Deep Cleaning a Fridge: How to Remove Odors, Mold, & Residue

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Learn how often to clean a fridge & the best cleaning methods
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Your fridge is one of the largest appliances in your kitchen, but how often do you think about deep cleaning it? A clean fridge is more energy-efficient and will last longer, and while cleaning it may seem daunting, it’s not too hard if you properly care for it. For this article, we gathered the expert advice of several cleaning and appliance specialists to teach you everything you need to know about cleaning the inside and outside of a fridge, removing odors and mold, and preventing future messes.

Easiest Way to Clean a Fridge

Take out all food and removable shelves and drawers. Wash the shelves with soap and water and let them dry. Apply a mixture of 1 part baking soda and 7 parts hot water to the interior of the fridge and scrub with a sponge. Get hard-to-reach areas with a toothbrush. When dry, put everything back inside.

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Section 1 of 7:

How to Clean the Inside of a Refrigerator

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  1. Thoroughly cleaning a refrigerator can sometimes take a few hours, and keeping the fridge open for long periods of time wastes electricity. Therefore, it’s often best to go ahead and unplug or turn off your refrigerator when you’re getting ready to deep clean it. [1]
    • If you don’t want to unplug your fridge, try to keep the door shut whenever possible, like when you’re cleaning removable parts.
    • For safety, unplug the fridge if you plan on cleaning the coils or drip pan.
    • If it’s too difficult to access the plug, turn off the circuit breaker that serves the fridge.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Refrigerator
    Clear some space on your counters or table to store your food and drinks, and fill a cooler with ice to store your perishable items. While you’re at it, check the expiration dates and dispose of anything that’s out of date. [2]
    • This is also a good time to get rid of any leftovers you aren’t going to finish.
    • Do not leave food out for more than an hour.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Refrigerator
    Most refrigerators have several shelves and drawers that can be taken out completely. Mix dish soap and warm water in a sink or basin, and wash each component the way you’d wash your dishes, making sure to scrub away any stubborn stains. Rinse them with clean water, then set them aside to dry completely while you clean the rest of the fridge. [3]
    • If your shelves or drawers are made of glass, wait until they’re room temperature before washing them. Running cold glass under hot water could cause them to crack.
    • If you’re not sure how to remove a component, refer to your fridge’s owner’s manual.
    • It may help to take a photo of the inside of your fridge before removing the shelves so you know where everything goes when it’s time to replace them.
    • If there are spills or food remnants that are harder to get off, let the shelf or drawer soak in the sink for a few minutes. It should come right off.
  4. Mix 1 part baking soda to 7 parts hot water, stir until the baking soda is dissolved, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the entire interior of the fridge liberally, then scrub every surface with a sponge or microfiber cloth, working from top to bottom. This includes the walls, non-removable shelves, and the inside of the door. If the stains are stubborn, let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping away. [4]
    • Many people prefer to clean their fridge with baking soda because it absorbs odors.
    • Another option is to use vinegar. Cleaning expert James Sears says to “Fill a spray bottle with 2/3 water and 1/3 distilled white vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar.” [5]
    • While it’s possible to clean a fridge with bleach, it’s only recommended for extremely tough odors or stains that cannot be removed otherwise. The fridge will then need to air out for several hours.
  5. Dip a toothbrush into the baking soda mixture and scrub any cracks and crevices you can’t reach with your sponge or cloth. Pay special attention to the rubber gasket around the fridge door, as well as the hinges and other hardware. [6]
    • After wiping down the gaskets, rub a little vaseline or mineral oil along the rubber to condition it.
    • Keeping the gasket clean helps your fridge door maintain a tight seal, which makes it more energy-efficient.
    • While you're cleaning, look for any cracks or tears in the rubber, which can keep your fridge from maintaining a tight seal.
  6. Once you’ve cleaned the interior of the refrigerator and the removable shelves and drawers have dried completely, place them back in their slots. Then, restock all of your food and drinks, wiping off any sticky containers before putting them back in the fridge. [7]
    • Don’t forget to plug your fridge back in if you unplugged it!
    • Organization specialist Ashley Moon suggests organizing your fridge when you restock it so you can easily find what you want. She organizes her own fridge by “having a one-stop shop for everything.” She recommends having different shelves dedicated to snacks, meals and meal prep, condiments, and miscellaneous items. [8]
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Clean the Exterior of a Refrigerator

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Refrigerator
    Dip a cloth into a bowl or basin of warm water and dish soap. Proceed to wipe down the entire exterior of the fridge, including the doors, sides, and top. When you’re done, dry the refrigerator with a microfiber cloth or paper towels. [9]
  2. Unplug your fridge and use your owner’s manual to locate your drip pan. If it’s removable, follow the manual’s instructions to remove it, then scrub it clean with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts water. Leave the solution on for a few minutes, then scrub the dirt away, and rinse with clean water. Let the drip pan dry completely before reinstalling it. [13]
    • A drip pan catches water as it comes out of the defrost drain. Drip pans are typically located at the bottom of the appliance, though their exact location varies depending on the refrigerator model.
    • Always unplug your fridge before cleaning the drip pan to avoid getting electrocuted.
    • If the drip pan is moldy or has an odor, allow the bleach solution to sit longer to remove stubborn mold and kill bacteria.
    • If your drip pan isn’t removable, wipe it down with an antibacterial cleaning wipe and use a claw grabber to wipe dirt from the inside of the pan.
  3. If you can, move your fridge away from the wall so you can clean behind and beneath it. Otherwise, use a vacuum with a hose attachment to vacuum around the floor where the fridge normally sits. [14]
    • Sears recommends moving your fridge by “grabbing each side, and wiggling one side at a time towards you. Once the fridge has been moved, you can now vacuum and then swiffer or mop the floor. Let the floor fully dry before placing back the fridge.” [15]
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Section 3 of 7:

How to Remove Odors from a Refrigerator

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Refrigerator
    After cleaning the interior of your fridge, open a box of baking soda and place it on a rimmed baking sheet to store in the back of your fridge. Baking soda is a natural odor-absorber without a scent of its own, so it will get rid of any lingering odors without transferring its own smell onto your food. Switch it out for a new box after a couple of months. [16]
    • If your fridge has limited space, buy a fridge deodorizer that sticks to the side or back of the appliance. These are available online or anywhere you would normally buy cleaning products.
    • Other deodorizers include a tray of fresh coffee grounds, activated charcoal, or even clean cat litter.
    • Another way to eliminate fridge odors is to soak cotton balls in vanilla extract and leave them in the fridge for a few hours to provide a nice fragrance.
  2. The crisper drawers at the bottom of your fridge will likely develop a lingering odor over time, especially if fruits or vegetables have started to rot. If you can’t wash these bins or the odor doesn’t go away, crumple up a piece of newspaper or a brown paper bag and store it inside the drawer for 48 hours. The paper should absorb the odor. [17]
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Section 4 of 7:

How to Clean The Coils of a Refrigerator

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  1. Before you begin, always unplug your refrigerator and check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean the coils . Locate the coils (usually on the back or underside of the fridge) and clean around them with a coil brush . Then, sweep or vacuum any debris on the floor and plug the unit back in. [18]
    • Buy a coil brush online or at a hardware store. It also works well to clean humidifier or air conditioning coils.
    • If you don’t have a coil brush, use a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner.
    • Even though most of the dust will get vacuumed up, you might want to wear a dust mask while you do this, especially if you have dust allergies.
    • Appliance technician Aaron Beth recommends cleaning your refrigerator’s coils at least twice a year: “It depends on where you live, but most factory recommendations are twice a year. If you have [pets], their hair gets caught in the condenser and it needs to be cleaned more often. So it depends on where the refrigerator is, but I would say to be safe, [clean the coils] a couple times a year.” [19]
Section 5 of 7:

How to Remove Mold from a Refrigerator

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  1. Mix 1 tbsp (17 g) of baking soda into 1 quart (0.9 l) of warm water, then apply it to any moldy spots. Scrub the area with the mixture, then wipe it dry to remove excess moisture. Do not use abrasive or bleach-based cleaners. [20]
    • This method works well for small spots of mold. If you have a larger mold problem (due to a flood, the fridge not running properly, etc.), consult an appliance repair specialist to determine the best course of action.
    • If the mold is growing in the inner workings of the refrigerator, you’ll likely have to replace it .
    • If the moldy smell lingers, Sears recommends “[letting] the shelves and trays sit outside overnight. Unplug the fridge, and leave the fridge doors open overnight to air out.” [21]
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Section 6 of 7:

Tips for Keeping Your Fridge Clean

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  1. This is one of the best ways to keep your fridge clean. If you spill something in your fridge, clean it up with a little soap and water and make sure to get all the sticky residue. The longer a spill sits, the harder it will be to remove. [22]
  2. Pick a day every week to go through your fridge. Since you’ll be doing this weekly, it likely won’t take long, and it’s an easy way to keep your fridge clean. This way, you’ll eliminate odors before they get too strong. [23]
  3. Before putting anything in your fridge, double check that the package hasn’t leaked and that it doesn’t have any sticky residue, as this can quickly make your fridge dirty again. If you notice anything, wipe down the container and make sure it’s clean before storing it. [24]
    • Green cleaning expert Susan Stocker recommends cleaning sticky containers with olive oil: “If you have jam or something similar, put olive oil on it and let it soak. Olive oil is going to break all that [residue] apart really quickly.Then just rinse it and scrub it in the sink.” [25]
  4. When you thaw things in the fridge, it’s possible for the juices to leak out of the plastic and soak your fridge shelves. Not only would this cause a mess, but it could contaminate other foods and leave a foul odor if you don’t take care of the problem immediately. To prevent this, thaw items on a rimmed plate or a baking sheet. [26]
  5. If your fridge is packed full, it’s difficult to see when items expire or if anything has spilled, which can lead to an unpleasant surprise the next time you clean it out. Plus, refrigerators cool more efficiently when the air has room to circulate. [27]
    • Organize your shelves by storing similar items next to each other (ex: all drinks on one shelf, all condiments together, etc.). This way, you’ll know exactly what you have so you’ll be less likely to buy something you don’t actually need, which will help prevent overfilling.
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Section 7 of 7:

Cleaning a Refrigerator FAQs

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Refrigerator
    Deep-clean your fridge once every 3-6 months. If you have a larger household, with people constantly in and out of the fridge, plan to clean it more often. If you live alone, it likely won’t get dirty as quickly. At a minimum, though, deep-clean your fridge at least twice a year to keep it working optimally. [28]
    • Clean up any spills as soon as possible, though. Once something is dried, it’s a lot harder to clean than if you get to it right away.
  2. Start with hot soapy water, then use oil to remove the rest. Most sticky residue will come off if you soak it under a damp, soapy cloth for about a minute. This should loosen the residue so it’s easy to remove. If any residue remains, rub it with any kind of oil (vegetable oil, mineral oil, or even baby oil) to get it off. [29]
    • If that doesn’t work, try a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Soak the residue for a minute, then wipe it off.
    • If you're able to get the residue off with oil, clean the area afterward with a cloth soaked in hot soapy water to remove the oil.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Refrigerator
    Sanitization is optional, but it’s a good idea if you had spoiled or recalled food. Make a solution of 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of liquid bleach in 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. Dip a clean, dry cloth in the solution and wipe it all over the inside of your fridge and the shelves to sanitize. [30]
    • If you sanitize, leave the fridge door open for 10 minutes or so to let the fumes dissipate before you put your food back in and shut the door.
    • Regardless of whether you do the sanitation step, wipe down all your bottles and containers before you put them back in your clean fridge—especially if they're sticky or were sitting in a dirty spot.
  4. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean the entire water dispenser . In general, though, clean the water dispenser tray with a vinegar-based cleaner and a toothbrush. If it’s removable, wash it in your sink. Remember to clean underneath the tray, as well. [31]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why does the front of the fridge get so dirty at the bottom?
    Aaron Beth
    Appliance Technician
    Aaron Beth is the founder of Aaron’s Refrigeration Company in New York City and a factory certified installer (FCI) for Sub-Zero products. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines. With over 54 years of experience, Aaron is the recipient of numerous Super-Service awards from Angie’s Lists and 2019 Best-of-the City.
    Aaron Beth
    Appliance Technician
    Expert Answer
    That's where the condenser is. What happens is that anything in front of your fridge ends up getting sucked into the grate there. It can get especially dirty for people who have pets.
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  • Question
    How often do I need to clean my refrigerator coils?
    Aaron Beth
    Appliance Technician
    Aaron Beth is the founder of Aaron’s Refrigeration Company in New York City and a factory certified installer (FCI) for Sub-Zero products. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines. With over 54 years of experience, Aaron is the recipient of numerous Super-Service awards from Angie’s Lists and 2019 Best-of-the City.
    Aaron Beth
    Appliance Technician
    Expert Answer
    It depends on where you live, but the general rule of thumb is to do it twice a year. That's probably a safe estimate for most people.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    How do I get the sticky marks, left by sticky labels, off my new fridge?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Any kind of oil (such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or baby oil) should break down the adhesive so you can wipe the residue off. Then, clean the area with a cloth dipped in soapy water.
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      Tips

      • Remember to wash your hands with warm, soapy water after cleaning your fridge. Wipe down any kitchen counters or tables that held your food or refrigerator parts, as well. [32]
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      • Check your fridge's user manual for tips on how to clean various parts and how often you should do so. If you don't have a paper copy, you can find a digital copy online! Just search for the manufacturer's website.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Regularly inspect and clean the door seals to ensure they are debris-free and tight, which helps maintain efficiency.
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      Warnings

      • If food in your fridge spoils or is recalled, clean your fridge after you dispose of it. Germs could spread to other parts of your fridge and infect other food. [33]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/do-it-yourself-energy-savers-project-cleaning-refrigerator-health-and-efficiency
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-get-rid-of-smells-in-a-fridge.html
      3. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-get-rid-of-smells-in-a-fridge.html
      4. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/emergencies/removing-odors-refrigerators-and
      5. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 29 August 2019.
      6. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/room-room/cleaning-refrigerator
      7. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/room-room/cleaning-refrigerator
      8. ↑ Ashley Moon, MA. Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/do-it-yourself-energy-savers-project-cleaning-refrigerator-health-and-efficiency
      1. ↑ Gevorg Grigorian. Appliance Repair Expert. Expert Interview. 30 July 2020.
      2. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 29 August 2019.
      3. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 29 August 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-fridge.html
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-under-appliances-weekend-projects-259408
      6. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 29 August 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-get-rid-of-smells-in-a-fridge.html
      8. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/refrigeration#12
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-refrigerator-coils/
      10. ↑ Aaron Beth. Appliance Technician. Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.
      11. ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
      12. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      13. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/room-room/cleaning-refrigerator
      14. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-get-rid-of-smells-in-a-fridge.html
      15. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/room-room/cleaning-refrigerator
      16. ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 28 February 2023.
      17. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-organise-a-fridge.html
      18. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-organise-a-fridge.html
      19. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-fridge.html
      20. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/africa_en/support/home-appliances/recommended-way-to-remove-sticker-residue-from-a-refrigerator/
      21. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/communication-resources/clean-refrigerator-steps.html
      22. ↑ https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-clean-water-dispenser-fridge.htm
      23. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/communication-resources/clean-refrigerator-steps.html
      24. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/communication-resources/clean-refrigerator-steps.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your refrigerator, first take everything out of it and store it in the freezer or a cooler filled with ice packs. Then, pull out any removable drawers and shelves, and scrub them clean using a sponge and hot, soapy water. Scrape off stubborn grime with a wooden spatula or toothpick. Rinse the shelves and drawers and let them air dry. Next, fill a spray bottle with 2 parts water and 1 part white vinegar, and spray the inside of your fridge. Wipe down the interior with a cloth, then use a new cloth to wipe the vinegar away. Finally, place any drawers and shelves back in the fridge and restock all of the food. To keep your newly-cleaned fridge smelling fresh, leave an open container of baking soda in it, which will absorb bad odors. To learn more about how to clean the interior parts of your fridge, like the coils and fan, keep reading!

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