How to Clean a Fridge Step by Step (Expert Tips)

A fridge is a common appliance usually in the kitchen or dining area. Knowing how to clean a fridge is essential; it should be cleaned at least once every 3–4 months.

Since we use it constantly, the fridge door gets opened countless times each day to store or get items like juice, fruit, water, butter, and more.

Growing up, I used to be afraid of cleaning the fridge in my parents’ house because it was always packed with food. Being part of a big family with just one large fridge made it feel overwhelming.

Now, however, thanks to my professional training, I know exactly how to clean a fridge, no matter how messy or smelly!

Required Tools for Cleaning a Fridge

To get the job done efficiently without scratching your appliances, you will need the right Deep cleaning tools ready to go:

1. Hand gloves
2. Microfiber cloth
3. Glass cleaner microfiber cloth
4. Narrow brush (for cleaning the drain hole)
5. Toothbrush (To clean the mold)
6. Liquid stainless steel cleaner (optional)
7. Syringe (To pour water into the water hole)
8. Dish soap

How to Clean the Inside of a Fridge?

Step 1: Unplug or Switch Off the Fridge

If possible, unplug the fridge to be extra safe while cleaning. If the socket is difficult to reach or the fridge can’t be moved, simply switch it off.

Step 2: Clean One Shelf at a Time

Cleaning shelf by shelf helps avoid getting messed up with the cleaning. Start from the top and work your way down. This systematic process is an essential part of maintaining a healthy House cleanliness routine.

1. Empty: Begin with the top shelf. Remove all items.
2. Wipe Containers: Wipe down jars and food containers, and set them aside. I prefer to place them in a box. So, I know all the staff are in one place.
3. Declutter: As you handle each item, check expiration dates and discard anything expired, rotten, or spoiled.
4. Clean Fridge Walls: Wipe down the fridge walls with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. For tough stains, repeat the process, then dry with a clean cloth.
5. Wash the Shelf: Clean each shelf, wash it with a sponge, then soak them with a damp cloth, followed by a dry one.
6. Replace Items: Put the dry, clean shelf back in place and return the food items.

Step 3: Clean Drawers and Compartments

Remove, wash, and dry all shelves, drawers, and side compartments, following the steps in Step 2. Once everything is clean and dry, return each piece to its spot in the fridge.

How to Clean a Fridge Drain Hole?

The drain hole is a small opening inside your fridge, usually located at the bottom. Its purpose is to drain excess moisture from condensation. Though small, this hole plays an important role in keeping your fridge functioning properly.

Why is it Important to Clean the Drain Hole?

If the drain hole gets blocked with food debris, condensation water can accumulate under the drawers, creating bad odors inside the fridge and impacting its efficiency. This may lead to food spoiling even when it’s stored inside.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Drain Hole

1. Remove the Drawers: Clear out the drawers and make sure you have an open space to access the drain hole without obstruction.
2. Inspect the Hole: Take a look at the hole to assess how clogged it might be.
3. Use an Unclogging Tool or Narrow Brush: If your fridge came with a cleaning tool for the drain hole, use it. If not, insert a long, narrow brush. Dirty water and debris may come out as you clean.
4. Flush with Warm Water: Using a syringe, pour warm water into the drain hole to help loosen any remaining debris. Gently repeat with the brush as needed.
5. Wipe Away Residue: Wipe up any debris or water on the fridge surface with a cloth, then follow up with a dry cloth.

How to Clean a Moldy Fridge?

Why Does Mold Happen?

Mold usually develops when a fridge isn’t regularly cleaned. If you’re wondering how to clean a moldy fridge, it often starts with identifying the source. Cleaning mold from fridge interiors is essential, especially in commercial units.

Mold can also grow in home fridges if any area isn’t cleaned often.

Common causes of mold in fridges include:

• A blocked water drain hole that traps moisture and food particles.
• Expired food items in packets or boxes.

Steps to Clean Mold

1. Clear the Water Drain Hole: Clean the drain hole thoroughly as described above to prevent any further mold growth.
2. Remove Expired Food: Discard any expired food, especially items in boxes or packets that may harbor mold.
3. Wipe Down Surfaces: Use a warm, soapy damp cloth to wipe all interior surfaces of the fridge to remove any mold or residue.

How to Clean a Smelly Fridge?

Wondering how to clean a smelly fridge? Cleaning it is easy, but maintaining a fresh-smelling fridge over time can be more challenging!

When you thoroughly clean the water drain hole that was clogged and developed mold, throw out expired foods, and wipe the entire inside surface with a soapy, damp cloth, the smell will no longer be present.

But here are some tips so you can maintain a fresh-smelling fridge for a long time:

1. Always keep half a lemon open inside the fridge. It helps to maintain a fresh smell at all times.
2. Never store any food for too long in food containers, vegetable boxes, or anywhere else. And never store raw or cooked food without a lid.
3. Do not allow your fridge to develop mold anywhere. Check the water drain hole regularly.
4. Never store foods with strong flavors without a strong lid, like chopped onion, garlic, ginger, or any curry. Also, raw foods like fish, meat, etc.

How to Clean a Fridge Door?

When you remove a compartment from the fridge door, wipe down the inside of the door wall thoroughly.

Don’t forget the rubber strip around the inside edge of the fridge door. This strip should also be wiped clean to remove any dirt or buildup.

How to Clean the Exterior of a Fridge?

The dirtiest part of a fridge exterior is often the handle or knob. Be sure to wipe these areas thoroughly.

If you have items like magnets, planners, stickers, letters, or pictures on the fridge door, remove them one by one, clean them, and then replace them.

Alternatively, you can take everything off at once, wipe each item, and clean the entire exterior: door, sides, and bottom, before putting them back.

Remember to declutter any unnecessary items from the outside of your fridge.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge?

Cleaning the inside of a stainless steel fridge is the same as cleaning any other type, like white or black fridges. However, the exterior of stainless steel often needs extra care to maintain its shine.

How to Clean the Outside of a Stainless Steel Fridge?

Stainless steel surfaces tend to show fingerprints and smudges, and regular stains can sometimes look like scratches. Here are some simple tips for cleaning a stainless steel fridge exterior:

1. Empty the surface, as if any magnets or pictures there.
2. Use a damp microfiber cloth (make sure it’s clean).
3. Wipe gently from top to bottom, focusing especially on high-touch areas like the handle.
4. For stubborn stains, repeat the process.
5. Finish by wiping the entire exterior with a dry, clean microfiber cloth.

How to Clean a Black Stainless Steel Fridge?

There is a specialty with black stainless steel fridges. The black surface is coated in a way that makes stains and fingerprints less visible compared to silver-colored stainless steel.

So, you need to find the fingerprints and stains. The best way to do this is by viewing the surface from an angle. Another trick is to see them through a mobile lens, like when we set up the mobile camera to take a picture!

You cannot use any kind of abrasive cleaning product on it, as it may destroy the shine of the black surface.

Best way to clean a black stainless steel fridge

1. Clear the surface.
2. Wipe the surface with a damp microfiber cloth with warm water. Or use a liquid stainless steel cleaner specifically for black fridges.
3. Clean in one direction, not circular motions.
4. Focus more on the handle area.
5. Wipe followed by a dry microfiber cloth. A glass cleaner microfiber cloth gives the best results.

For more expert tips, check out Deep Cleaning Checklist

How to Clean Refrigerator Coils?

The refrigerator coils often gather dust and cobwebs. Even hair, especially if anyone in your home has shedding hair, or you have pets that shed. Hair and dust can easily get caught in the coils.

To clean the coils, use a vacuum cleaner with a small brush attachment or a handheld brush that’s safe for coil cleaning.

However, if your fridge is tightly set in a space that’s hard to reach or you lack the proper equipment, it’s wise to hire a professional to avoid damaging the appliance and to ensure a safe, thorough cleaning.

As a professional cleaner, I know that accessing and cleaning behind the refrigerator isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it requires specific tools or technical preparation to clean effectively.

When you are done, have one last look in the fridge so that everything is in place and that everything has been cleaned.

Conclusion

A clean fridge is not just about a sparkling kitchen, it is also directly related to the health of your family and the longevity of the fridge. Cleaning the fridge can seem like a bit of a hassle in the midst of your daily routine, but if you follow the right rules and step-by-step instructions, this difficult task becomes much easier. To keep your entire kitchen perfectly clean and tidy, you can also check out our Complete kitchen cleaning article.

By following these simple tips like the pros, your fridge will not only be odor-free, but also the quality of your food will be good. Don’t delay, check your fridge today and take another step towards a healthier lifestyle!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the most effective way to easily ‘clean a fridge’ without making a mess around it?

A. The best way is to clean each shelf separately, starting from the top, instead of emptying the entire fridge at once. First, take out all the food on one shelf, throw away expired food, wipe down the jars or containers, and clean the shelves and surrounding walls. Then dry everything and put it back in its place before moving on to the next one. If you work according to this rule, the kitchen will not be messy at all.

Q. What causes water to accumulate under the refrigerator drawer and how do I clean it?

A. This problem occurs when the drain hole or water drainage hole at the back of the refrigerator is blocked with food particles or dirt. As a result, condensed water cannot drain and accumulates at the bottom. Rules for cleaning it:

• Take out the lower drawers.
• Insert a long, thin brush or unclogging tool into the hole and clean the dirt.
• Pour a little warm water into the hole with a syringe and wash away the dirt inside.
• Finally, wipe the surrounding water thoroughly with a dry cloth.

Q. How to safely remove mold and odor from the inside of the refrigerator?

A. Never use bleach or harsh chemicals inside the refrigerator, as it can damage the plastic and spread food poisoning. First, throw away rotten food and clean the drain hole (because mold falls here due to moisture). Then wipe all the inside parts with warm soapy water and a microfiber cloth. To keep the refrigerator odor-free, you can always keep a sliced ​​lemon in the refrigerator and always cover strong-smelling foods in an airtight box.

Q. Can dish soap be used to clean the outside of stainless steel or black stainless steel?

A. No, dish soap should not be used on the outside of the refrigerator. Using dish soap can leave streaks or marks on the steel. Instead, wipe the outside of the fridge with a clean microfiber cloth dampened with a little warm water (or use a special liquid stainless steel cleaner). For black stainless steel, look at it from an angle or with your phone’s camera to see fingerprints better, and always wipe in one direction, not in a circular motion.

Q. Why is it important to clean the refrigerator coils and how can I do it safely?

A. When dust, dirt, and pet hair accumulate on the refrigerator coils, the refrigerator uses twice as much energy to cool, which results in higher electricity bills. Rules for cleaning it safely:

• Be sure to unplug the fridge before cleaning.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a small brush attachment or a dry hand brush to clean the dirt.
• Never use a wet or damp cloth, as water can damage the coils or cause an electrical accident.
• If the coils are in a very tight space or out of your reach, it would be wise to seek the help of a professional technician.