🔧 Guidebeginner
Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
Eliminate odors and bacteria with a thorough refrigerator cleaning. Follow this step-by-step guide to sanitize your fridge interior and keep your food fresh.
By SunFixes Tech Team
📅 10/9/2025
⏱️ 7 min read
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Time Required
1-2 hours
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Difficulty
beginner
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Tools Needed
Cooler or ice chest, Sponge or cloth, Bucket or basin
⚠️ Safety Tips for Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
- •If you use warm water or cleaning solution on glass shelves, allow them to come to room temperature first to avoid shattering cold glass
- •Unplug the refrigerator during cleaning if the doors will be open for an extended time
- •Avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch interior surfaces
# Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
Regularly cleaning the inside of your refrigerator keeps food safe and odors at bay. Spills and forgotten leftovers can cause bacteria and mold growth, so a periodic deep clean is important.
## How Often to Clean the Fridge Interior
- Wipe spills immediately when they happen
- Minor cleaning of shelves every month
- Full deep clean every 3-4 months (or after any spoiled food incident)
## Why Clean Regularly?
- Prevent unpleasant odors
- Stop mold and bacteria that can spoil food
- Improve cooling efficiency by allowing good airflow around clean shelves and vents
## Step-by-Step Instructions: Deep Clean the Fridge
Empty your refrigerator and follow these steps for a thorough cleaning.
Step-by-Step Guide for Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
1
Empty the Refrigerator
Take out all food items. Place perishable items in a cooler with ice packs to keep them cold. Discard anything expired or spoiled.
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This is a good opportunity to check expiration dates and throw away old condiments or leftovers hiding in the back.
2
Remove Shelves and Drawers
Carefully take out removable shelves, crisper drawers, and door bins. Most can be lifted or unclipped easily. Set them aside for separate cleaning.
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If a glass shelf is very cold, let it warm up a bit before washing to avoid cracking it with hot water.
3
Wash Shelves and Drawers
Wash all removed parts in a sink or tub of warm, soapy water. Use a sponge or dish cloth to scrub away sticky spills. Rinse and let them air dry on a towel.
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For tough stains or odors, add a little baking soda to your washing water for extra cleaning power and deodorizing.
4
Wipe Down Interior Surfaces
Using a sponge or cloth dipped in a mild detergent solution (or a mix of 2 tablespoons baking soda in a quart of warm water), wipe all interior walls, floor, and inside doors of the fridge. Scrub any dried spills or stains.
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Do not forget corners, seams, and the rubber door gaskets. Clean these areas gently to remove hidden grime.
5
Rinse and Dry
Wipe all surfaces again with a cloth dampened in clean water to remove any soap residue. Then dry everything with a clean towel. A dry interior helps prevent mildew.
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Leave the refrigerator door open for a few minutes after cleaning to air it out and ensure all moisture evaporates.
6
Return Shelves and Food
Put back the dry shelves, drawers, and bins in their proper places. Then return the food, wiping off any sticky jars or containers before placing them back.
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Consider using an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors between cleanings.
🔧 When to Call a Professional for Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
Persistent odors or cooling problems may require a professional to inspect hidden components, like the drain pan or cooling system. If mold has penetrated seals or insulation, those may need professional replacement.
Ready for expert help? Review our Appliance Repair Orlando coverage to see neighborhoods we serve.
Signs it's time to call us for Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
- •Lingering bad odors persist even after a thorough cleaning (could indicate spills in areas like the drip pan or insulation)
- •The refrigerator interior has mold you cannot remove or keeps returning quickly
- •You notice the fridge isn’t cooling properly after cleaning
Related Topics for Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Interior
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- •Not cooling properly
- •Ice maker not working
- •Water dispenser issues
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