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Cleaning Refrigerators: Try These Easy Fridge-Cleaning Tips

Marc McCollough

By Marc McCollough
Updated November 19, 2024

Cleaning a refrigerator regularly helps reduce odors, prevent mold growth and gives you a chance to get rid of old leftovers and out-of-date food. Fridge cleaning isn’t difficult with the right preparation and process. We’ll give you easy tips for how to clean a fridge.

How Often to Clean a Refrigerator

As a general rule, you should clean your refrigerator about every three months. This might sound like a lot but frequent cleaning has several benefits:

  • Cleaning a refrigerator periodically reduces the opportunity for mold and bacteria growth.
  • Regular refrigerator cleaning lets you deal with dirt, leaks and spills before they become major messes that are difficult to clean.
  • Cleaning out a refrigerator every few months gives you good opportunities to check expiration dates and get rid of expired food.
  • Quarterly cleaning of a refrigerator helps reduce odors that transfer to your food.
  • Cleaning old food from your refrigerator maximizes your fresh food storage space.

There are other times when you might need to clean a refrigerator:

  • If a spill or leak has spread before you noticed it, the entire refrigerator may need cleaning.
  • If you’re planning on hosting a dinner, cleaning out the refrigerator gives you space for the food and keeps the appliance looking its best.
  • If a food item in your refrigerator has been recalled, cleaning the refrigerator after disposing of the recalled item helps minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

How to Clean a Refrigerator

Before cleaning your refrigerator, check the appliance manual for cleaning steps specific to your refrigerator, including the types of cleaning products you should and shouldn’t use. There should also be instructions for taking out any removable parts to make cleaning easier. If you don’t have the manual handy, you should be able to find the document or cleaning instructions on the manufacturer’s website. We’ve got general instructions for cleaning a refrigerator but always follow the specific instructions for your model.

Good to Know

While this article covers cleaning a refrigerator, cleaning a freezer is similar. See our article, How to Clean a Freezer, for step-by-step instructions.

Refrigerator Cleaning Supplies

Before you start, make sure you’ve got all the supplies you need.

Refrigerator Cleaners

Check any cleaners against those specified by the refrigerator manufacturer:

  • All-purpose household cleaners are effective for a refrigerator exterior if they’re safe for your surface. Follow the product instructions and precautions.
  • Dish soap sprays make it easy to clean many surfaces on the refrigerator interior and exterior.
  • Mild liquid dish soap and hot water creates a good, sudsy do-it-yourself refrigerator cleaning solution for the interior and exterior.
  • A 1-to-1 solution of vinegar and water is another good DIY refrigerator cleaner and is helpful for breaking down tough stains.
  • Mixing a couple of tablespoons of baking soda with 8 ounces of hot water gives you a refrigerator cleaner that helps scrub away tough grime and reduces odors.

Refrigerator Cleaning Tools

As with cleaners, make sure your cleaning tools are safe for the refrigerator surfaces.

  • Cleaning pads let you clean grime from many surfaces.
  • Paper towels are good for wiping down the refrigerator and for cleaning up any drips or spills.
  • Microfiber towels give you washable, reusable cleaning cloths.
  • Sponges are another handy type of cleaning tool for refrigerators.
  • A spray bottle lets you apply a homemade cleaning solutions. Just make sure you label it with the solution you’re using.
  • A toothbrush lets you scrub tight spaces in the refrigerator.
  • Cleaning gloves protect your hands.
  • A long-handled dusting wand and a vacuum are necessary if you'll be cleaning the coils.

Other Refrigerator Cleaning Supplies

In addition, don’t forget these supplies:

  • Trash bags to collect old or expired food.
  • Coolers and ice or ice packs give you storage space to keep fresh food cool while you clean the refrigerator.
  • A drop cloth helps keep your kitchen floor clean while you work.

Caution

Harsh and abrasive cleaners and abrasive cleaning tools are not typically suitable for cleaning a refrigerator. For example, don’t use bleach unless the manufacturer recommends a bleach solution.

Get Ready for Refrigerator Cleaning

  1. Unplug the refrigerator. If you can’t easily access the plug, find the breaker switch the for the refrigerator circuit and turn it off. Make sure the appliance is off before cleaning.
  2. Remove food, drinks, condiments, etc. from the refrigerator and dispose of food that’s past the expiration date. Store the food you’re keeping in the coolers.
  3. With the refrigerator empty, take a picture of the arrangement of the shelves, drawers etc.
  4. Carefully take out removable shelves and drawers. Set them aside to warm to room temperature.
  5. Place a drop cloth on the floor in front of the refrigerator.

Clean the Refrigerator Interior, Shelves and Drawers

  1. Starting at the top of the compartment, wipe down the refrigerator interior with your cleaning solution. Keep your cloth or sponge damp, but not dripping wet and avoid getting liquid inside light fixtures and other electrical components.
  2. Pay particular attention to corners where dirt and grim can become trapped. Also make sure you clean the brackets, slides or tracks for your shelves and drawers.
  3. The bottom of the refrigerator might need special attention since crumbs and spills collect there.
  4. Try the vinegar solution for stains and the baking soda mixture for stuck-on food or spills or if there are lingering odors in the interior.
  5. If you notice small areas of mold, clean them with undiluted vinegar and a soft cloth. Don’t use the cloth on other areas of the refrigerator. Wash the cloth to prevent the risk of spreading mold spores.
  6. Use the dish soap mixture to clean the gasket around the refrigerator door. The gasket can trap dirt, mold and odors.
  7. Once you’ve finished cleaning the refrigerator interior, use a cloth dampened with water to wipe away any residue from the cleaning solution. Dry the interior thoroughly with a soft cloth.
  8. Once the drawers and shelves are at room temperature, clean these parts. You may be able to wash them in your sink with dish soap and hot water.
  9. Rinse and dry the shelves and drawers thoroughly.

Tip

Check your manual to see how to access your refrigerator drip pan. Remove, empty and clean it, if necessary. Be sure to replace it before turning the refrigerator back on.

Clean the Outside of the Refrigerator

  1. Clean the outer surface of the refrigerator. Your manual has tips for cleaners that are right for the finish. For example, if you’ve got a stainless steel refrigerator, you may need a stainless steel cleaner. Take a look at our guide, How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances for additional tips on cleaning stainless steel.
  2. If you have in-door ice and water dispensers, clean the dispenser area.
  3. Clean the door handles with a soft cloth and soapy water.
  4. Now is a good time to clean the grille at the bottom of the refrigerator (if equipped) and the condenser coils. Your manual has instructions to help you locate and clean the coils.
  5. Don’t forget to clean the top of the refrigerator.

Replace the Food and Plug in the Refrigerator

  1. Once everything is clean and dry, reinstall the shelves and drawers, using the picture you took as a reference.
  2. Plug the refrigerator in or turn the breaker back on.
  3. When the refrigerator interior reaches the correct temperature, restock it with your fresh food.
  4. Clean and dry your coolers.

Tips for Keeping a Refrigerator Clean

There are things you can do to make quarterly refrigerator cleaning as easy as possible. Your manual has suggestions, but here are a few ideas for how to keep a refrigerator clean:

  • Follow food-safe procedures from the product packaging.
  • Clean up spills as soon as you find them and check the shelves and drawers below the spill.
  • Keep an eye on expiration dates and dispose of out-of-date food as soon as possible.
  • Don’t let leftovers linger. Dispose of them as necessary.
  • Use food-safe plastic bins to organize food. Basket-style organizers are good for produce while solid organizers can contain potential spills.

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