How To Deep Clean Your Refrigerator: 7 Expert Tips To Follow

The refrigerator is essential for keeping our food fresh and our drinks cold. However, many people forget how important it is to clean it properly. Wiping up spills with a damp paper towel is good for daily cleaning, but regular deep cleaning is recommended. In this guide, we will share expert advice on how often to deep clean your refrigerator, provide easy step-by-step instructions, and suggest ways to eliminate and prevent bad odors.

We have collected the tips from Taylor Tobin, Food & Beverage Writer, and the author of southernliving.com

What is Deep Cleaning The Fridge?

A deep cleaning is different from regular cleaning because it takes more time and covers more areas. Cleaning expert Karen Barrigan from Housetastic recommends doing routine maintenance on your fridge every week or day. This includes disinfecting the door handle and wiping the surfaces. It’s also a good idea to rotate food items as they get older to prevent spoilage. Remember to clean the lids of containers and put paper towels under items that may leak.

In contrast, deep cleaning means doing more work. This involves emptying the refrigerator, scrubbing the inside thoroughly—including the shelves and bins—cleaning the outside, and making sure the floor under, behind, and around the fridge is completely clean.

How Often To Deep Clean Your Fridge

According to Barrigan, it is advisable to perform deep cleaning of refrigerators several times throughout the year. For a standard refrigerator, conducting a deep clean every three to four months is typically sufficient.

However, for refrigerators equipped with built-in water and ice dispensers, more frequent cleaning may be beneficial. The inclusion of a water line can introduce additional moisture, creating environments where mold spores could thrive, as noted by indoor air quality expert Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse. Therefore, it is recommended that refrigerators with water or ice dispensers undergo deep cleaning at least every two months to maintain optimal hygiene.

What to Do Before Getting Started

Before starting the cleaning process, it’s essential to have a reliable place to keep your food cold. Begin by unplugging the refrigerator and carefully removing all food and beverage items from the shelves, bins, and compartments. This presents an excellent opportunity to review the expiration dates on your refrigerated items and dispose of any that are no longer safe for consumption.

As you set these items on your counters, consider using a dish cloth or a paper towel to wipe down the containers and eliminate any residue from bottle tops and jar lids. If you have perishable items that need to stay cold during the cleaning process, such as meat, dairy, or medications, arranging a cooler in the kitchen for their temporary storage would be a prudent approach.

While it may be tempting to use bleach or harsher chemical cleaners, many experts advise against this choice, as it can potentially damage the refrigerator’s surfaces and, more importantly, pose health risks by releasing harmful toxins into food. Instead, consider using gentle dish soap along with food-safe pantry items like white vinegar and baking soda. These alternatives can effectively clean the refrigerator’s interior while ensuring both safety and structural integrity.

What You Need:

• Clean water
• Baking soda
• Rags or dishcloths
• Sponge
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Dish soap
• Towels or microfiber cloths
• Stainless steel cleaner (if your fridge is made of stainless steel)
• Vacuum

How To Deep Clean Your Fridge – 7 Expert Tips

Step 1: Turn off or Unplug the Fridge

Most of the time, when we say “turn off the power,” we really mean to unplug the appliance. “Since you’re working with water during cleaning, it’s super important to keep things safe by turning off all power before you start scrubbing,” shares Kathy Cohoon, the operations manager at Two Maids.

Step 2: Remove all Foods, Shelves, and Drawers

First, take everything out of the refrigerator. Remove the shelves and bins so you can get ready for a good scrub! Maria Lvanova, the founder of Master Maid, suggests that cleaning those removable parts separately makes the job a lot easier. Plus, you can easily fit many of the shelves and drawers into your kitchen sink for a thorough wash.

Before you dive in, let the shelves and drawers sit out for a bit to reach room temperature. This way, you won’t risk cracking or splintering any of the plastic or glass with warm water. Once they’re ready, you can wash them with warm water, a gentle dish soap, and a soft sponge or dishcloth. Don’t forget to use towels to dry everything off thoroughly afterward.

Step 3: Scrub the Interior With Water, White Vinegar, Dish Soap, and Baking Soda

Start by mixing some warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap to create a gentle cleaning solution. Grab a clean dish rag or a soft sponge, soak it in your soapy mix, and wipe down the inside of your fridge. Make sure to pay extra attention to any spills or stains—those can really add up! If you come across a stubborn spot, no worries! Just whip up a little paste with baking soda and water, and scrub it gently with your rag until the stain lifts away.

For a disinfecting boost without using bleach or harsh chemicals, mix one part white vinegar with two parts hot water in a spray bottle. Give the inside of your fridge a good spray and then wipe it down with a dry dishcloth.

Once everything is sparkling clean, you can pop the drawers and shelves back in place. Oh, and for a little extra freshness, consider placing an open box of baking soda in the back corner of your fridge’s top shelf—it’s a great way to keep odors at bay!

Step 4: Wipe Down the Rubber Gasket With A Dishcloth and Warm Water

Don’t forget about the rubber seal (or gasket) around your fridge door during your cleaning routine! It’s easy to overlook, but as expert Barrigan points out, “the folds on the door seals can collect crumbs and debris” and even grow mold or mildew if left unattended. By adding a simple gasket wipe to your fridge deep clean, you can “help keep the seal tight, allowing your fridge to work at its best.”

The great news is that this part of the cleaning process is super easy! Just “wipe the gasket down with a damp cloth” to get rid of any food particles and dust, says Samantha Radford, PhD, an exposure scientist and writer at Evidence-Based Mommy. She recommends sticking to warm, clean water and avoiding any harsh cleaning agents like vinegar or bleach, as they can actually harm the gasket and make your fridge less efficient.

Step 5: Clean the Outside With Dish Soap Or Stainless Steel Cleaner

When it comes to cleaning your fridge, the method you choose really depends on its material! If you have a standard fridge with a plastic exterior, a simple solution is to grab a cloth dampened with some warm, soapy water. Jennifer Rodriguez, the chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers, suggests this method for a sparkling clean finish. Once you’ve wiped down the outside, just dry it off with a microfiber cloth for that extra shine!

Now, if your fridge is rocking a stainless steel look, you’ll want to use a dedicated stainless steel cleaner instead of the soapy water. And don’t forget about those often-overlooked spots! Make sure to give the top of the fridge a good wipe too – it can gather quite a bit of dust over time. Happy cleaning!

Step 6: Vacuum the Coils and Clean the Floor Under and Around the Fridge

Before reconnecting the refrigerator, it is advisable to vacuum the coils, which are typically located on the back of the appliance. Cleaning the floor area beneath and around the fridge is also important. Utilizing a powerful vacuum with a hose attachment can effectively clean the back coils and the grate at the bottom of the fridge, as noted by Cohoon. While you have the vacuum handy, it would be beneficial to also remove any food particles, dust, and debris from the surrounding floor space to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.

Step 7: Clean the Water Line

This step is particularly relevant for refrigerators equipped with built-in dispensers for water and ice. While these features are widely appreciated for their convenience, they may increase the likelihood of mold growth due to the flow of water into the appliance. To minimize the risk of mold, it is advisable to clean the water line at least once every six months.

To begin this process, disconnect the water line and the ice maker line from the refrigerator, ensuring that any water within the lines is drained. Next, fill both the water line and ice maker line with white vinegar, allowing it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. It may be helpful to secure the lines in an upright position against the back of the fridge. If an ice machine is present, turning it on will help the vinegar circulate through the system.

Afterward, pour out the vinegar and thoroughly rinse the lines with water. It’s also a good idea to change the water filter at this stage. Finally, reconnect the water line, restore the power, and turn the water valve back on. To ensure all vinegar is removed from the lines, please run the water dispenser several times and consider discarding the first few batches of ice produced.

How To Keep Your Refrigerator Cleaner For Longer

We all know how quickly a clean fridge can turn into a chaotic mess! Just a few nights of takeout and an open gallon of milk can lead to spills and odors. To keep your fridge looking fresh between those deep cleans, here are some friendly tips you can try out:

1. Weekly Check-Up: Take a few moments each week to check expiration dates. Toss out anything that’s past its prime, like old takeout boxes, expired food, or last week’s leftovers. It’s a quick way to keep things tidy!

2. Wipe It Down: About twice a month, give the shelves a little love. Wipe up any spills or sticky jars to keep everything neat and clean.

3. Prep Before Stashing: Before you pop something in the fridge, make sure it’s clean and in a sturdy container that won’t spill. This little step can make a big difference!

4. Get Organized: Consider using organizers and bins to create designated spots for all your fridge items. Not only does this make it easier to find what you need, but it also helps prevent things from getting knocked over and creating a mess.

With just a little bit of effort, you can keep your fridge sparkling and inviting!