The refrigerator is the workhorse of your kitchen, quietly preserving your family’s meals and cherished ingredients. Over time, spills, odors, mold, and bacteria can take hold, making cleaning your fridge a vital task for maintaining a safe and healthy kitchen. The good news? Cleaning your fridge doesn’t have to be complicated or involve harsh chemicals. Using everyday items like baking soda and vinegar, you can preserve and restore freshness to your fridge in no time. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover the best way to clean your fridge, how to remove smells naturally, and how to keep it organized.
Why You Should Clean Your Fridge
A clean fridge isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about hygiene, efficiency, and better food preservation. Spills and expired food can harbor harmful bacteria and mold, putting your family at risk of foodborne illness. Cleaning ensures these contaminants don’t spread. Additionally, a tidy fridge prevents unpleasant smells from creeping into your otherwise fresh foods. Proper deodorizing will ensure meals stay appetizing.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before jumping in, gather these easy-to-find supplies for the job:
- Baking soda: A natural cleanser and odor absorber.
- White vinegar: A safe and effective mold killer.
- Warm water: For mixing cleaning solutions.
- Unscented dish soap: Gentle and residue-free.
- Microfiber cloths or sponges: For wiping surfaces without scratching.
- Scrub brush or toothbrush: To tackle tough spots and crevices.
- Large bowl or sink: For soaking removable fridge parts.
- Trash bags: For disposing of expired or spoiled items.
Step 1: Prep Your Cleaning Session
Start by removing all items. Check for expired or spoiled products and dispose of them. Place perishable items you plan to keep in a cooler with ice packs to keep them at a safe temperature (below 40°F), in line with FDA recommendations.
For noticeable grime, you can take out the removable parts and soak them in warm, soapy water. This loosens any stuck-on residue, making it easier to clean. Wash thoroughly and allow them to air-dry completely before placing them back into the refrigerator.
Step 2: Deep Clean the Interior
Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water. This gentle solution will clean surfaces without leaving harmful residues. Using a damp microfiber cloth, clean all of the interior surfaces—walls, shelves, bins, drawers, etc. Focus on removing any sticky spots where spills may have occurred. A toothbrush or Q-tip can be used to reach into crevices, like the door seals or corners, where crumbs and dirt often collect.
How to Clean Mold:
Mold inside your refrigerator is both unsightly and hazardous. Here’s how to safely eliminate it:
- Mix a Mold-Fighting Solution using equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Apply the vinegar solution directly to the affected areas and let it sit for 10 minutes to kill the spores.
- Wipe away easy-to-lift areas with a clean paper towel.
- Use a scrub brush or sponge to remove any stuck-on mold.
- Rinse with clean water and thoroughly dry the area.
How to Remove Fridge Odors:
To keep your fridge smelling fresh, place an open box or small open container of baking soda on a shelf to absorb odors. Replace it every three months for best results. Activated charcoal or a small bowl of dry coffee grounds can also neutralize smells! As a tip, always store fragrant foods, like onions or garlic, in sealed containers to prevent odors from spreading.
Step 3: Clean the Exterior
Don’t forget the outside of your fridge; it’s what everyone sees! Wipe down the fridge exterior with a mild cleaner or vinegar solution. Pay extra attention to handles, which can collect fingerprints and grease. For stainless steel refrigerators, you can also wipe the outside with a stainless steel cleaner to leave a streak-free shine.
Step 4: Reorganize
Once everything is clean and dry, organize your fridge to keep food fresh and safe. We have a full article on Simple Steps to Organize Your Fridge, but here are some quick highlights to consider:
- Meats and seafood should be in sealed containers and we recommend keeping them on the lowest shelf to avoid contamination.
- Store eggs in their original carton and place out of the way to avoid damaging any.
- Dairy items are best kept on the middle shelves, where the temperature is most consistent.
- Use the fridge’s crisper drawer to preserve fruits and veggies.
- Store them separately to prevent ethylene gas from spoiling delicate produce.
- Keep snacks and leftovers on eye-level shelves for quick access and reminders to eat them while they last.
An additional trick to fridge organization isn't just about the location of items in the fridge, but how deep towards the front or back of the refrigerator you place them. If you want to eat more of something, place it upfront in clear view to remind yourself and others at a glance. Items with lengthy shelf lives and rare uses can be pushed further back to make room for delicate or time-sensitive items.
If you'd like to reorganize your freezer at the same time, read our article on the best Ways to Store Foods in the Freezer.
Maintenance Tips for a Fresh Fridge
Keep your fridge tidy and odor-free with weekly checkups to discard expired items and wipe up spills as soon as you spot them. This dedication will help to prevent grime and odor buildup. Keep your fridge at 40°F or lower and your freezer at 0°F, per USDA guidelines. Replace your baking soda every three months or sooner to best reduce odors.
A sparkling fridge does more than just look great; it supports your family’s health and enhances the meals you're able to cook together. By following these steps, you’ll maintain a fridge that’s efficient, odor-free, and always ready for fresh ingredients.