The refrigerator is one of the most-used appliances in any home and one of the least-cleaned. A proper fridge clean — inside and out — takes about 45–60 minutes and makes a noticeable difference to both the smell of your kitchen and the lifespan of your appliance. Here's how to do it properly.
How Often Should You Clean the Refrigerator?
- Quick wipe-down (spills, shelves) — once a week
- Full interior clean (remove all food, clean shelves and drawers) — once a month
- Deep clean including coils — twice a year
For move-out situations, a full inside-and-out fridge clean is a standard part of a move-out clean — and one of the things landlords check carefully.
What You'll Need
- Warm water and dish soap, or a baking soda solution (2 tbsp baking soda per quart of warm water)
- All-purpose spray (food-safe)
- Microfibre cloths
- A soft sponge or non-scratch scrub pad
- A toothbrush or narrow brush for door seals and vents
- A cooler or insulated bag for food storage during cleaning
Avoid harsh bleach or strong chemical cleaners inside the fridge — the food contact risk is real, and most don't rinse cleanly.
Step 1: Empty and Sort
Remove all food from the refrigerator. This is the right time to check expiry dates. Put anything that needs to stay cold into a cooler with ice. Leave the fridge plugged in — you don't need to turn it off for a standard interior clean.
Step 2: Remove Shelves and Drawers
Take out all removable shelves, drawers, and bins. Glass shelves from cold fridges can crack if placed directly in hot water — let them come to room temperature first, then wash with warm soapy water. Drawers can be washed in the sink with dish soap.
Step 3: Clean the Interior Walls
Wipe down the walls, ceiling, and floor of the fridge with your baking soda solution or food-safe all-purpose spray. Work from top to bottom. For stuck-on spills, let the solution sit for a minute before wiping. The baking soda solution is effective and leaves no chemical residue.
Use a toothbrush or narrow brush for door seals — these harbour bacteria and are often neglected. The seal folds are where mould typically starts if the fridge isn't cleaned regularly.
Step 4: Clean Door Shelves
Wipe down each door shelf. These are often the stickiest areas — condiment drips, juice residue, egg trays. If door bins are removable, wash them separately in the sink.
Step 5: Reassemble and Replace Food
Once everything is dry, return shelves, drawers, and bins to the fridge. Wipe each food container before returning it — this keeps the clean fridge clean. Replace any food that has expired.
Step 6: Clean the Exterior
Wipe down the front, sides, and top of the fridge with an appropriate cleaner:
- Stainless steel — use a stainless cleaner or a small amount of mineral oil on a cloth, wiping with the grain. Avoid all-purpose sprays that leave streaks.
- White or black enamel — all-purpose spray and a microfibre cloth.
- Top of fridge — dusty and often overlooked. Wipe with a damp cloth.
Clean the door handles, control panel, and dispenser (if present). Water dispenser drip trays are frequently skipped — remove and rinse them.
Step 7: Clean Under the Fridge and Coils (Deep Clean)
Twice a year, pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum the condenser coils — usually at the back or underneath. Dusty coils force the compressor to work harder, reducing efficiency and lifespan. While it's pulled out, sweep and mop the floor behind it.
Fridge Cleaning During a Move-Out
Ontario tenants are expected to leave the property in the same condition as when they moved in. A landlord's inspection will check the fridge interior — if it's left with sticky drawers, old spills, or food residue, the cost of professional cleaning can be deducted from your deposit.
Maidless's move-out cleaning service includes inside the fridge as standard. Book a move-out clean in Toronto or see pricing at maidless.ca/house-cleaning-toronto. All prices include HST.