Are you confused by the persistent puddle that keeping forming underneath your fridge drawers?
You’re not alone, and while it’s irritating not to know the culprit, there’s an easy explanation that has recently gone viral on TikTok. Electrical retailer AO’s video has amassed over 1.6 million views as viewers are enlightened about this common issue.
In the clip, with the caption ‘If you’ve got water gathering at the bottom of your fridge, you need to watch this video’, one of the retailer’s staff members clarifies: “If you’ve got water gathering at the bottom of your crisper drawer, it might be because your drain hole is blocked. Now I know, this isn’t the most exciting topic of conversation but we need to know how to deal with these things, so let me show you how.”
The posted video reveals a typically overlooked hole at the back of the fridge. When it’s blocked, condensation can’t escape, hence the pesky water pool.
Fortunately, the solution is straightforward, requiring just two items—a straw cleaner and a cloth. The straw cleaner, equipped with bristles, is perfect for unclogging that tight spot.
“Once you start cleaning the inside of the drain hole make sure you give it a wipe just to get rid of that excess water and just repeat until nothing further comes out,” advised the AO representative.
They continued: “Once you finish just give everything a wipe down with a bit of spray and you’re good to go.”
It appears this issue has been silently plaguing many, as revealed by social media users. One shared: “Oh my god you have no idea how long this has been happening, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Another expressed gratitude stating: “Thank you for the great advice! I did it and almost puked, but my fridge is now fixed.”
A third chimed in saying: “I was ready to buy a whole new fridge,” and another was surprised: “Wait… a fridge, has a drainhole? ..”
Modern fridges tend to include a tool specifically for cleaning the drain hole, but if yours does not, a simple cotton bud can do the trick.
When in doubt regarding the best method for cleaning, it’s advisable to consult your appliance’s instruction manual for the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedure.