How to Properly Clean Your Refrigerator
Most people wipe fridge spills when they happen but never actually deep clean the whole unit. Here's how to do it properly — including the parts that cause odours and the spots that get missed.
How Often to Deep Clean Your Fridge
Every 3–4 months for a complete clean. Monthly spot-checks for spills and expired food.
Step 1: Empty Everything Out
Remove all food. Discard anything expired, freezer-burned, or unidentifiable. Put items that need to stay cold into a cooler with ice while you clean.
Step 2: Remove All Shelves and Drawers
Take out every removable shelf, drawer, and compartment. Let glass shelves come to room temperature before washing in warm water — cold glass + hot water can crack it.
Step 3: Wash Shelves and Drawers
Wash in warm soapy water, rinse, and dry completely before returning. For stubborn dried spills, soak for 10 minutes before scrubbing.
Step 4: Clean the Interior
Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 litre of warm water. Wipe down every interior surface — walls, ceiling, floor, and the inside of the door including door shelves. Baking soda cleans without leaving a chemical residue that can affect food taste.
Step 5: The Door Seals
The rubber gasket around the door is where mould hides. Clean it with a toothbrush dipped in a baking soda and water paste. If you see black mould in the folds of the seal, clean thoroughly — this is a common source of fridge odours.
Step 6: Clean the Drip Pan
Most fridges have a drip pan underneath (accessible from the front or back). This rarely-cleaned component is often the source of mysterious fridge odours. Pull it out, wash it with soapy water, and rinse.
Step 7: Clean the Exterior
Wipe down the exterior including the top (dust accumulates heavily there), doors, and handles. For stainless steel, wipe with the grain using a microfibre cloth and a stainless steel cleaner.
Eliminating Fridge Odours
After cleaning, place an open box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb future odours. Replace every 3 months. Activated charcoal sachets work even better for persistent odours.
Fridge cleaning is included in every Maidless deep clean. Book at maidless.ca.