Day 12: Clean Refrigerator and Freezer

Updated on June 12, 2024

Day 12: Clean Refrigerator and Freezer. In just 31 days, get your home in tip-top shape. Today’s task is to deep clean the refrigerator and freezer.

Welcome to day 12 of the 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home series!

Clean Refrigerator and Freezer

Today’s task is to clean your refrigerator.

You can do this one of two ways. You can empty it completely and then clean it all at once, or you can do it one shelf at a time.

I am a fan of the one shelf at a time because I often have to stop what I am doing to do things with the kids, and I don’t want a bunch of food sitting out spoiling.

But, if you think your refrigerator needs some rearranging, you may need to take everything out so you can move your shelves around after they are clean.

Remove Shelves

I remove each shelf and wash it in the sink with hot, soapy water. You can also use a paste of baking soda and water to clean off really stuck-on food.

While the shelf is drying a bit, I wash the walls of the fridge behind where I removed the shelf with a damp cloth. Then, I dry the shelf and put it back.

When returning items to your fridge, be sure to dispose of any expired or mystery items you may find there. I had quite a collection myself!

Nice clean shelves!

Make sure not to forget about the inside door of your refrigerator. Remove those shelves and clean them as well.

Clean Outside of the Refrigerator

Once the fridge’s inside is clean, focus your attention around the edge of the door. The rubber gasket can get pretty dirty. Wipe it out with a damp microfiber cloth.

RELATED: Freezer and Pantry Inventory

Clean the Freezer

Next, do the same steps with your freezer. You may need to get out a cooler to put your food in, but if you work fast, you can often clean it out quickly and get everything back in there without defrosting.

Use hot water if you can. Since it is so cold in your freezer, your cloth cools off quickly, making it hard to remove sticky drips.

Clean Ice Maker

Dump out your ice and clean your ice maker basket (if you have one). I like to do this every once in a while.

I don’t know about you, but I rarely use all the ice. Who knows how long the bottom ice has been sitting in there?

I save this ice in plastic bags for the cooler when camping, but you can dump it down the sink.

Put everything back in your freezer and place similar items together as you go. Make a note of anything you need to use for dinner soon!

Clean the Top and Sides of the Refrigerator

Now, clean the top of the fridge. Spray it with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe it clean. I use a mixture of vinegar and water.

Check at the bottom of your refrigerator. There should be a grate either in the front or back. Wash this grate in the sink with some warm, soapy water if it is removable. If not, vacuum all the dust from the vents.

While you have it open, use your crevice tool to vacuum your coils. This will help your refrigerator to run more efficiently. I have pets, and mine gets dirty with dust and fur.

Dry the grate and click it back into place.

Clean Behind the Refrigerator

Now, carefully pull the refrigerator out from the wall. Remove everything from the outside of the fridge and wipe down the front, sides, and back.

Pay particular attention to the door handles. They can get really gross and germy. A magic eraser can help remove any stuck-on dirt.

If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, use whatever stainless steel cleaner works best for you. Wipe with the grain and buff dry.

Now focus on the floor behind your fridge. Vacuum or sweep this area and wipe down with a damp cloth.

Move your refrigerator back in place.

This post is part of the 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home series. In just 31 days, you can get your home in tip-top shape.

This series includes deep cleaning lists, tips and tricks, ideas, and how-tos.

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