How do you deep clean a fridge freezer?

Author: Miss Novella Schaden III  |  Last update: Saturday, July 12, 2025

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 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.

How do you clean and sanitize a deep freezer?

Put all the food in a good cooler. Scrape away any frost or ice. Add a few drops of dish detergent to 250 ml of rubbing alcohol, and mix well. Wipe the inside surfaces with the rubbing alcohol mixture on a sponge or rag. Wipe again with dry towels. Put the food back in.

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

How do you clean and deodorize a refrigerator?

Stuff both the refrigerator and freezer with rolled newspapers. Close the door and leave for several days. 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.

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 to deep clean a fridge freezer?

For a deeper clean, you can spray the inside of the fridge with an anti-bacterial spray after you've wiped it down with warm, soapy water. Water and baking soda or water and white vinegar are also great DIY cleaning solutions – plus, they're naturally food-safe.

What can I spray in my fridge to clean it?

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.

What is the best cleaner for the inside of a freezer?

Make a solution of hot water and vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. A solution of water and soap can also work, but vinegar is food safe and has no soapy film. Spray the interior walls, floor and gaskets. Wipe with a sponge or microfiber cloth.

How to get rid of bad smell in a deep freezer?

Wash the interior of the unit with hot water and baking soda. Rinse with clean water and then wipe with the sanitizing solution. Leave the door open for 15 minutes to allow air to circulate. For stubborn odors it may be necessary to place trays of activated charcoal or baking soda on the shelves of the unit.

How often should you deep clean your freezer?

Generally speaking, a freezer should keep itself relatively clean, so it should only need a deep clean once a year. Of course, if you experience a power cut or have any food spillages, your freezer will need a thorough cleaning earlier, so treat freezer cleaning on a case-by-case basis.

What are the 8 steps in cleaning the refrigerator?

8 Steps to Clean Your Refrigerator
  1. Move Food to a Cooler. ...
  2. Remove Shelves and Drawers. ...
  3. Clean with a Natural Unscented Cleaner. ...
  4. Keep Your Refrigerator Odour Free. ...
  5. Clean the Rubber Gasket. ...
  6. Organize your Refrigerator. ...
  7. Clean the Refrigerator Door. ...
  8. Clean Refrigerator Coils.

How often should you clean the inside of your refrigerator?

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.

What is the best disinfectant to clean fridge?

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. DO THIS AFTER CLEANING IT WITH HOT, SOAPY WATER.

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.

What kills fridge odor?

To naturally get rid of fridge smells, use baking soda, vinegar, or activated charcoal. Baking soda absorbs odors, vinegar neutralizes them, and activated charcoal eliminates them with its porous structure.

How do you clean and disinfect a deep freezer?

Wipe the inside of the empty freezer with hot, soapy water, and wipe with clean water to rinse off the soap. Don't forget to wipe inside the freezer doors and any drawers that can't be removed. Dry everything with a clean towel. To sanitize, use a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water.

What spray to use inside a fridge?

Mix 3 ounces of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with 4 cups of cold water in an empty spray bottle. Using cold water will help your fridge reach optimum temperature quicker after you've finished cleaning. Clean inside of fridge doors.

Should you turn off the fridge when cleaning?

Either switch off or unplug the fridge and freezer. This is especially important for the freezer, since cleaning it while it is running could damage the unit and turning it off will give it a chance to defrost.

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.

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.

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.

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