Why Deep Clean Your Fridge?

Ever smell something strange from your refrigerator and are not sure exactly where it’s coming from? Sometimes spot cleaning is not enough. Deep cleaning your refrigerator clears out any odors or hidden messes. I have been cleaning appliances at a used appliance store for about ten years and am here to give you a step-by-step guide with the best tips I’ve learned.

Since the refrigerator will be getting a deep, thorough cleaning, it’s best to remove any food from the fridge and freezer. Store food in a cooler with ice or another refrigerator if you have access to one. Make sure the refrigerator is first turned off and then unplugged before beginning.

Supplies

apron or clothing that can get dirty
disposable cleaning gloves
scraping tool (such as a razor blade)
bucket
dish soap
warm water
rags
paper towels
Magic Eraser (you can make your own using melamine foam)
Windex (or a similar window cleaning product)
Clorox Clean-Up (or a similar bleach product)
Spray Nine (or another multipurpose cleaner)
Goo Gone (or a similar product for removing sticky substances)
Stainless steel polish (if cleaning a stainless-steel refrigerator)
about 2 hours of time

Step 1: Inside Refrigerator Section

Spray the inside of the refrigerator section with bleach cleaner, including the inside of drawers, especially any moldy areas.
Remove the shelves and drawers. Beware of any removable glass shelves that could break. Wash the shelves and drawers in a sink full of warm, soapy water. Use the Magic Eraser or scraper tool for any hard-to-remove substances on the parts. Dry the parts with a clean rag or allow them to air dry. Spray the glass shelves with Windex and dry them with paper towels. Set the parts aside for later.
Wash the inside of the refrigerator section with a rag and a bucket of warm, soapy water (about one tablespoon of dish soap per bucket).
Use the scraper tool for any hard-to-remove substances, such as a sticker.
Another way to remove sticky substances is by using Goo Gone. Apply about a teaspoon of Goo Gone to the substance you wish to remove and wait five minutes before removing it with a paper towel (Goo Gone is very greasy).
Use a Magic Eraser for any hard-to-remove marks or stains.
Make sure to clean the gaskets around the doors and spray the bleach cleaner on any mold. Dirt can get caught in between the folds of the gaskets. Be careful not to pull them apart too far or they will tear. Use Magic Eraser for any hard-to-remove marks.
Return the clean shelves to the refrigerator.

Step 2: Freezer Section

Spray the inside of the freezer section with bleach cleaner, including any shelves.
Remove any shelves and wash in a sink full of warm, soapy water. Dry with a clean rag or allow them to air dry. Set the shelves aside for later.
Wash the inside of the freezer section with a rag and a bucket of warm, soapy water.
Use the scraper tool and Goo Gone where needed.
Use a Magic Eraser for any hard-to-remove marks or stains.
Make sure to clean the gaskets around the freezer doors and spray the bleach cleaner on any mold.
Return the clean shelves to the freezer.

Step 3: Outside

Spray the outside of the refrigerator with the multipurpose cleaner to get the worst of the dirt.
Don’t forget the sides and top.
Use a Magic Eraser for any hard-to-remove stains and Goo Gone for any sticky parts.
Rinse off the multipurpose cleaner with a rag and warm soapy water.
Spray the outside with bleach cleaner. Wash all areas of the outside with a damp rag.
Rinse the outside again with a rag and warm, soapy water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off all bleach cleaner from the refrigerator.
Spray the outside with Windex for extra shine. Use paper towels to dry to avoid getting any particles from the rag on the outside.
If the refrigerator is stainless steel, use the stainless steel polish as the final touch.