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The time has come to tackle cleaning out your fridge but this time you don’t have to do it alone! We will share all the most crucial tips for removing the gunk from your fridge and leaving it sparkling clean and smelling fresh.
This post will show you how to get to every nook and cranny of your fridge to ensure you maintain the top hygiene standard and you reach those #aestheticfridgegoals.
We will give you everything you need to know about scrubbing your fridge top to bottom efficiently so you don’t dread this task in the future.
Our goal is that each time you open your fridge you sigh in relief rather than feel overwhelmed by the clutter!
This post is all about the best simple steps for cleaning out your fridge.
What this refrigerator kitchen cleaning post contains:
- What cleaning tools you will need to deep clean your fridge
- How to deep clean your fridge
- A fridge cleaning checklist (monthly & weekly reminders)
What you will need to clean out your fridge the best way
- Bucket of water
- Castille soap or gentle dish soap
- Large towel
- Microfiber towels or soft cloth
- Scrub brush & old toothbrush
- Sponge
- Duster
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Stainless steel cleaner spray
- Bag of ice
- Spray bottle for soap mixture or vinegar mixture
- Vacuum cleaner
Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Out Your Fridge
1. Get prepped with your fridge cleaning materials
Let everyone in your house know you are cleaning the fridge out and keep pets away.
Try to clean out your fridge at the end of the week when you have gone through all of your groceries and your fridge is mostly empty. That way you don’t have to risk things going bad sitting on your counter as you clean out your refrigerator.
Collect all of your cleaning materials and fill up your bucket of water to get ready to scrub!
2. Place a towel at the base of your fridge to catch debris & water
Put a large bath towel on the ground at the base of the fridge to catch excess food, water, or spills. You may want to actually have a couple towels on hand.
3. Take everything out of your fridge: All food and removable parts
Begin to take everything out of your refrigerator that is expired or spoiled. I suggest having a trash can nearby so that as soon as you smell something funky you can dispose of it ASAP. Here is some more info on the safety standards for how long food should be kept in your fridge.
Put your food in coolers to prevent it from getting to room temperature as you clean out your fridge. You may want to add a layer of ice to the bottom of your cooler if you have a lot of cleaning to do or if you are worried about your food being contaminated.
Be mindful of the time your food sits out while you clean to ensure food safety.
4. Wipe off food containers and sauce bottles to prevent further drips
Sauces spill and containers leak. It happens to everyone. Take some time to wipe off your sauce bottles so that they work properly and don’t drip throughout your fridge.
Also, take note of what food storage containers are leaking and check to see if they weren’t sealed properly or if they need to not be used in your fridge.
It is super important for food safety to have food storage containers that seal properly to not let air in.
You can clean out the bad containers and repurpose them for organization projects around your home (organizing tools, office supplies etc.) that won’t be affected by air exposure.
If your containers are stained or they can’t be repurposed, consider recycling them or throwing them in the trash depending on their level of spoilage.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 11 Genius Zero Waste Kitchen Organization Tips For a Peaceful Home}
5. Remove all fridge dividers, removable shelves, crisper drawers, and baskets to wash them with soap and hot water
Fridge dividers, clear containers, and baskets are great for organizing your fridge but they can collect crumbs and such.
If there is stuck food or grime you can soak them in warm soapy water to lift the gunk.
6. Wipe fridge dividers and the inside of the fridge with a microfiber towel and a dash of white vinegar to prevent streaks
After you use your soap and warm water to scrub the inside of the fridge, go ahead and use some vinegar to give it that polished look.
Warning! It is going to have a strong smell at first but after it dries your fridge will not smell like vinegar.
7. Vacuum out fridge before replacing dividers and containers
Use a vacuum hose or mini vacuum to get all the little hidden crumbs. Once you have everything sucked out, it’s time to scrub.
Prepare a bucket of water and Castile soap. Begin to scrub the inside of your fridge from top to bottom.
If there are areas with residue that will not come off, use a bit of baking soda and it should lift the gunk easily.
8. Clean fridge door gaskets and door seals
This is where a toothbrush can be very useful. Its tiny bristles can really get into those nooks and crannies.
These areas accumulate dirt, grime, and leftover food. Keeping these areas clean helps to seal your fridge properly as well.
9. Clean under your fridge
You may need another person for this task and please be so careful but you do need to clean underneath your fridge.
From ice cubes that were kicked underneath to Hot Wheels that roll under or just everyday dirt, the bottom of your fridge is probably worse than you think.
Keeping it clean will help with the airflow of your fridge, keeping it in pristine condition and to overall ensure it cools properly.
Just clean the floor area under your fridge however you regularly clean your kitchen floors.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 7 Amazing Zero Waste Kitchen Must Haves for A Plastic Free Home}
10. Clean the walls behind your fridge and beside your fridge
If your fridge is in a cabinet system or a nook then the area around your fridge can use a wipe down as well.
Clean the walls with your soap mixture or vinegar mixture in a spray bottle and allow the area to dry before shifting the fridge back in place.
11. Use a dry microfiber towel for the finishing touches and to clean off excess moisture
You’re almost done! Wipe down excess water and soap with a dry cloth. Rather than waste a paper towel or a whole roll just go ahead and invest in some microfiber towels that can be washed and reused.
Replace your old fridge deodorizer. There are lots of fridge deodorizers on the market but you can never go wrong with good ol baking soda. Try to change this out every 30 days.
You can use a Sharpie to write the date on it to help you remember when you last changed it and cleaned your fridge.
12. Clean the outside of the fridge with the appropriate cleaner for your type of fridge
One of the finishing touches of your fridge deep clean is making the outside sparkle. Depending on the surface of your fridge, you will have to use a different spray.
Don’t forget the sides and top of your refrigerator. You may be surprised at just how much dust collects on the top of your fridge so you may want to dust it before spraying and wiping with a clean cloth.
Here are some tips for choosing a spray for the outside of your fridge:
- Stainless-steel refrigerator: I love this more natural cleaner and a little goes a long way. I have a bottle that has lasted me over a year.
- White refrigerator: A fresh batch of soapy water will work just fine.
- Glass refrigerator: Vinegar spray or a glass cleaner will be your best bet! It’s cheaper to just use vinegar but if you want a nontoxic spray that smells good as well, I suggest this one.
Don’t forget to clean the back of the fridge! Even though you don’t see it often it will collect dust.
13. Stand back and admire your freshly cleaned fridge!
You made it! Take in the beauty of your clean fridge and feel grateful you won’t have to head back to step one for another 30 days.
Is it necessary to clean your fridge every month? No, not really. But it is a great goal to set and it definitely won’t hurt anything by deep cleaning it monthly.
This also depends if your fridge is used by just you or a whole house full of teenagers, toddlers, roommates etc.
I suggest a monthly deep clean and a weekly clean and refresh just to stay on top of things. I put together a little checklist below to help you stay on track of your fridge cleaning schedule.
14. Organize your fridge to easily maintain cleanliness and ease
You may want to do this on another day or have a fridge organization system mapped out before cleaning.
But don’t just throw everything back into the fridge.
Try to come up with a system for placing things so that you make the most of your deep clean. I just put together an insanely detailed post about fridge organization tips that you should check out to make the process MUCH easier.
How to clean your fridge water dispenser
This one is tricky since everyone’s fridge is different. You can use a clean damp cloth to wipe the outside of your water dispenser. Unfortunately, grime and mold can collect here.
To get a deep clean of your fridge’s water dispenser I suggest checking your user manual for tips on cleaning your specific model.
{RECOMMENDED POST: fridge organization-coming soon!}
Fridge cleaning checklist
Feel free to save these to your cleaning Pinterest boards so you always have a copy of them!
Monthly deep clean fridge checklist
- Take everything out and wash dividers/baskets with soap and water
- Freeze items that may go bad soon
- Wipe off containers and sauce bottles
- Vacuum out crumbs
- Clean fridge gaskets and seal
- Move the fridge and clean underneath and side of the fridge
- Dust the top of the fridge
- Check expiration dates
- Change baking soda deodorizer
- Clean the outside of the fridge including the top, sides and drip tray
- Reorganize items back into the fridge with an efficient system
- Make a grocery list of fridge basics for fridge restocking
Weekly cleaning and refresh fridge checklist
- Check for expired food
- Clean up spills
- Freeze items that may go bad soon
- Wipe the interior of your fridge with soap and water
- Wipe exterior of fridge
- Wipe down the outside of your fridge (don’t forget the handles!)
- Make a grocery restock list for the week
What are the benefits of keeping your fridge clean?
If you made it this far in the most you probably don’t need any more convincing but here are a few things to remember if you don’t feel like cleaning your fridge or need a bit more motivation for it to be a consistent habit of your cleaning routine.
- Prevent the unpleasant smell of rotting food
- Keep the inside of your fridge a safe place to store food as you get rid of bacteria
- Minimize food waste and save money
- A clean refrigerator gives you peace of mind as you meal plan and prepare to grocery shop
Have any other questions about cleaning your fridge? Let us know in the comments below!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best tips for cleaning out your fridge.
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