Yes, you can use Clorox to clean your fridge, but it is best reserved for deep cleaning, disinfecting, or eliminating stubborn odors. Because bleach is harsh, always remove your food first and dilute it properly (e.g., 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water) to avoid damaging plastic surfaces or leaving behind strong odors.
3. What should you not clean a fridge with? Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach inside the fridge, as they can leave strong odors and aren't safe for food storage areas.
Spray the interior of the refrigerator with a non-abrasive, degreasing cleaner to help kill mold, mildew and germs. You can also dip a clean sponge or cloth in a mild detergent mixed with warm water, white vinegar or a mix of baking soda and hot water. Spray or wipe the walls, door and permanent shelves.
The best way to disinfect your fridge is to first clean it with a safe DIY solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part warm water, or hot soapy water. For true disinfection—especially after raw meat contamination—wipe surfaces with a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 gallon of water.
Contrary to social media trends, Bell says it's not a good idea to clean the inside of your fridge with bleach. “Most appliance manufacturers urge against the use of bleach for cleaning the fridge, as it can harm the materials of the fridge interior and can be a safety risk if transferred to food,” she says.
Use a gentle cleaner like Dawn dish soap + a microfiber cloth. Do it before your weekly grocery trip so you know what you have and your fridge isn't packed. Line drawers with paper towels after cleaning to keep them fresh longer (THIS IS A GAME CHANGER!)
The Amish generally use propane (gas) refrigerators, solar-powered appliances, or traditional iceboxes stocked with harvested pond ice. Because their Ordnung (community rules) forbid direct connection to the public electrical grid, they rely on alternative energy and low-tech cooling solutions to keep food fresh.
USE A SOLUTION OF 1 TABLESPOON OF LIQUID BLEACH IN 1 GALLON OF WATER TO SANITIZE YOUR REFRIGERATOR. DO THIS AFTER CLEANING IT WITH HOT, SOAPY WATER.
Clean the Refrigerator Interior
Fill a spray bottle with a cleaning solution of two tablespoons baking soda and a quart of hot water. Apply the fridge-cleaning spray to all interior surfaces of the appliance, including the walls, non-removable shelves and the inside of the door. Wipe with a sponge or microfiber cloth.
Use Lysol® All-purpose Cleaner or Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes to help clean the sink and surrounding surfaces. When used as directed, both products kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. The fridge needs to be deep cleaned at least once a month. Wipe down the shelves using a disinfectant cleaner.
No matter how tidy your fridge is, there's probably something in there that should be thrown out. Examples include condiments that have been opened for over 12 months, leftovers older than 4 days, and fresh meat and seafood past their prime.
Yes, you can use bleach to clean a fridge—but only for sanitizing and removing mold, and it must be heavily diluted (1 tbsp of bleach per gallon of water). Because bleach is harsh and can damage plastic or leave strong odors, many manufacturers recommend it only for deep sanitization.
8 mistakes to avoid when deep cleaning your fridge
The best and safest way to clean the inside of your fridge is using a simple mix of distilled white vinegar, warm water, and a drop of mild dish soap. This DIY solution cuts through grime, neutralizes food odors, and is 100% food-safe.
Yes, bleach can permanently ruin stainless steel. Its active ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, is a harsh chemical that breaks down the metal's protective chromium oxide layer. Stripping this layer leaves the surface vulnerable to permanent discoloration, dullness, pitting (small holes), and rust.
What to use to clean a fridge. There are a variety of household cleaning products that you can use to help refresh your refrigerator, including dishwashing soap, warm water and a vinegar solution. Be sure to check your owner's manual for any cleaning instructions to avoid using products that may harm your fridge.
How to clean a mini fridge. Start by unplugging it and removing all the contents. Wipe down the interior with Clorox™ Free & Clear Cleaning Wipes, paying extra attention to any spills or stains.
Vinegar/Water spray. Or Lemon Juice/Water spray. Wipe away with damp cloth.
Empty the entire refrigerator, checking expiration dates and wiping down sticky jars. Remove all shelves and drawers, and wash them with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the empty interior with a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda in one quart of warm water, then dry completely before restocking.
Yes, but proceed with extreme caution. Fabuloso is a multi-surface cleaner that can be used on plastic and acrylic, but its strong perfume easily absorbs into food. If you use it, you must heavily dilute it and wipe the fridge down thoroughly with clean water to prevent your food from tasting like chemicals.
Tips for Cleaning Your Fridge
You can disinfect without bleach by first removing germs with a soap-based cleaner, then using natural disinfecting options like hydrogen peroxide, steam, or oxygen-based bleach when needed.
Pure honey and raw or refined salt never expire. Both lack the moisture and hospitable environment that bacteria and microorganisms need to survive.
Studies show that fridges can contain pathogens, likely to have been introduced previously via food or packaging that may have been contaminated. While cold temperatures stops many bacteria from growing, some – like Listeria monocytogenes – can survive and even multiply in low temperatures.