So my Zephyr cooler started getting funky smells last weekend when I opened it for beers. Figured it was time for a deep clean – here’s exactly how I tackled it.
First, I unplugged the damn thing. Safety first, right? Yanked out all the bottles and cans cluttering the shelves. Saw some sticky mystery liquid pooled at the bottom – gross.
Next, I grabbed my cleaning squad: warm water, baking soda, dish soap, microfiber cloths and an old toothbrush. Mixed about two tablespoons baking soda with warm water in a bowl. No fancy cleaners here – kitchen staples work great.
The scrub down
Started by pulling out all the removable shelves and drawers. Dunked them in soapy water and scrubbed every corner with that toothbrush. Found mold spots hiding where the rubber seals meet the glass – nasty! Hit those hard with baking soda paste.
For the interior, I soaked my cloth in the baking soda mix and wiped every surface: walls, ceiling, floor – everywhere. That soda mix kicks odors’ butts! Used a plastic spatula to scrape stubborn gunk off the drainage hole at the bottom.
Final touches
After thorough rinsing:
- Dried every piece with towels – no water spots allowed
- Wiped exterior with damp cloth – fingerprint magnet!
- Left door open 30 minutes for air drying
Pro tips from my mess-ups:
- Clean spillages ASAP – stains set quick
- Deep clean every 2 months
- Leave door cracked when not used long
- Baking soda beats chemical cleaners
Plugged it back in – now humming clean with zero funk. Totally worth two hours of elbow grease!
