My ice maker started acting up yesterday - spitting out cloudy cubes that tasted funky. Realized I hadn't cleaned this beast in ages, but had zero clue where to start. Here's exactly how I handled it step by step.

The Gross Discovery

Noticed black specks in my morning smoothie. Totally freaked me out. Stuck my phone flashlight into the freezer and poked around. Slimy pinkish gunk stuck in the crevices. Real nasty. Figured the generic vinegar trick wouldn't cut it anymore.

The Online Scramble

Hopped online searching "ice machine cleaning service near me" like crazy. First results sucked - appliance repair shops that didn't mention cleaning. Changed tactics:

• Searched "commercial ice machine cleaning + [My Town]
• Checked map apps for local food equipment servicers
• Added "certified" & "eco-friendly" later after seeing sketchy listings

Big tip: Don't just click first ads! Scrolled past promoted junk and found legit specialists buried on page two.

The Phone Tag Hassle

Called three places Monday morning. Two went straight to voicemail. Third dude picked up but sounded half-asleep. Got hit with:

• "We service the area but need a service contract" (too much commitment)
• "Can do next week for $300 minimum" (outrageous)
• "We'll call back with quote" (never did)

Changed my approach - searched specifically for "residential ice machine cleaning". Found a mom-and-pop shop advertising one-time cleanings! Bingo.

The Actual Fix

Their tech showed up Tuesday. Guy named Rob rolled up in a van stocked with brushes and food-safe cleaner. Watched him dismantle my machine piece by piece:

1. Scrubbed mold out of water lines with tube brushes
2. Pressure-washed the evaporator plates full of crusty minerals
3. Sanitized every surface with hospital-grade stuff smelling like lemons

Took him under an hour. Cost me $95 flat rate - way less than the quotes others threw around.

Hard Lessons Learned

1. Commercial services will rip you off unless you specifically ask for small residential jobs.
2. Skip big chain appliance stores. Their "cleaning" is just dumping tablets in - doesn't fix sludge buildup.
3. Demand up-front pricing. Any place that avoids telling costs on the phone will hose you later.

Machine now runs quieter and makes crystal clear ice. Totally worth the hunt. Pro tip: Set phone reminders to clean every 6 months so you never deal with that slime disaster again.