Cleaning Your Refrigerator Properly
The refrigerator is among the most important and most overlooked deep cleaning targets in an Ontario home. Spills, food particles, and expired items accumulate in a cold environment where bacteria can still grow — and the door seals, bottom drawers, and interior ceiling of the refrigerator are areas where organic material goes unnoticed between full cleans.
Empty First
A proper refrigerator clean starts with emptying the entire refrigerator. This is non-negotiable — cleaning around a full fridge means almost none of the interior gets actually cleaned. Remove all shelves and drawers and wash them in the sink with warm soapy water. Allow to dry fully before replacing — wet shelves going back into a cold fridge develop condensation that adds moisture.
Interior Surfaces
Wipe all interior walls, the ceiling, and the door interior with a damp cloth and a mild all-purpose cleaner or a 1:1 white vinegar-water solution. The vinegar solution is particularly good for refrigerators — it cleans, deodorizes, and leaves no residue that will transfer to food. Pay specific attention to the bottom interior where drips accumulate and to the interior corners around the drawer openings.
Door Seals
The rubber door gaskets accumulate food particles and mould in the ridges — cleaning these is one of the most impactful parts of a refrigerator deep clean that most people skip. A stiff brush (a toothbrush works well) dipped in soapy water or diluted vinegar solution scrubbed through the gasket ridges removes the accumulated material. Dirty door seals are one of the leading causes of refrigerator odour.
Exterior
Wipe the door exterior, handle, and top surface. For stainless steel exteriors, use a stainless steel cleaner applied with the grain to avoid streaking.