Cleaning Mold Under Non-Removable Samsung Fridge Shelf Glass

[lajitasgal]

We took in our 2019 Montana (model 3121 RL) for some repairs & service. I didn't try to block open the residential fridge because it was intermittently plugged in. As a result, it got some mold & mildew inside. I've pretty well managed to clean it up EXCEPT for 2 of the glass shelves. There's grunge under the glass where the frame holds it in place. I can't see any release latches to pull out the and clean both the inner frame & the glass that's under it. Anybody have any bright ideas? I've attached pics of the shelves, showing the whole shelf plus close ups of the grungy parts. (I know - ugh!) I generally keep the trailer really clean so this is,really bugging me. I guess I could soak the shelves in our house bathtub with a bleach solution, but I'd feel better if I can give these a good scrubbing! Thanks in advance.

Martha

 

[Mikendebbie]

From the RF18 owners manual online…

To remove the glass from the plastic frame, locate the shelf's retainer clips. The retainer clips are located on the back left and right corners where the glass meets the white plastic. From the top side (where you'll reinsert them later) they look like small white squares.

5Now, turn the shelf over and find the clips again. You will remove them from this side.

6Each clip has two tabs holding it in place. To remove the clip, push in the tab that is closest to the center of the shelf, while lifting the back corner of the shelf slightly. With enough pressure on the tab, the clip should fall out and the shelf will come loose on that side. Remove the other clip in the same way.

7Once both clips are removed, gently raise the shelf and then separate the glass from the shelf frame.

To reinstall the glass shelf, repeat the previous steps in reverse.

 

[lajitasgal]

Thanks for the response. Apologies- I should have added that I had already looked at the manual and viewed several YouTube videos, and they all refer to clips that I can't find on my shelves. The plastic frames on mine appear to be unremovable, unless I'm just missing something (I'm not the most mechanically inclined). I took the attached additional photo of the front & back of area of the shelf where the manual says clips ought to be. Thanks again!
Martha

 

[lajitasgal]

Thought I'd close the loop on this question, if anyone is interested. I decided to call the Samsung help number, and ended up in an extended text exchange with a very helpful representative. She took lots of time with me, and I submitted a bunch of pictures to help with the process. Turns out she was able to confirm that the glass shelves in our 2018 Samsung RF18 are NOT removable from their plastic frames (even though the manual says they are). She suggested soaking the intact shelves in their frames in very hot soapy water in the bathtub, then rinsing and air drying. I just got through doing that, and the results are OK - not as clean as I'd like, but it beats spending ~$300 to buy 2 new ones! I have them drying in the sun so that may also help a bit.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Your shelf looks like it came out of a Samsung Residential refrigerator. Is that correct. It looks exactly like mine.

For what it's worth, my MHC is a 2019 model with the Samsung. My shelves look identical to yours. I've removed them a few times and attempted to clean also. Like yours, the grungy stuff is on mine too. I've not found a way to release the plastic from the glass. My guess, once the plastic was in place, it's a clip that designed to snap shut and not come apart again.

To clean mine, I use the sprayer on the kitchen sink and spray as best as I can between the glass and the plastic. It doesn't remove everything, but it does remove a lot.

I've never tried soaking in the bathtub (or a large bucket). But pouring bleach into the plastic would clean it up if the bleach can get to it. Then spray it down with a garden hose sprayer or sprayer on your kitchen sink.

 

[lajitasgal]

I did the bathtub soak thing, and it worked pretty well! I ended up using Dawn Powerwash plus Dawn degreasing dish soap instead of bleach. I submerged the shelves totally, and then I gently & carefully pressed on the frames all around to be sure the water was getting under the glass as much as possible. Then I let them soak about an hour. After that I rinsed them thoroughly and let them dry in the sun with the bottom side facing up (that was the grungiest side). They came out pretty clean! NOTE to refrigerator manufacturers - glass shelves need to be easily removable for cleaning!

 

[Mikendebbie]

I think Samsung needs to share their “transporter” technology to explain how they can BEAM that glass panel into the plastic frame, therefore rendering the glass “unremovable”. I need to look at my fridge shelves to see if they are also a product of Samsung transporter technology.

 

[lajitasgal]

Maybe it's kind of like building the house around a piece furniture that won't fit thru the door!

 

[TennTom]

For what its worth, I soaked mine in hot water for a few minutes to get the plastic pliable, then pulled the front from the center and slowly worked it to the edges. Once that is free the glass slides right out. Done that trick a few times. Fell like I am going to break it every time but have been fortunate.