How to clean your fridge, inside and out

A clean refrigerator can keep food fresh for a longer period of time. Due to the moisture in the fridge, cross contamination can easily occur, so it’s necessary to take precautions. Plus, a stuffed fridge means some items are hidden away, causing food to go to waste.

Bottom line: A clean refrigerator not only looks and smells better, it will also function more efficiently and can ultimately save you money. Here’s how.

Clean living

My recommendation would be doing a top-to-bottom deep clean on the refrigerator every season, but at the bare minimum at least twice a year.

To begin, unplug the refrigerator or turn it off at the breaker switch. Although plastic shelves and drawers can be washed with hot water and dish soap while still cold, glass and ceramic parts have the potential to crack if not allowed to come to room temperature.

Empty the contents of the fridge into a waiting cooler. Toss expired packages, dubious leftovers and food that is no longer fresh.

Pretty on the inside

Next, remove empty shelves and drawers and set them aside.

Working from top to bottom, wipe down the fridge interior with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with 1 quart of hot water. Many people just reach for common soap, but that doesn’t always work as well, and it leaves behind a scent that can be unwanted on kitchen appliances.

For sticky or stubborn spills that have crystallized, increase the elbow grease using a non-abrasive scrubbing tool or lay warm, wet paper towels or cloths over the area for a few minutes to penetrate and loosen whatever’s on there.

Don’t forget to wipe down the inside of the door and hard-to-reach crevices that trap dirt and crumbs. Keep an old toothbrush on hand for cleaning awkward nooks and seams.

Since bulky drawers and shelves can be slippery when wet, consider wearing dishwashing gloves for a better grip. Then, using either the baking soda solution or mild dish soap and water, wash and dry the shelves and drawers.

Once the interior and the drawers and shelves are dry, replace everything, including the food, and turn the power back on.

Ice, ice baby

Freezers need to be kept in top shape like refrigerators, and because the freezer is a place for long-term storage, it often becomes more packed than the fridge.

I would recommend cleaning the freezer as often as the refrigerator, and the same steps apply.

Quick fix

For between cleanings, use this tip: To keep a clean-smelling fridge, place a small amount of coffee beans on a plate [inside the appliance] overnight. The coffee beans will soak up and mask any bad odours. Another reason to love coffee.

An open box of baking soda inside the fridge is a similar solution. Just be sure to write the date on the box and swap it for a fresh one every 30 days for optimal effectiveness.

Cleaning coils

And speaking of vacuuming, refrigerator coils attract dust like a magnet and are vital to peak performance. Appliance manufacturer GE says if the refrigerator is running cold, but not cold enough, dusty condenser coils may be the culprit.

In fact, GE notes that homes with pets that shed, or in areas that are particularly dusty (think garages), condenser coils collect dust more quickly.

Here’s GE’s advice for getting coils clean:

First unplug the refrigerator to minimize the possibility of electric shock.

If coils are on the bottom: Remove the base grille if necessary and use a refrigerator coil brush (you can find them online and at stores that sell appliances), then sweep or vacuum up any dirt and dust on the floor. Replace the grille and plug the appliance back in.

If coils are on the back: Move the fridge away from the wall carefully and wipe away accumulated dirt and dust. Sweep or vacuum up anything that fell on the floor. Finally move the fridge back into place, being careful to avoid running over cords or tubing, and plug it back in.

If coils are on the top: For built-in appliances, disconnect the power at the fuse box or circuit breaker, then raise the grille panel at the top of the refrigerator. Be warned: The condenser fins have sharp edges. Wear a protective long-sleeved shirt and gloves for safety.

If you have a model with the condenser coils located at the very back of the machine behind the compressor, you will have to reach through the middle with a soft bristle brush to loosen dust and lint on the condenser fins, then use a vacuum hose to remove the dirt. When you’re done, restore the power.

If you have misplaced the owner’s manual for your refrigerator, check the manufacturer’s website to see if there are specific directions for your model.

The big finish

Finally, wipe down the outside of the refrigerator from top to bottom.

On a fridge with an enameled steel surface, wipe it down with a soft cloth and mild soap and water, or a fresh mixture of the baking soda and water solution used earlier.

For stainless steel surfaces, dab a few drops of baby oil on a clean microfiber cloth and rub the surface along the grain.