It’s officially the time of year to start spring cleaning, and you’re probably wondering how to clean your refrigerator.
If you’ve done your research and found yourself longingly watching #fridgegoals clips on TikTok, you may feel inspired to transform your refrigerator into one of these gleaming, perfectly organized and clean appliances.
But before you can even think about organizing apples and juice pouches into those irresistible matching plastic bins, you’ll need to deep-clean your refrigerator in order to achieve the desired effect. Here’s how to do the job.
What you’ll need to clean your refrigerator
This handy cooler is large enough to store whatever's in your fridge while you clean it out, holding up to 48 quarts of food. Plus, the ice retention will guarantee everything stays fresh and odorless.
You're bound to find expired or unwanted food items in your fridge during a deep clean. These sturdy trash bags will be essential when purging your refrigerator.
You'll want to keep your hands safe from harsh cleaning products or unexpected messes. These reusable rubber cleaning gloves will ensure your hands stay protected.
Your dishwashing soap can also be used to wash plastic bins, shelves and drawers in your fridge — especially if you find any lingering built-up oils or grease stains.
These non-scratch sponges will help you properly scrub every nook and cranny of your refrigerator. Safe to use on any kind of surface, they'll be able to get rid of tough messes and stains.
Not every mess in your refrigerator will require a deep scrub. For picking up a few loose crumbs or wiping down surfaces, this all-purpose cleaner will save the day. Better yet, it will leave behind a fresh, lemon scent.
When it comes to the tools used for scrubbing — sponges, rags, paper towels, etc. — I strongly recommend using a Dobie Pad. These non-scratch scrubber sponges are the perfect tool for scouring surfaces without causing any damage to plastic or glass.
Microfiber cloths will elevate your cleaning skills — use these to go over the interior of your refrigerator or reach hard-to-get spots.
If you've got stubborn surface stains on your refrigerator, this extra-durable magic eraser will do the trick.
Say good bye to pesky fingerprints and water marks. If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, this cleaner and polish will leave it sparkling.
Step 1: Take everything out of the refrigerator
In order to properly deep-clean a refrigerator, it needs to be totally empty, which means taking everything — yes, everything, including the box of baking soda — out of the unit. Stash highly perishable foods like milk or raw chicken in a cooler, or in the freezer, to avoid spoiling.
Once you’ve taken out the food, remove any detached shelves, drawers and door inserts.
Step 2: Throw out old and spoiled food
As you transfer food from the refrigerator to the cooler or freezer, check for spoiling and throw away anything that’s gone off, or that you simply know you will not use.
If your refrigerator is home to a lot of leftovers in food storage containers, this is a good time to review the contents and throw out any food that you know you will not consume. Disposing of leftovers can be an unpleasant task, but donning a pair of rubber household gloves can help to make scooping old food out from storage containers a less disgusting job.
Step 3: Wash shelves and drawers
Start by washing the shelves, drawers and/or door inserts you removed from the refrigerator, which can be done just like you wash dishes, using a sponge and dish soap.
However, don’t feel beholden to perform this entire operation in the kitchen: Because refrigerator shelves and crisper bins are bulky and oddly shaped, you might find it easier to wash those parts in the bathtub, a large utility sink or even outdoors with a hose. Nessa Misiuda, who documents her fridge cleaning process on Instagram and TikTok, uses the bathtub to rinse refrigerator shelves to avoid what she calls, “making a disaster around the kitchen sink.”
If the refrigerator shelves are made of tempered glass, a bit of caution is required when cleaning them. Priyanka Rathore, a former communication manager for KitchenAid, says, “It is important not to clean glass shelves or covers with warm water when they are cold. Shelves and covers may break if exposed to sudden temperature changes or impact, such as bumping.”
Step 4: Clean the interior of the refrigerator
When it comes to choosing a solution for cleaning the interior of a refrigerator, there are a number of options and personal choices that can certainly play a role. If using a disinfectant like diluted bleach makes you feel more comfortable, that is a fine choice. If using bleach in the place where you store your food makes you feel uncomfortable, that is also okay.
There are, however, some products to avoid when cleaning a refrigerator, Rathore says. “Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners such as window sprays, scouring cleansers, flammable fluids, cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents or cleansers containing petroleum products on plastic parts, interior and door liners or gaskets.”
In my own home, I typically use either a solution of diluted dish soap or a gentle all-purpose cleaning spray like Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. You can also choose from a slew of organic cleaning products.
When it comes to the tools used for scrubbing — sponges, rags, paper towels, etc. — I strongly recommend using a Dobie Pad. These non-scratch scrubber sponges are the perfect thing for scouring surfaces without causing any damage to plastic or glass.
After scrubbing with a sponge, use a microfiber cloth or paper towels to give the interior of the refrigerator a going-over. Use an old toothbrush to reach tight or oddly-shaped parts, and a thin cloth for cleaning the rubber seal around the door.
Step 5: Treat stubborn spills and stains with these tricks
To remove a stubborn, stuck-on mess, wet a sponge or rag with very hot water, wring it out and press it on the spill just as you would a compress, repeating as needed and being careful not to burn yourself with the hot water. The heat and moisture will reconstitute the dried-on mess, making it pliable and easy to wipe up.
To treat surface stains, try a Magic Eraser. Simply wet the eraser sponge, squeeze it out and rub it vigorously on the stain.
Step 6: Clean the exterior
The exterior of plastic refrigerators can be cleaned in the same way as the interior, using a microfiber cloth or sponge with a mild cleaning solution. Stainless steel refrigerators can be wiped clean using a microfiber cloth; very dirty exteriors may require a stainless steel cleaner, though typically one is not needed. If fingerprints and smudges often show up on your stainless steel appliances, a wax-based cleaner can help to prevent them
Regardless of material, don’t overlook the top of the refrigerator when cleaning its exterior, as it is likely very, very dirty.