When it comes to refrigerators, they aren’t cheap to buy or repair. But, they’re essential in every household. Despite the hefty price tag, they’re not all that resistant to blemishes like scratches. Not only is this unsightly for the fridge, but it detracts from the overall beauty of a well decorated and furnished kitchen. Thankfully, some marks, stains, and scratches can be removed from the surface with cost effective solutions. In this article, I’m going to share my strategy on how to remove scratches from a refrigerator.
The goal is to eliminate scratches completely or minimize their appearance. At the same time, we want to restore the overall shine of the surface.
Here’s what you’ll need to remove scratches from a refrigerator:
- Microfiber cloth
- Soft cloth
- Gentle soap
- Water
- Baking soda
- Toothpaste (non-gel)
- Scratch remover products
- Wet sandpaper (for stainless fridges)
For light scratches, you should have no problem erasing them with the resources mentioned above.
But, deeper scratches may require a more abrasive approach. This should be possible with stainless steel refrigerators, but those that are painted different colors will have to be repainted and refinished.
Please do not sandpaper these fridges unless you take this into consideration.
Step-by-Step Instructions On Removing Scratches From A Fridge
Step 1: Clean and prepare the surface
The only way to accurately assess the depth of scratches is to clean the surface of the refrigerator.
Any dirt, dust, debris, or grease can be removed by mixing a gentle soap or cleaner into water and wiping down the surface of the refrigerator using the microfiber cloth.
The reason we use this type of cloth is to avoid scratching the fridge further.
Once you’ve soaped and wiped down the entire refrigerator, wash and wring out the cloth before wiping down the refrigerator again to remove any residual soap or water.
Step 2: Assess the damage
Once you have an unobstructed view of the scratches, rub your fingers over them to determine whether they are shallow or deep.
Depending on the depth and visibility of the scratches, you may need to use a scratch removal product, or you can skip ahead and use just toothpaste or baking soda to lighten or remove the scratches.
Step 3: Use a scratch remover
After cleaning the refrigerator, if the scratches on it appear quite visible or if they feel deep, you should use an automotive scratch remover.
These products are designed to buff out scratches just like this.
Apply the recommended amount to the soft cloth and rub it into the scratch areas, working it in using a circular motion.
Don’t apply too much pressure or force while rubbing down the scratches because this can cause damage to the refrigerator.
Keep working in the product, stopping intermittently to view the results, until the scratches are barely visible or no longer visible at all.
Thereafter, remove any residual product from the fridge using a wet, clean cloth.
Step 4: Use baking soda and water
For shallow scratches that are barely visible, baking soda can be all that you need to remove them and clean your fridge. Baking soda is universally known for being a wonderful remover of dirt, grime, stains, and even scratches.
Simply mix a paste of three parts baking soda with one part water.
The consistency should look a lot like toothpaste, ironically.
Rub it gently onto the scratches, using a circular motion. Be gentle but consistent while working with baking soda.
After a minute or so of this, use a damp cloth to wipe away the baking soda paste. This should reduce or remove those shallow scratches from your refrigerator altogether.
Step 5: Use sandpaper
As mentioned earlier, this approach will work effectively at sanding down and removing scratches from refrigerators, but it’s limited to stainless steel surfaces.
If you were to use this method on any other type of surface, especially painted surfaces, it may damage them.
You’ll end up having to completely repaint and refinish your fridge. So, please, be careful before exploring the use of sandpaper.
What you’ll need is super fine grit sandpaper that is typically used to sand down surfaces. Wet it and then sand down the scratches, following the grain.
The last part is important.
Don’t use a circular motion to sand down the surface of your fridge. Be gentle with your approach and stop as soon as you notice that the scratch has been lightened or removed.
Step 6: Shine and buff
Once you’ve lightened or removed the scratches, give your entire fridge a good wipe down or shine using a dry microfiber cloth and an accompanying product if you have access to any.
This can renew the entire appearance of your refrigerator and conceal some of those stubborn light scratches that couldn’t be removed entirely.
Remember, prevention is better than cure, and regular cleaning is a great way to prevent further blemishes and damage to your refrigerator.
Alternative Step: Use toothpaste
As we know, toothpaste was designed to clean our teeth, but it can actually work to remove certain marks and scratches from other surfaces due to the mild abrasive used in its formulation.
In the event that you don’t have baking soda or access to a scratch removal product, try applying a small amount of toothpaste to the scratches.
Using a circular motion, run it gently over the scratches for a few minutes. Thereafter, wipe away the toothpaste with a damp cloth.
If the scratches were light enough, it should be enough to remove them from your refrigerator.
Final Thoughts
It never ceases to amaze me how the use of everyday household items can extend all the way to the removal of marks and scratches from appliances.
As much as scratches on a refrigerator can be unattractive, you can do something about it without breaking the bank.
Try the solutions mentioned above before you proceed to refinish or replace your refrigerator. You may be surprised at what you’re able to do with just 30 minutes of work.
Remember, be gentle. The last thing you want to do is cause more damage by applying too much force or pressure while cleaning.
With a bit of patience and the right products, I’m pretty certain you can improve the appearance of your refrigerator.
That brings us to the end of this article on how to remove scratches from a refrigerator. I hope you find it to be helpful and easy to follow. If you did, then be sure to check out some of our other articles linked below.
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