What is the best way to disinfect refrigerator?

Author: Letha Sauer  |  Last update: Monday, June 29, 2026

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 a safe disinfectant for a refrigerator?

An all purpose cleaner with a sanitizer like bleach is how you should be cleaning the fridge and other surfaces. This should be used inside the fridge too. Empty the fridge, spray, let sit a bit, wipe, refill fridge.

What is the best thing to clean the inside of 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.

Can you use Clorox wipes on the inside of the fridge?

Can I Use Clorox Wipes to Clean the Inside of My Fridge? Yes, you can. Clorox wipes 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.

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.

Secrets to Deep Clean Your Fridge

Should you disinfect your fridge?

Bacteria can thrive and multiply on non-living surfaces (like a fridge shelf!), so it's important to do a thorough job. Once the food has been removed from the shelves, Amato explains that the inside of the refrigerator should be cleaned with a disinfectant and a clean cloth.

What should you do to avoid a buildup of bacteria in your fridge?

Here are 10 tips on how to keep your refrigerator clean and bacteria-free:
  1. Wipe down the shelves and drawers regularly. ...
  2. Remove any spills immediately. ...
  3. Clean the door seals. ...
  4. Defrost the freezer regularly. ...
  5. Use a mild soap and water solution. ...
  6. Dry the surfaces thoroughly. ...
  7. Unplug your refrigerator before cleaning.

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 I use wet wipes to clean the 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.

How to clean a refrigerator with vinegar?

Take out any removable shelves or drawers from your fridge to gain better access to the interior. Spray undiluted vinegar directly on the area you want to clean. Wipe every corner and crevice with a damp cloth to thoroughly get rid of the mold and dry all surfaces with a towel.

What is the best thing to clean a fridge with?

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.

Can I use Lysol to clean the fridge?

The Kitchen

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.

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 the best cleaning solution for the inside of a refrigerator?

Cleaning Inside of a Refrigerator

The best cleaner is a combination of abrasive salt and bubbly soda water. Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon of hot water: 1 cup clear ammonia, ½-cup vinegar and ¼-cup baking soda. Pour into a spray bottle, or use from a bowl with a sponge.

How to disinfect a fridge naturally?

Making your natural fridge cleaner is simple, you just need hot water, white vinegar and lemon juice. Shake well and it's ready! This mixture will allow you to naturally clean and disinfect the inside of your fridge as well as its various compartments.

Can I use Clorox wipes to clean the inside of my fridge?

Yes, Clorox wipes can be used for quick cleaning, but ensure the surfaces are food-safe by wiping them down with water afterward.

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.

Is Windex good for fridge?

Windex® Original Wipes make it easy to add a little sparkle to your kitchen. They are a great stainless steel cleaner for your refrigerator or dishwasher door. And don't forget to touch up the little glass surfaces in your kitchen like the oven door, microwave exterior or glass cabinets.

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

Using a microfiber cloth, wipe the shelves and inside of the freezer with one of these two mixtures: 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water; or a mild soap and water solution.

Does Dawn and vinegar clean?

For effective cleaning, the recommended ratio is 1 part dish soap to 2 parts vinegar for general cleaning tasks. This mixture perfectly balances the grease-cutting power of dish soap with the disinfecting and deodorizing properties of vinegar, making it suitable for everyday cleaning needs.

How often should you clean your fridge?

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.

How to make a fridge bacteria free?

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.

Do you need to disinfect fridge?

Fridges & Freezers:

The interiors of fridges and freezers should be wiped and sanitised every other day, and given a deep clean once a week. Fridge hygiene can have a big impact on the quality and safety of your food – it is extremely important to keep on top of the cleaning in there.

What are two ways to stop contamination in the refrigerator?

When refrigerating food:
  • Place raw meat, poultry, and seafood in containers or sealed plastic bags to prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods. Raw juices often contain harmful bacteria.
  • Store eggs in their original carton and refrigerate as soon as possible.

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