort must be made to clean it. Remove it and wash thoroughly

with warm, soapy water.

-- Vacuum condenser coils two to six times a year (more often in homes

with pets).

What Causes Odors in Refrigerators?

-- Foods stored uncovered or wrapped improperly

-- Poor maintenance -- spills not wiped up right away

-- Foods left in the refrigerator too long

-- Power or mechanical failure that causes food spoilage

-- Cleaning agents which leave a strong chemical or fragrant odor

Different Ways to Remove Odors

-- Wash interior walls thoroughly with a solution of two tablespoons of

baking soda to one quart warm water.

-- Pour box of baking soda in jelly-roll pan and place on shelves to

absorb odors.

-- Buy activated charcoal (available at pet stores and hardware stores),

spread onto jelly-roll pans, and place on shelves inside the running

refrigerator.

-- Place freshly ground coffee in cereal bowls inside the running

refrigerator for several days. A slight coffee odor may remain but

will disappear after washing the inside of the refrigerator.

-- While the refrigerator is running, pack each refrigerator shelf with

crumpled newspaper. Set a cup of water on the top shelf, or sprinkle

the newspapers lightly with water. This method takes five to six days,

but strong odors will be eliminated.

-- There are several commercial products available for odor removal. Some

may not rid the odor, but simply mask it while others are not safe for

use around food. Read product labels carefully to determine if a

cleaner or deodorizer is safe to use in a refrigerator; then follow

instructions for use carefully.

How to Prevent Odor Problems:

-- Discard refrigerated leftovers, vegetables and dairy products that are

beyond safe-keeping. They can create odor problems if left too long.

-- Promptly wipe up any spills that occur.

-- Clean refrigerator out every two weeks.

For more cleaning tips, recipes using common leftovers and food storage lifetimes, send for Whirlpool's complimentary brochure, "Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day." Send a self-addressed, business-size envelope to Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, 2000 N. M-63, Maildrop 4300, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Or, for personalized attention to your cleaning problem, e-mail Whirlpool's Doctor of Refrigeratorology at doctor@whirlpool.com. Additional refrigerator information will also be available on the Internet at http://www.whirlpool.com.

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Mich., the company manufactures in 13 countries and markets products under 11 major brand names in more than 170 countries.