How do you clean a refrigerator without food going bad?

Author: Gaetano Hagenes DDS  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

For regular cleanings (aim for once a month), clearing out expired food and scrubbing with a soapy sponge is all you need. First, remove any removable shelves and drawers. Clean these with hot water and dish soap in the sink, then wipe away excess moisture with a dry cloth (microfiber is great if you have it).

How do you clean a refrigerator without spoiling food?

The most efficient way to clean a fridge is to first remove all of the food and items from the fridge and dispose of any expired or spoiled items. Next, use a mild detergent mixed with warm water to wipe down the interior and exterior of the fridge, paying extra attention to areas that are particularly dirty or sticky.

What is the best thing to clean the inside of a fridge with?

You can clean your fridge with a solution of warm water with a mild detergent or a mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar. You can use this solution to clean the interiors. Pay special attention to areas where spills or stains are present. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub away any residue.

What should you not clean a fridge with?

What should you not clean a fridge with? When cleaning the inside of a fridge, it is best to avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaners such as bleach to prevent damaging the thermal shock tempered glass shelves or degrading any plastic elements.

What is the best product to deep clean a refrigerator?

Vinegar is my go-to cleaning agent for this job. The acid breaks down grease and grime, and when mixed with hot water in a spray bottle, it becomes a food-safe cleaner that's perfect for any gunk that might have accumulated on refrigerator shelves.

Secrets to Deep Clean Your Fridge

What natural cleaning products can I use on my refrigerator?

Refrigerator Cleaner*

Dissolve baking soda in water. Wipe down. You can also make a paste using less water to scrub more stubborn spots. A small, open box of baking soda will keep your refrigerator smelling fresh.

Can I use Clorox wipes in the fridge?

Yes, you can use Clorox wipes to clean the inside of your refrigerator, but they are not the ideal product to use when giving your refrigerator a proper deep clean. However, these handy wipes are a quick and easy way to clean the door handles or clear up any small spillages.

How often should a fridge be cleaned?

While there is no standard for how often to clean a refrigerator, a complete cleaning every couple of months will help to prevent food spoilage and cross-contamination of Listeria , a bacterium that causes foodborne illness and that can survive at 40º F.

Can you use baby wipes to clean the fridge?

Use baby wipes for a quick clean.

Anytime things are looking messy, take a baby wipe and wipe down the inside surfaces of your fridge. They'll help you remove any set-in grime and are also great to wipe up crumbs and spilled food. Use baby wipes to clean off the outside of your fridge as well.

What are the do's and don'ts of a refrigerator?

Read below to find out the do's and don'ts.
  • Do adjust the temperatures accordingly. ...
  • Don't leave the refrigerator door open too long. ...
  • Do separate and organize items properly. ...
  • Don't overload the refrigerator. ...
  • Do clean your refrigerator regularly. ...
  • Don't use harsh chemicals when cleaning.

What is the best fridge cleaning tips?

Be sure not to reach for harsh chemical cleaners and instead, opt for a natural solution made with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This is an extremely effective cleaning solution - the vinegar will remove any odours, while the bicarbonate of soda will effectively remove any stains or any build up of food.

How to remove bad smell from fridge?

Remove paper and clean with vinegar and water. Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours.

What is best to clean inside of refrigerator?

Wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with hot, soapy water, then wipe with clean water to rinse off soap. Dry with a clean towel. DON'T FORGET TO WIPE INSIDE THE DOORS AND ANY DRAWERS THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED. USE A SOLUTION OF 1 TABLESPOON OF LIQUID BLEACH IN 1 GALLON OF WATER TO SANITIZE YOUR REFRIGERATOR.

What is the best fridge deodorizer?

The Best: Remodeez Aqua Refrigerator Deodorizer

This means that a single Remodeez will last much longer than anything full of baking soda (though the baking soda models can be refilled). Basically, you only need to replace it every six months—which is about five months and 27 days longer than your oldest leftovers.

What is the first thing you do before cleaning the refrigerator?

Cleaning Refrigerator Shelves and Drawers

First, remove (if removable) and hand-wash refrigerator shelves, wire racks, and drawers in hot water and mild dish soap. Let any glass components warm to room temperature before bringing them into contact with hot water; otherwise, they might crack.

What should be avoided in cleaning of refrigerator?

8 Things You Should Never Do When Cleaning the Fridge
  • Don't procrastinate. ...
  • Don't skip the deep clean. ...
  • Don't let expired stuff stay in there. ...
  • Don't put hot shelves back in. ...
  • Don't use harsh cleaners. ...
  • Don't use bleach. ...
  • Don't clean the coils when your fridge is plugged in. ...
  • Don't use soap and water on stainless steel.

Can I spray Lysol in the fridge?

Lysol Kitchen Pro antibacterial cleaner.

An antibacterial cleaner is essential for sanitizing a fridge. This one kills 99.9% of germs and is suitable for food contact surfaces.

Can I use Windex on my fridge?

It is not recommended to use glass cleaner on your stainless steel appliances as it is not formulated to clean the material. Glass cleaner typically uses ammonia, which may damage stainless steel.

What happens if you don't clean your fridge?

If a fridge is dirty or food is left in the fridge too long, germs can multiply to dangerous levels and potentially make you ill. There have been many cases of dirty fridges causing serious illnesses such as Norovirus or Shigella.

How often should I change bed sheets?

To cut to the chase, Dr Browning says we should be changing our sheets once a week, or every two weeks at the most.

How often should you clean your toilet?

The answer is that you can't really clean your toilet too much, but Lysol® recommends you clean your toilet weekly. What to use to clean a toilet? Before you tackle the task, make sure you have everything you need to clean a toilet with: A toilet brush.

Can you use Dawn to clean a fridge?

Remove the drawers, shelves, racks and ice maker box from both the fridge and freezer. Remove and clean each of these one at a time if it's easier. Cotter and Dulude recommend using a dish soap spray, such as Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, to clean each part.

Why you should stop using Clorox wipes?

There are two health risks most commonly associated with disinfectant use: respiratory issues like asthma and potential reproductive harms. Lung irritation, asthma, and allergies. Bleach is well-known as a possible cause of asthma, and quats have also been found to have the potential to set off the condition.

Can you use wipes to clean a fridge?

Wipes are commonly used for disinfecting the inside of a refrigerator because they seem convenient. These often require that surfaces remain wet for up to 10 minutes in order to be effective, and keeping a surface wet with disinfecting wipes can be more difficult than you might think.

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