A newspaper

Some cardboard box or milk crates

Lots of counter space

Non-toxic cleaning supplies: white vinegar, baking soda, mild dish washing soap

Some old clean towels

A vacuum, if you're really good

A sponge mop

1/2-2 hours, depending on the thickness of the ice

Wear rubber soled shoes. Not only will they give you traction on a wet floor, they'll prevent the transference of electric shocks.

Don't use an ice pick or screwdriver to gouge out the ice. At best, you'll mar the interior of your freezer; at worst you'll chisel through a coolant line, releasing a toxic gas into the environment while rendering your freezer useless.

Since your freezer is now fresh and gleaming, consider attacking the inside of the fridge and the exterior surfaces. Heck, while you're at it, drag the whole unit away from the wall, vacuum up those dust bunnies and mop up the grime.

For the overall health of your appliance: Periodically remove the grate or screen that shields the compressor and fan (usually located at the very top or bottom of the unit). Remove the thick accumulated dust with a vacuum nozzle. That'll allow for free air flow, lessening the strain on the motor.

2torial #0451: Learn2 Defrost a Freezer The Iceman Cometh...to YOUR freezer! Can't dismantle that lima bean igloo? Tired of shaving whiskers off of your ice cream sundaes? Maybe it's time to defrost the freezer. Believe it or not, initiating freezer meltdown before the stalagmites bar your way accomplishes a couple of things: it saves you energy and freezer space, and frees you from confusing leftover lasagna with lentil soup. Besides, defrosting a freezer with a half inch of snow is preferable to tackling a glacier cap. Empty the freezer. Wrap up the frozen food several layers of newspaper, then pack them tightly in a cardboard box or milk crate (the tighter the pack, the colder it keeps). Store the box in as cool a place as you can muster. Shut down...then open up With the temperature control knob, found in the freezer (or sometimes the refrigerator) compartment, turn off the juice to the freezer. Or, unplug the refrigerator. Then prop open the door and secure it so it can't whack you in the head. Protect your floor Layer some old towels on the floor in front of the freezer to catch the snow. Roll up another towel and place it at the edge of the freezer floor along the rubber door seal. This will help prevent the melting ice from pouring onto the floor. Jumpstart the process Put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a brisk boil. Carefully place the steaming pot in the freezer, dribbling a bit of the hot water onto the freezer floor if it's particularly ice-bound. Move the pot around the perimeter of the freezer so the steam can help melt the walls and ceiling. Reboil the pot of water as needed. Dislodge the ice After the steam has a chance to seep under the ice, try using your bare hands to pry it off the walls and ceiling. If the ice is too thick and dense, though, take one of the smaller towels. Soak the towel in water as hot as you can stand and drench the icy surfaces. Repeat the soak and drench routine until you get down to the bare surfaces, soaking up the excess as necessary. If your refrigerator has a drip tray (located directly under the freezer unit), empty it periodically to prevent deluges from flowing down the front of the fridge. Wash up Technically, you're done. But you may want to use this opportunity to wash your freezer's interior. Solutions of white vinegar and water or baking soda and water will not only remove residue but odors as well. For stubborn areas, use the baking soda like a scouring powder or mix with enough water to make a stiff paste. Rinse, if necessary, and dry with a clean towel. Restart your engine After you've made sure everything is dry, plug the refrigerator back in and return the thermostat to its proper position. Remove the newspaper wrappings from the food items (they should still be frozen solid) and repack the freezer. -end- Learn More!