The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Refrigerator

Cleaning a refrigerator is vital for your refrigerator’s maintenance. Your fridge stores a lot of food and keeps it fresh and cool. This makes it susceptible to wear and tear. Taking care of your refrigerator by deep cleaning it frequently can increase its overall life and help you keep it shining and tidy.

A refrigerator can get stained and dirty with food residue without regular maintenance. A few tips and guidelines can help you keep your fridge clean. Read our blog to learn more. If you are planning to buy a compact fridge, then read through our blog on how to choose a small refrigerator easily. We do have a dedicated blog on compact refrigerators if you are looking for more information.

Should I Turn Off the Refrigerator When Cleaning?

You should turn off your refrigerator if your shelves and containers are not removable, or if you want to wipe your fridge with a wet sponge or cloth. For removable shelves, you can keep your refrigerator plugged in and scrub shelves after taking them out. Reviews on Euhomy Mini Fridge with Freezer indicate that this a top selling model that has removable shelves making the cleaning process easy.

What is Best to Use for Cleaning Inside of Refrigerator?

The simple formula of cleaning inside a refrigerator is to scrub, rinse and soak. You can use mild cleaners such as baking soda with a small amount of hot water. Use a wet cloth for cleaning and dry it using a towel or a sponge. The reviews of Haier 15-Cu.-Ft. French-Door Refrigerator suggests that it has an anti-scratch exterior and interior resistant to cleaning.

Can You Clean a Fridge With Antibacterial Wipes?

Yes, as long as antibacterial wipes do not leave a bad odor, you can clean your fridge using these disinfectants. These are multi-purpose cleaners that are helpful in cleaning contaminated surfaces of refrigerator shelves.

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Cleaning Refrigerator Drawers and Shelves 

Remove shelves, wire racks, and drawers and hand wash them with hot water and mild soap. Allow the glass components to warm to room temperature before washing them with hot water as they might crack otherwise. For stubborn spills and residues, use a warm and wet cloth. In the case of a bottom freezer refrigerator, it is advised to clean the top refrigerator and then proceed towards the freezer. Thor kitchen HRF3601F Cabinet Depth reviews determine that it has easily removable shelves you can conveniently clean.

Cleaning the Fridge Interior

You can clean the interior with baking soda and water. Use the ratio of 1 part baking soda and 7 parts water for cleaning. Try to avoid harsh cleaners and use a toothbrush or toothpick to clean hard-to-reach areas. Wipe everything with a dry and clean towel, preferably a microfiber cloth.  The reviews of 9.2 Cu. Ft. Bottom Mount Freezer indicate a stainless steel exterior and hassle-free easy to clean interiors.

Removing Fridge Odors

You can tackle foul smells by keeping an open container full of baking soda on the bottommost shelf. After this is done, you can use this opportunity to declutter and reorganize your fridge. The Frigidaire FFHD2250TS 36 Inch Counter Depth review suggest that it comes with a multi-flow air system to help keep food fresh and an optimal temperature management system

Cleaning the Refrigerator Gasket

Cleaning the gasket is integral to maintaining a tight seal around the fridge door. It’s advised to use warm water with liquid soap or bleach-based cleaner if you find mold. Use a cleaning brush to scrub the gasket gently during the cleaning process. After rinsing it thoroughly, you can also coat it with a layer of petroleum jelly to prevent drying. 

Cleaning Refrigerator Coils

Before you begin, check the manual for instructions. Subsequently, unplug the fridge and use a coil brush for cleaning. For variants that have coils on the bottom, remove the grill piece on the front and then proceed with the cleaning. 

Cleaning a Refrigerator Exterior

Cleaning the outside of the fridge can be intimidating, but it’s not hard to do. You will need a cloth, a paper towel, and an appropriate disinfectant cleaner. You can wipe the exterior body of your fridge using a wet soapy cloth. After cleaning dirt marks, you can dry the fridge exterior using a paper towel.

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Cleaning a Refrigerator Water Dispenser

Checking the manual for filter replacement should be the first step. The steps will help you clean your dispenser or troubleshoot some common problems conveniently. Then, to clean the tray, wipe it with a vinegar-based cleaner, and let it dry. A soft brush can be used to clean the underside of the tray. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Fridge?

Like many other household appliances, your refrigerator is especially vulnerable to the build-up of food particles and other odors. We recommend you deep clean your fridge after every 3 to 4 months. It will help you get rid of the odor and prevent food from spoiling.

Cleaning Mold from a Refrigerator

Mold comes from rotten food and can spread through air and direct contact. Cleaning mold from a refrigerator keeps you protected against allergic diseases. To get rid of mold, spray the white vinegar solution and let it settle for a few minutes. Scrub refrigerator surface with a sponge and then wipe it off, using a damp cloth or towel.

Preventive Measures to Keep Your Fridge Clean

A clean refrigerator is essential to have a healthy eating environment. Vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning spills are all important, yet they are preventive ways to keep your fridge clean and dust-free. If you don’t want to get sick from moldy cheese or moldy milk, use the following tips.

  • You should not load your fridge with spoiled veggies or fruits.
  • Avoid using containers that have an open lid or are prone to cause spillage.
  • Consider keeping only those packets that are fresh and have not crossed their expiry dates.

Conclusion 

Taking care of your fridge is important to ensure its longevity. A few simple steps can help you keep your fridge clean and fresh. To prevent stains, avoid loading the fridge with spoiled items and loose containers. Make sure you only use clean clothes. We hope our blog will be helpful to you while cleaning your refrigerator the next time. 

Globalideas rates hundreds of refrigerators and reviews outdoor refrigerators based on owner satisfaction, build and design, temperature control, and space and compartments.

Maddie Otto
Maddie Otto

Maddie is currently in her fifth year of medical studies at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney, where she also manages workshop projects Before her medical career, she pursued music professionally and academically in Melbourne. With a foundation in community arts, Maddie has always blended her passions for the arts and disability support. She champions intersectional gender equity and is deeply committed to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity within the healthcare sector.

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