How to Deep Clean a Fridge (Step-by-Step Guide)

Cleaning your refrigerator regularly is essential to prevent contamination and the growth of bacteria. If you’ve been wondering how to deep clean a fridge efficiently—or looking for the best way to clean fridge interiors and exteriors without harsh chemicals—you’re in the right place. In addition to being good for your health, regular care is key to prolonging the lifespan of your appliance. Although it’s a time‑consuming task, it should be part of your household routine.

In this article, the professional maids at Yorleny’s Cleaning Services will walk you through what to clean refrigerator with, how to tackle tough spills, how to clean a stainless steel fridge exterior without streaks, and even how to clean refrigerator with vinegar for odor control. Let’s deep clean refrigerator surfaces the smart way!

Why Deep Cleaning Your Fridge Matters

The refrigerator is an essential element of the kitchen. For this appliance to perform its function properly, we must keep it in hygienic condition to prevent contamination of our food and the buildup of unpleasant odors. Learning the best way to clean fridge shelves, drawers, and door seals helps protect your family’s health.

Health and Food Safety

Regular cleaning removes spills, crumbs, and other potential sources of contamination, reducing the risk of cross‑contamination and foodborne illness. If we don’t deep clean refrigerator interiors periodically, the food we accumulate over time can lead to the growth of bacteria and microorganisms, which in turn cause unpleasant odors and can contaminate fresh foods. Therefore the importance of knowing how to deep clean a fridge properly.

Odor Control and Freshness

Spills and rotting food produce unpleasant scents. A scheduled deep clean refrigerator session eliminates these odor sources and may help prevent pests from being attracted to the fridge. For stubborn smells, knowing how to clean refrigerator with vinegar (a natural deodorizer) is especially helpful. A clean refrigerator promotes a healthier kitchen environment and reduces stress around food storage.

Appliance Longevity and Efficiency

Built‑up grime and dust make the fridge work harder. Periodic deep cleaning—including wiping gaskets, clearing drain holes, and vacuuming condenser coils—helps preserve performance and extend the life of the appliance. The best way to clean fridge components is to combine interior sanitation with back‑of‑unit maintenance so it cools efficiently and uses less electricity.

When and How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Refrigerator?

Cleaning Frequency Recommendations

Every three to four months, you should deep clean refrigerator interiors from top to bottom. This helps prevent buildup of microorganisms, odors, and sticky spills. In between full cleans, do weekly maintenance: toss expired food, wipe visible drips, and refresh produce drawers. If you’ve recently handled raw meat leaks, spot clean immediately—the best way on how to deep clean a fridge safely is not to wait.

Signs Your Fridge Needs a Deep Clean

Persistent Odors: If you’ve removed expired food but still notice bad smells, it’s a clear sign you need to deep clean refrigerator walls, shelves, and drip trays.

Condensation and Frost: Excess moisture or frost on shelves and walls may signal airflow issues caused by grime, blocked vents, or dirty gaskets—time to review how to deep clean a fridge thoroughly.

Visible Mold or Grime: Mold, mildew, sticky rings, or mystery spills inside the fridge indicate bacterial buildup that can compromise food safety.

Food Spoilage: If foods spoil faster than expected—even at the proper temperature—interior contamination or poor airflow may be to blame. A full reset using the best way to clean fridge (empty, wash, sanitize, dry, restock) can help restore performance.

What You’ll Need – Safe and Effective Cleaning Supplies

To understand how to deep clean a fridge effectively, you’ll need the right tools and cleaning agents. You can refresh your refrigerator with household staples such as dishwashing soap, warm water, and a vinegar solution. Always check your owner’s manual for cleaning guidelines to avoid using materials that could harm your refrigerator.

Natural Cleaners: Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Lemon

Vinegar’s acidity softens food and oil buildup, making it easier to wipe up spills—an essential step when learning how to deep clean a fridge properly. Vinegar is especially effective for stubborn stains that have gone unnoticed on the walls and shelves.

To clean a refrigerator with vinegar, combine a 1:1 solution of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle, apply to spills, and wipe with a clean cloth. Lemon juice is a good alternative to vinegar since both share natural acidic properties.

Cleaning a refrigerator with baking soda and water is another great method because it neutralizes odors while gently cleaning interior walls. To clean the inside, use two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of hot water. This is especially crucial when cleaning surfaces that come in direct contact with food. A toothbrush works well for cleaning hard-to-reach crevices, hinges, and hardware. You can also keep baking soda inside the fridge between deep cleans to absorb unpleasant odors.

Tools: Sponges, Brushes, and Microfiber Cloths

When figuring out how to deep clean a fridge, having quality cleaning tools makes a big difference. Microfiber cloths are among the best-selling products for refrigerator cleaning because they’re soft, scratch-free, and leave no lint behind. Highly absorbent, they work well with or without water on various kitchen surfaces.

The main objective of refrigerator cleaning is to eliminate germs, so using a disinfectant cleaner is important. We recommend a multipurpose liquid cleaner that claims to remove up to 99% of viruses and bacteria.

When learning how to deep clean a fridge, it is essential to have the tool for tricky areas that a cloth can’t reach. A small cleaning brush is ideal. These brushes help clean tiny corners and the refrigerator’s drain pipe, ensuring it works properly for longer.

Odor Neutralizers: Activated Charcoal and Coffee Grounds

An important step in how to deep clean a fridge is odor elimination. Placing an open container of baking soda inside the fridge helps absorb lingering smells. Leave it there for at least 24 hours.

Vinegar and oatmeal are also effective odor neutralizers—simply leave a cup of white vinegar or a small aluminum container filled with oatmeal inside the fridge for 24 hours.

Freshly ground coffee or coffee beans enhance odor absorption when used alongside baking soda. After 24 hours, you can even reuse the coffee grounds as fertilizer for houseplants.

For a fresh aroma, try soaking a cotton ball in vanilla essence or placing a few orange slices in a container inside the fridge.

Step-by-Step: How to Deep Clean a Refrigerator

Step 1: Unplug and Empty the Fridge

The first step in how to deep clean a fridge is to unplug it from the power outlet to avoid wasting energy during cleaning and prevent accidents. It may sound obvious, but this is to help you avoid any kind of accident or problem.

Step 2: Remove Shelves and Drawers

To reach every corner and easily clean the refrigerator, it’s best to remove all food. Don’t worry, cleaning won’t take more than half an hour, so your food won’t spoil. We do recommend storing all your food in a cool, shady place where it won’t get too hot.

Then proceed to remove any accessories, racks, or glass shelves. At this point, you need to be very careful to avoid any accidents. Little by little, you should remove all removable accessories from the refrigerator, such as racks, egg trays, glass shelves, drawers, etc. You can wash these accessories separately, making everything easier and more effective.

Step 3: Wash Components with Food-Safe Cleaners

When following the process of how to deep clean a fridge, avoid any detergents or abrasive products. You can find specific refrigerator sanitizing products on sale, recommended or developed by the manufacturer. Another option is to clean the refrigerator with a homemade cleaning solution. You can mix warm water with neutral soap or prepare a solution with equal parts water and white vinegar. Another very popular solution is a mixture of baking soda and water.

Step 4: Wipe the Interior (Walls, Seals, Compartments)

When learning how to deep clean a fridge, you can use a sponge or microfiber cloth to clean the refrigerator (inside and out), the door seals, and any water tanks. For hard-to-reach areas, you can use an old toothbrush. Once clean, wipe it with a dry cloth. Don’t forget to clean the exterior of the appliance (door, handles, and rear grille).

Step 5: Deodorize and Dry

One of the most effective natural remedies for eliminating bad odors from your refrigerator is using baking soda. All you have to do is open the product as recommended and place it upright in your refrigerator. This will eliminate unpleasant odors. Baking soda will also help prevent your food from becoming impregnated with any unpleasant odors.

Step 6: Reassemble and Restock

After you’ve completed how to deep clean a fridge, carefully place the shelves and drawers back in their spots. This is a great time to reorganize your items for better accessibility and to avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw foods away from cooked ones. Once everything is arranged, plug the fridge back in, adjust the temperature, and enjoy the results of the best way to clean fridge for lasting freshness.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge Exterior

The most important thing to keep in mind when cleaning stainless steel refrigerators is to avoid using abrasive cleaners. Knowing how to deep clean a fridge includes learning the proper care for stainless steel surfaces. Keeping your stainless steel refrigerator spotless can seem like a challenge, but with the right tips and the best way to clean fridge exteriors, you can keep it sparkling clean and fingerprint-free.

Do’s and Don’ts for Shiny, Streak-Free Results

Do’s:

• To avoid scratches on stainless steel surfaces, use a soft touch and wipe with the grain, as recommended by cleaning and organization websites.
• To clean and dry, use a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, as recommended by appliance repair experts.
• For daily cleaning, a basic mix of warm water and dish soap works well.
• Consider using stainless steel cleaners.
• If necessary, use cleaners made specifically for stainless steel surfaces and adhere to the product recommendations.

Don’ts:

• Avoid using abrasive cleaners and scrubbers. Steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive cleaners can scratch and damage stainless steel surfaces, according to appliance repair and cleaning websites.
• Do not use chlorine-based cleansers or bleach. These might tarnish the stainless steel finish.
• Do not apply excessive pressure: Clean with mild pressure to avoid scratching the surface.
• Do not allow the refrigerator to air dry. Air drying might result in water stains and streaks.
• Do not use oven cleaner. Oven cleaning is excessively aggressive and can damage stainless steel surfaces.
• Do not use paper towels for drying. Lint and streaks can be left on the surface after using paper towels.
• Do not use ammonia or goods that contain ammonia. These can also cause harm to the stainless steel sheen.

Recommended Stainless Steel Cleaners

When you’re learning how to deep clean a fridge, choosing the right stainless steel products matters. For stainless steel refrigerators’ cleaners, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish, Bar Keepers Friend, and Therapy Clean Stainless Steel Cleaner are excellent options. These alternatives are recognized for their ability to remove fingerprints, smudges, and grime while leaving a streak-free finish. For a natural treatment, a vinegar and olive oil combo can be effective.

Tips for Keeping Your Fridge Clean Longer

Knowing how to deep clean a fridge is essential, but keeping it clean for longer requires consistent maintenance. Keeping your refrigerator clean and organized makes everyday life easier, ensures food safety, and promotes the longevity of this large appliance. Therefore, it’s important to follow some good practices:

• Regularly clean the door seals with warm water and mild soap. This helps keep them in good working order and prevents the growth of mold and bacteria.
• Keep the refrigerator at the recommended temperature (between 1°C and 4°C) to ensure proper food preservation and prevent excessive frost buildup.
• Check the condensation coils (on the back of the refrigerator) regularly and clean them if necessary.

Why Trust the Pros After Learning How to Deep Clean a Fridge

Expertise You Can Rely On

You now know how to deep clean a fridge—from scrubbing interior surfaces and removing stubborn odors to polishing stainless steel exteriors. But professional results go beyond techniques; Yorleny’s Cleaning Services brings trained staff who handle food-safe cleaning agents, use appliance-safe tools, and tackle Florida humidity and mold risks with precision.

Save Time, Protect Your Food, and Maintain Cleanliness

A thorough refrigerator deep clean takes time and attention. Our team ensures the best way to clean fridge, with every drawer, shelf, and vent is sanitized, organized, and odor-free—so you enjoy a safe, efficient kitchen without lifting a finger.

Ready to upgrade your clean? Skip the hassle—contact Yorleny’s Cleaning Services today for professional fridge deep cleaning tailored to Florida homes. Keep your kitchen fresh, safe, and organized effortlessly.

How to Deep Clean a Fridge: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean my refrigerator with baking soda?

To clean your refrigerator with baking soda, mix half a liter of warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda. Once you’ve prepared the baking soda cleaning solution, you can soak a sponge in the solution and wash all removable parts of the refrigerator (e.g., drawers and shelves).
Next, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the surfaces and remove any remaining baking soda. Then, dry all parts with a dry cloth. You can use the baking soda mixture to clean the interior and door seals. Put all food back in the appliance to complete how to deep clean a fridge effectively.

How do I keep my refrigerator clean?

It’s important to perform weekly and monthly maintenance on your refrigerator. It’s essential to frequently clean the shelves, drawers, and seals, and check the expiration date on food. For a deep clean, it’s important to gather essential utensils. Use refrigerator cleaning products and prepare homemade cleaning solutions at home. Options like baking soda or vinegar are great for maintaining the results of how to deep clean a fridge.

How do you clean refrigerator seals?

The seals on refrigerator doors are places where dirt, bacteria, and mold can accumulate. You can clean refrigerator seals with a homemade solution of warm water and mild soap, or prepare a homemade cleaning solution based on baking soda or vinegar. Keeping seals clean is also a crucial step in how to deep clean a fridge properly.