How to clean your fridge inside and out
By Kristy Snyder•Last updated Sep 8, 2023
Last updated Sep 8, 2023
Table of Contents
- What you’ll need
- Step 1: Prep your fridge
- Step 2: Clean the interior
- Step 3: Brush the coils
- Step 4: Tackle the shelves, trays, and drawers
- Step 5: Put it all back together
- Step 6: Wipe down the door and door seals
- Step 7: Clean the fridge's exterior
- Refrigerator cleaning mistakes to avoid
- How often should you clean your fridge?
- Thumbtack can help you clean and fix your fridge
- FAQs
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Even the most meticulously kept refrigerators sometimes require a good deep cleaning. Spilled dairy products, leftover crumbs, and even grease from your fingers can make your fridge messy and smelly.
Use this guide to learn how to clean a fridge so it looks and smells great.
What you’ll need
Before you get started, make sure you have the following cleaning products and tools on hand:
- Dishwashing liquid
- Hot water
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Soft sponge and/or microfiber cloth
- Large basin or sink
- Clean towels
- Long-handled brush or coil cleaning brush
- Bucket
- Stainless steel cleaner (if your exterior is stainless steel)
- Gloves (optional)
- Baking soda (optional)
Step 1: Prep your fridge
First, turn off and unplug your fridge. That way, if you spill any cleaning solution near the outlet, you won’t shock yourself.
After that, empty the fridge completely. This includes taking out all food, shelves, trays, and other removable parts.
Pro tip: To help keep food from spoiling, work quickly. Clean your fridge on a cooler day or when you don’t have many perishables. If you have a second fridge, such as one in your garage, make space for the perishables you remove from your kitchen refrigerator.
Step 2: Clean the interior
The inside of your fridge is likely where hidden stains are easiest to spot, so give this area a good scrubbing.
Fill a bucket with warm water and dish soap, then use a sponge to wipe down the interior walls. If you have a lot of debris, you can even use a vacuum cleaner to suck out crumbs. Dry everything with a clean towel.
Step 3: Brush the coils
Follow these steps to clean your fridge's coils. You’ll need a long-handled brush to gently remove dust and debris.
Step 4: Tackle the shelves, trays, and drawers
Next, clean the glass shelving and trays. Do this toward the end of the process so these items have time to warm to room temperature. That way, they don’t shatter in warm water.
Fill a sink or large basin with hot water and dish soap, then submerge the components. Using a soft sponge or clean cloth, wipe and scrub away stains, residue, and spills. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow the parts to air dry.
Step 5: Put it all back together
Once everything is clean, it’s time to reassemble. Put your shelves and trays back in place, then return all your food.
If you still notice unusual smells, consider adding an open box of baking soda inside the fridge to absorb the odors.
Step 6: Wipe down the door and door seals
Cleaning the fridge door and door seal helps it close tightly, which means it can use less energy to keep your food cold.
Start by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the door and door seal, then wipe it off with a sponge or cloth. Dry the door with a clean cloth.
Step 7: Clean the fridge's exterior
Before cleaning your fridge's exterior, use a soft, damp cloth to remove any loose debris or dirt particles.
Most refrigerators today are made of stainless steel. If yours is, use a stainless steel refrigerator cleaner (there are also DIY stainless steel cleaning solutions). Spray it onto the surface, then wipe along the grain to avoid scratches. For other materials, soapy water works well.
No matter what your fridge is made of, work from top to bottom so you don’t leave drips and streaks. When you’re done, wipe it down with a dry cloth to prevent water spots.
Refrigerator cleaning mistakes to avoid
Learning how to clean a refrigerator is relatively simple, but there are still things you need to watch out for. For example:
- Never use harsh chemicals, bleach, or abrasive cleaners. Not only can these damage surfaces, but they could also get into your food.
- When wiping down your refrigerator, don’t use a cloth that’s soaking wet. Always wring it out a bit so excess water doesn’t drip into critical electrical components.
- Make sure you’re always using fresh, clean cloths and sponges. If you’re using the same sponge you’ve used to wash dishes for the past two weeks, you’re just spreading around bacteria.
- Don’t put spoiled food back into the fridge. It’s a good idea to check expiration dates as you put things back. Toss anything that smells weird or is past its prime. After all, putting spoiled or expired food back into your clean fridge will undo all the progress you’ve made.
How often should you clean your fridge?
As a general guideline, aim to clean your fridge at least once every 3 to 4 months. Consider scheduling a cleaning at the change of every season, for example.
If your fridge gets heavily soiled or has spills and stains, you may need to clean it more often. Do a visual check every week or so for spills, stains, or signs of mold or mildew. If you notice any of these, it’s time to bring out the cleaning supplies.
Thumbtack can help you clean and fix your fridge
Let’s be real: cleaning a fridge isn’t fun. Luckily, there are plenty of pros out there who’d be happy to tackle this project for you.
Find top-rated house cleaners in your area by downloading the Thumbtack app. Ask them whether they offer fridge cleaning as part of their services. And if you think there’s something wrong with your appliance, you can also hire an appliance repair technician to diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix your fridge.
FAQs
Can you use Clorox wipes inside the refrigerator?
It depends on the type of Clorox wipes you choose. Standard Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are not meant to be used on food-contact surfaces. However, Clorox Free & Clear Wipes are specifically designed without dyes, bleach, or ammonia, making them safe to use around food.
Should you turn off the fridge when cleaning?
Yes, you should turn off your fridge when cleaning for a couple of reasons. First, it can help keep you safe in case you drip water onto electrical components inside the fridge.
Second, it’s also more energy-efficient. Your fridge won’t be wasting energy trying to stay cool when you have all of the doors open for an extended period.
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