Why Do I Have a Fuzzy Coating on My Ice Maker Bin?

Frost Buildup

• Frost builds up in all freezers although modern models generally have a self-defrosting feature that draws extra moisture out of the air in the appliance to reduce frost buildup. If you have an older refrigerator, it may not have this feature; alternatively, if you have a newer model with this problem, the self-defrosting feature is most likely not working properly and should be inspected by a repair technician.

Frost Removal

• To remove the frost from your ice cube bin, first pull it out then turn off the ice maker. Wash out the bin with warm, soapy water then rinse and dry it thoroughly before putting it back in the freezer. If the ice maker unit itself has frost on it or there is frost on frozen foods, pull out all of the items in the freezer then defrost the compartment by turning it off until the frost melts. Place an old towel inside of the freezer to collect the melting water from the frost then wipe down the freezer compartment completely before restoring power to the appliance.

Mold

• If there is dark-colored fuzz on your ice cube bin, the likely suspect is mold and an indication that the freezer is not cold enough and is somehow letting in air and spores from outside. After you clean the mold away, you’ll need to check the seals on the freezer door for any tears or damage and make sure the temperature is low enough to kill any remaining bacteria. The freezer temperature should be between 35 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. If mold reappears, call an appliance repair professional to replace any seals or ice maker components if necessary.

Mold Removal

• Getting rid of mold takes a little more work than removing frost. Before tackling the job, put on a respirator mask and goggles to avoid inhaling any mold spores. Remove all items in the freezer that are covered with mold or in contact with it. Dispose of all food or ice cubes if they have mold on them. Wash out the ice cube bin in hot water then soak it in a solution of 1 cup bleach and a gallon of water for 15 minutes. Rinse the bin, dry it thoroughly then replace it in the freezer compartment. Clean the inside of the freezer and the door seals with the same bleach solution.