Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Refrigerator and Freezer
While keeping your fridge clean can often be a draining and daunting task, it doesn't have to be. Over time, spills, crumbs, and expired items can create an unhealthy environment and unpleasant odors. Check out our article for a step-by-step guide, product recommendations, and tips to keep your fridge and freezer sparkling clean.
Three Step Guide
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Empty your refrigerator. If you have a second refrigerator, move any temperature-sensitive products to it, such as deli meats, milk, and yogurts. If you do not have a second refrigerator, we recommend moving these items into a cooler with ice or ice packs.
Start by moving items out of your refrigerator first. You can temporarily move freezer items into the refrigerator while you clean the freezer section of your fridge.
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Remove Shelves and Drawers: Take out all removable parts for separate cleaning.
Clean Interior Surfaces: Use a mild cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water to wipe down the interior surfaces.
Wash Shelves and Drawers: Clean removable parts with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry them thoroughly.
Clean Door Seals: Wipe down the door seals with a damp cloth to remove any debris and prevent mold growth.
Wipe Down Exterior: Clean the exterior surfaces, including the top, sides, and door handles.
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Defrost if Necessary: If your freezer has a significant ice buildup, defrost it by unplugging the appliance and letting the ice melt.
Remove Shelves and Drawers: Take out all removable parts for separate cleaning.
Clean Interior Surfaces: Use a mixture of warm water and baking soda to wipe down the interior surfaces.
Wash Shelves and Drawers: Clean removable parts with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry them thoroughly.
Wipe Down Door Seals: Clean the door seals with a damp cloth to remove any debris.
Dealing With Unpleasant Odors
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Identifying the source of a smell can often be tricky. Most commonly, odors come from one of these three areas:
Expired foods
Spilled products
Mold growth
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Once you have found the source of the odor and removed or cleaned up the cause, there are three main ways you can help remove a lingering smell:
Baking Soda: Place an open box of baking soda inside to absorb odors.
Activated Charcoal: Use activated charcoal to neutralize strong odors.
Vinegar: Wipe down surfaces with a mixture of water and vinegar for a fresh scent.
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Once you have cleaned your fridge and removed any lingering odors, here are three ways to prevent these odors from coming back:
Clean Spills Immediately: Promptly clean any spills to prevent odors.
Regularly Check Food: Frequently check and remove expired or spoiled food items.
Use Odor Absorbers: Keep odor absorbers like baking soda or activated charcoal inside the fridge and freezer.
Organization Tips
Sort and Discard Expired Items: Regularly check for and discard expired or spoiled food.
Use Clear Containers: Store food in clear, labeled containers to easily identify contents.
Group Similar Items: Keep similar items together to maintain order and accessibility.
Product Recommendations
Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner: Great for exterior surfaces.
Method All-Purpose Cleaner: Effective and eco-friendly.
Windex Glass Cleaner: Effective for glass shelves and interior surfaces.
Arm & Hammer Fridge-N-Freezer Pack: Keeps your fridge and freezer smelling fresh.
Oxo Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set: Ideal for cleaning small crevices and seals.
