You’ve been meaning to clean your fridge for months now, but you just never seem to find the time. We totally understand!
Cleaning your fridge is not a fun task for most people. But it is a necessity—not only to keep your appliance in tip-top condition but also to keep the food you serve your family safe and fresh.
We’ll walk you through the basics of how to clean the fridge—both inside and out!
Why Cleaning Your Fridge is Important
Your fridge may look clean on the outside, but if you have a look at the inner shelves and drawers, you’ll likely find quite a bit of grime. If you don’t clean it out regularly it can get pretty nasty in there!
Just a few of the reasons you should clean your fridge regularly:
- Keeps your fridge in good condition
- Ensures that your food stays fresh and doesn’t spoil
- Eliminates unpleasant odors coming from the fridge
- Stops bacteria and mold from growing and possibly contaminating your food
Where to Begin
You know how important it is to clean your fridge regularly. But what if you don’t know how to clean the fridge?
There’s no one answer to the question of how to clean the fridge.
We like to start by gathering our cleaning supplies. We find that having everything we need on hand makes the cleaning process a lot easier. Here’s our all-star list of supplies for cleaning the fridge:
- warm water
- all-purpose cleaner or vinegar
- microfiber cloths
- a spray bottle
- rubber gloves
- sponges
- mild dish soap
- baking soda
- a toothbrush
We are big fans of vinegar as a cleaning agent, especially when working near food. Not only does it disinfect and remove dirt and grime, but it’s also a natural odor-eliminator.
Dilute some white distilled vinegar with some warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. This will be your all-purpose cleaning solution.
Microfiber cloths are a great way to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Primarily made of nylon and polyester, microfiber cloths are designed to attract and hold dust, dirt, and other particles. They’re also lint-free, so they won’t leave any streaks or residue on your appliance. Read more about the benefits of cleaning with it here, as well as how to wash it for reuse.
Steps for Cleaning the Fridge
Here’s how to clean fridge step by step:
Take everything out of the fridge
Gather all of the food from the shelves and drawers and set it on the counter. Remember to put the perishables in a cooler if you’re going to be cleaning for a while.
Clean the shelves and drawers
Take out the glass shelves and drawers to clean them in the sink with hot water and mild dish soap. To avoid cracks on your fridge’s glass components, let the glass warm to room temperature before submerging it in hot water.
To get rid of stubborn spills on the shelves, cover them with a damp paper towel or cloth for a few minutes until they soften. Then use a non-abrasive scrubber to remove the food residue. Be sure to pay special attention to the bottom of the drawers, as these are spots that tend to attract dirt and debris.
Rinse everything off with hot water when you’re finished cleaning and let it air-dry completely before putting it back in the fridge.
Clean the inside of the fridge
Now that the shelves and drawers are clean, it’s time to tackle the inside of the fridge.
Pour your vinegar and water solution into a spray bottle and start spritzing. We like to use a toothbrush to get into all of the nooks and crannies, but you can also use a sponge to wipe down the inside of the fridge, including the walls, ceiling, and floor. To avoid drips on freshly cleaned surfaces, clean from the top down.
To get rid of weird smells, spritz a mixture of one part baking soda and seven parts water and wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
Clean your fridge’s gasket
Don’t forget about the rubber gasket around the fridge door! Cleaning it regularly is key to maintaining a tight seal and preventing cold air from escaping.
For normal grime, use warm water and liquid dish soap; if there is mold, use a bleach-based cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and dry off the surfaces with a clean cloth. To prevent the seal from drying out, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly over it after cleaning.
Clean the outside of your fridge
Wipe your fridge’s exterior with a damp cloth and some all-purpose cleaner to remove any dust or dirt. Be sure to pay special attention to the handles, as they tend to be a magnet for grime.
Remember to wipe the top of the fridge, too; although this area might not see the day-to-day traffic of the handles and doors, dust can accumulate there over time.
Replace everything in the fridge
Wipe down each condiment bottle, can of soda, and carton of eggs before returning them to your fridge. And you’re done!
Now that you know how to clean a fridge like a pro, it’s easy to keep your appliance looking and smelling fresh. Follow these simple steps regularly, and your fridge will stay sparkling clean all year long.
Need Professional Cleaning Services?
PCT Clean is a proudly homegrown cleaning company serving the cities of Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs, Dallas, and Acworth. We have a team of fully trained and insured cleaners, who know how to clean your home or office the right way.
If you’d like more time to enjoy life, give us a call at (770) 422-5326 and we’ll give you a free quote for whatever cleaning services you need.
Schedule a cleaning today, and rest assured that your house will be the cleanest one on the block!
