How do I clean my fridge inside and out?

How to clean a fridge step by step

Counter space is tight in most HDB and condo kitchens, so clear the dining table and lay a towel down for shelves and drawers. Choose a morning when stocks are low, for example the day before your market or supermarket run. That way there is less food to keep cold.

1. Switch off and unplug. Turn the fridge off at the wall switch, then pull the plug out with dry hands.
2. Empty it into a cooler box. Pack meat, seafood and milk first, and throw out anything expired or doubtful.
3. Remove shelves and drawers. Let glass shelves come up to room temperature before they meet warm water.
4. Wash the removable parts. Use warm water with a little dish soap and a soft sponge on sauce rings, then rinse and dry.
5. Wipe the inside. Work from the back wall forward with a cloth wrung out in mild soapy water or a baking soda solution, including the grooves where shelves slot in.
6. Rinse and dry. Wipe again with a cloth dampened in plain water, then dry every surface.
7. Refit and restart. Put everything back, switch on, and wait until it feels cold before loading food.

If you are cleaning the whole kitchen in one go, the kitchen deep clean checklist shows where the fridge fits alongside the hob, hood and cabinets.

Door seals, drip tray and coils

The rubber gasket round the door holds the cold in. When it gets sticky or packed with crumbs, the door may not shut fully and the fridge works harder. To clean fridge door seal folds, run a cloth dipped in mild soapy water along each crease, use an old toothbrush in the corners, then dry it.

Many models have a drip tray near the bottom or back that catches defrost water. Slide it out if your manual allows, wash it and dry it. Coils behind or under the fridge collect dust; vacuum them gently with a brush attachment while the fridge is unplugged.

Getting rid of fridge smells

Smells nearly always have a source. Before buying a deodoriser, look for the usual culprits: a leaking pack of chicken or fish, half an onion, leftover curry in an open bowl, or juice that has dripped under the crisper drawer. Remove it, clean the spot, and the odour usually fades.

For fridge smell removal after the clean, leave an open box or bowl of baking soda on a shelf and replace it every few months. A shallow dish of dried used coffee grounds helps for a short spell, which is handy after a power cut spoils food. Seal belacan, salted fish and kimchi in airtight boxes so their smell does not drift into butter and cakes.

If the smell seems to follow you round the kitchen, the home cleaning checklist helps you track down the bin, sink and other spots that hold odours.

Cleaners to avoid

Food sits on these surfaces, so keep products gentle. Abrasive powders and scouring pads scratch plastic liners, and strongly scented or solvent-based sprays can leave residue that taints food.

Bleach is not needed for a routine fridge clean. Never mix bleach with acid-based cleaners or ammonia. Combining products can release harmful fumes, and our guide to mixing cleaning products sets out which pairs to keep apart.

Keep every cleaner in its original labelled container and store it out of children's reach, not on the floor beside the fridge. HealthHub advises that if a child may have swallowed a chemical, you seek medical attention immediately, do not feed the child anything, and note the time and the substance to tell the medical professional. It also suggests keeping a first aid kit at home and a list of emergency numbers next to the phone.

Keep it running well

Small habits keep a clean fridge working well. Shut the door promptly instead of standing with it open while you plan dinner, and let hot food cool before it goes in. Leave a small gap behind and beside the fridge so the coils can release heat, which matters in a warm kitchen. For the right temperature setting, follow the maker's manual rather than turning the dial to its coldest.

When the time comes to replace it, the NEA Energy Label helps you identify more energy efficient refrigerators. Our energy saving FAQ has more ideas for cutting household power use.

When to get help

One person can usually clean a fridge in a morning. If you would rather fold it into a bigger job, such as handing back a rental flat, deep cleaning services may cover kitchen appliances, but only when the quote lists them. Name the fridge, freezer and the floor behind it when you ask. Quotes depend on the job.

Questions