I just checked the manual that came with my new fridge...no where does it recommend that the ice maker be cleaned periodically. Heh.
The icemaker itself, if not fondled by humans or roaches, should be fine.
The bucket, however... minimum, once a week, unless your troops are disciplined enough to ONLY use the door mech and never stick their filthy mitts in the bucket to get ice.
Use bleach.
I notice I've gotten pissier about this since I lost my spleen and have a compromised immune system. ;)
/johnny
I just put in a new toilet. No where did it recommend that the toilet be cleaned periodically. But I knows how anyways.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TOILET: INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put the lid of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a “power-wash” and rinse.”
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the house, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.
Not sure how well this would work with an ice machine.
Your icemaker doesn’t store large quantities of ice in a fixed holding bin. The crud builds up on the upper part of the bin, above the ice. You won’t see it just looking at the ice.