Pros and Cons of Different Liners for your Fridge Shelving
You probably already know that modern refrigerators are a blessing for food safety compared to the days of Ice Boxes. Can you even imagine bringing in blocks of ice daily or 12 times daily in the Florida summers?
When you know it’s time to tackle cleaning the fridge shelves, you might want to start with our blog post on how to clean your fridge and then come back here for an easy-peasy shelf-lining tutorial.
If you’re anything like me, cleaning fridge shelves, especially the big shelves, can be a pain. The bigger shelves barely fit in most kitchen sinks and then angling the shelves to get them back in the fridge seems to always be a struggle. Don’t even get me started on if they do fit in the kitchen sink, then when you go to rinse them you’re shooting water all over yourself or into the floor if you don’t angle it just properly. But what if I told you that you do not have to struggle anymore with cleaning the dreaded fridge shelving? There is an easier method to keeping your shelving clean and making any spills that happen wipe right off. Don’t believe me that it is even possible? Well, I am here to tell you about all the forms of shelf protector liners you can install in your fridge in a matter of minutes for not a whole bunch of cash either.
Clear Classic Shelf Liners
The most common shelf liners used are clear classic shelf liners.
Pros of Clear Classic Shelf Liners:
- Easy to wipe off when spills happen.
- Relatively inexpensive for the size of the rolls.
- Available in various sizes and sold by the roll.
Cons of Clear Classic Shelf Liners:
- May hold certain stain colors from spills over time.
- Tend to slide around unless taped down or weighted with heavier items.
- Can be purchased at most stores or on Amazon.
Non-Adhesive Shelf Liners
The second commonly used shelf liners are non-adhesive shelf liners.
Pros of Non-Adhesive Shelf Liners:
- Available in tons of patterns to add a pop of color to your fridge.
- Hide stains better than clear liners due to their printed design.
- Thicker than most clear liners.
- Less prone to sliding around compared to clear liners.
- Can be cut down to size.
Cons of Non-Adhesive Shelf Liners:
- Tend to hold odors from lingering food in their fibers.
- Still do not provide a significant amount of grip.
Washable Mats
The third option is washable mats.
Pros of Washable Mats:
- Provide the best grip and prevent sliding when shuffling food around.
- Dishwasher friendly, making cleaning up spills a breeze.
- Do not trap odors due to their rubber material.
- Available in different colors, sizes, and patterns.
- Can be cut down to size.
Cons of Washable Mats:
- Most are sold in piece sets and not individually or by the roll.
Saran Wrap and Press’n Seal
The fourth option, which I am sure you have in the pantry, is Saran Wrap or Press’n Seal.
Pros of Saran Wrap and Press’n Seal:
- Provide a clear aesthetic if desired.
- Press’n Seal is easier to apply and provides better friction.
Cons of Saran Wrap and Press’n Seal:
- Saran Wrap is difficult to apply without bubbles.
- Tend to get pulled up and thrown away after spills, increasing overall spending over time.
All methods listed above will certainly help fridge shelving stay cleaner longer and make cleaning up spills easier. It is just deciding which method you prefer. Personally, I prefer the washable mats—why make more work for myself when I can throw them in the dishwasher to come clean?
Hey, we understand if this all seems like a task you just don’t want to do… You can always contact us for a free quote on all things cleaning and laundry!
If you’re managing an Airbnb, lining the fridge can help streamline the turnover process from guest to guest. Visit our Airbnb cleaning services page for more details. For comprehensive house cleaning, including residential cleaning, check out our residential cleaning services and read our reviews to see what our satisfied customers have to say. If you’re deep cleaning your house, be sure to check out our article on deep cleaning your oven. Whew! Household chores are hard, lol. We’re here if you want a break from them, whether a one-time deep clean or a routine clean.