11.27.2022

How To Clean A Fridge And Eliminate Odors - Tom's Guide

Every household needs one of the best refrigerators (opens in a new tab) to keep their food cold and longer. And just as it's important to keep our kitchen countertops and floors spotless, it's important to know how to clean a refrigerator, inside and out.

The fridge is the number one spot for spills and leaks, and just like our other kitchen appliances, it's important to clean your fridge regularly to remove everyday dirt and bacterial spores. In fact, one of the most common mistakes we all make is not cleaning frequently.

Although learning how to properly clean a refrigerator may seem like a daunting task, there is an easy method to clean it without much effort. After you've thoroughly cleaned your entire fridge, you'll also benefit from these 5 tips for organizing your fridge so food lasts longer. So if you want to take care of your fridge, follow our step-by-step guide on how to clean a fridge and remove odors.

1. Empty the fridge

empty fridge

Empty fridge (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Empty the contents of your fridge first before proceeding with a deep cleaning. Discard stale food, old spice jars, or other old items. Refrigerated items such as dairy, meat and other items can be placed in an insulated bag or cooler to keep them cool. It is advisable to clean and refill the fridge before going to the weekly shop!

2. Remove shelves and salad bins

refrigerator shelves

Fridge shelves (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Next, remove all of the pull-out shelves , door shelves, and the salad rack. Wash thoroughly in the sink with warm, soapy water, using a small brush to get into corners, crevices, or hard-to-reach places. After washing, allow the racks and salad bowls to dry naturally on the rack or by hand with a clean towel.

3. Clean the inside of your refrigerator

Clean refrigerator

Clean the fridge (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Now you can start working on the interior design. You can easily make your own cleaning solution by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water in a bowl or spray bottle. Work from top to bottom with a sponge or cloth to prevent drips from getting onto clean surfaces. To get into the grooves, use an old toothbrush or toothpick to reach into the small crevices or around the hinges.

Don't forget to clean the rubber seal around the refrigerator door to remove any sticky residue, grease or everyday dirt. This ensures a perfect seal and keeps your fridge in good condition. When everything is clean, wipe everything down with a clean towel.

4. Clean the outside of your refrigerator.

Clean the refrigerator door with a cloth.

Wipe down the fridge door with a cloth (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Then take a rag with the same solution to clean the outside of your fridge, rubbing away any spills, stains, or dirty fingerprints. Pay particular attention to door handles, which can harbor bacteria, and even above the fridge, which is often overlooked.

If you are cleaning a stainless steel refrigerator, there are several ways to clean stainless steel . However, always wipe in the direction of the grain with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching. After thoroughly cleaning and drying the fridge, you can put the shelves, crisper drawers and food drawers back in place.

How do you get rid of odors?

Baking soda on the fridge shelf

Baking soda on fridge shelf (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Whether something went wrong in the back of the fridge or something was spilled, fridges are prone to lingering smells. A good solution is to keep a small bowl or dish of baking soda in the fridge. Or you can even sprinkle some in the drawer or on the side shelves. Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent and deodorant that eliminates bad odors.


If you want to know more, check out these 10 Things You Didn't Know You Can Clean With Baking Soda . Just think of these things you should never clean with baking soda to avoid damage.

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