How to Clean and Maintain Your Refrigerator

How often should you clean your refrigerator?

Regular maintenance keeps your refrigerator running well and stops your food from spreading bacteria. Use this quick-reference guide to stay on schedule:

Read your refrigerator's user manual to see if your model has specific maintenance requirements. Some manufacturers suggest different schedules for water filters, coils or specialized fridge parts.

This schedule works for most households, but feel free to adjust it based on how much use your fridge gets. Families with kids or those who cook daily may need to clean more often, while those who live alone may get away with doing some cleaning tasks less frequently.

How to clean a refrigerator

To tackle this job properly, you’ll need a cleaning toothbrush, some all-purpose spray cleaner, a box of baking soda, a fresh dish sponge and a clean microfiber cloth. If your fridge is stainless steel, you’ll also need some dedicated stainless steel cleaner and some paper towels.

Start by unplugging your fridge or deactivating the cooling mechanism. Remove all food items from your fridge and place them on your counter. Decide what to keep and what to throw away. If you have a chest freezer, temporarily transferring your frozen food there is a good idea. Now it’s time to start cleaning.

1. Remove all shelves and drawers

Carefully pull all shelves, drawers and compartments out of your fridge and place them on your counter or kitchen table. Spray them thoroughly with an all-purpose cleaner, then sprinkle on a little baking soda to help deodorize. Let the mixture of cleaner spray and baking soda sit as you move to the next steps.

2. Spray and wipe the inside of the fridge

Spray and wipe all flat surfaces inside your fridge, making sure each area is wet before passing the microfiber cloth over it. Pay special attention to any stains or marks.

3. Clean the nooks and crannies

Use your cleaning toothbrush laden with cleaner spray to access all the hard-to-reach areas inside your fridge, removing any dirt, debris and food particles you find there. These areas include the spaces at the back of the fridge that don’t normally see the light of day along with the grooves that house your shelves and drawers.

4. Clean the door gaskets

Use your cleaning toothbrush and some more all-purpose cleaner to gently scrub all the door gaskets, removing any bits of food and dirt trapped along their length.

5. Clean the shelves and drawers

Return to the shelves and drawers on your counter, using a fresh, dampened dish sponge to scrub them thoroughly, one at a time, until they’re perfectly clean. Then rinse any remaining cleaner and baking soda away, dry them, and gingerly replace them in your fridge.

6. Clean the exterior

For plastic fridges, use the same all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth to clean the outside. If your cloth is dirty, swap it out for a fresh one or switch to a paper towel. Stainless steel fridges clean up better with dedicated stainless steel cleaner spray. Either way, once everything sparkles, you can return your food to your freshly cleaned fridge and switch it back on.

» LEARN: Does a home warranty cover refrigerators?

Cleaning tips for different fridge types

Different fridge styles need different cleaning tricks to keep them working well. Knowing what makes your model unique helps you clean it better without damaging anything.

Top-freezer refrigerators

These classic models have coils on the back or bottom that get dusty and make your fridge work harder than it should. Vacuum them every six months with a coil brush.

If your freezer isn't the frost-free kind, you'll need to chip away ice buildup now and then. Use a plastic scraper for this, since metal tools can poke holes in the cooling lines. Luckily, the basic shelf layout makes cleaning easy.

Bottom-freezer refrigerators

The lower freezer drawer is a magnet for crumbs and spills that drip down from above. Pull it completely out to clean it and check the tracks for gunk. Check the door seals carefully, since they tend to wear out faster in these fridge types. And definitely clean under the crisper drawers up top — that's where mystery liquids love to hide.

Side-by-side refrigerators

Those skinny up-and-down sections can be tough to reach into. Take everything out so you can get to the back. Your ice and water dispenser needs extra attention, since it can get moldy over time. Wipe the drip tray weekly and flush the water line every few months. With so many door seals, check them monthly to make sure cold air isn't escaping.

French door refrigerators

Double doors mean more places for crumbs to collect along the seals. Wipe down all four door gaskets monthly with soapy water. The bottom freezer drawer runs on tracks that need regular cleaning to prevent sticking. Check behind the drawer, too, since spills hide back there. The handles will see a lot of wear, so make sure to keep them wiped down.

Built-in refrigerators

These high-end models usually need a pro to handle the internal parts. Just make sure there's enough air space around your fridge. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully since these have specialized parts and warranties. Clean the front panel based on whatever material matches your cabinets. Get a professional tune-up once a year to keep everything running smoothly.

How to clean refrigerator coils

There’s more to cleaning your fridge than just wiping the shelves and drawers. All fridges have condenser coils underneath or behind them, as well as evaporator coils inside the fridge, and these need cleaning, too.

If you fail to clean coils, they’ll operate far less efficiently, forcing your fridge to work much harder to maintain temperature.

Evaporator coils transport condensed liquid refrigerant while absorbing heat from the air, turning the refrigerant to gas and producing coldness in the process. Condenser coils disperse the heat from inside your fridge.

• Unplug your fridge and pull it away from the wall so the area of floor it normally occupies is completely exposed.
• Use a vacuum to thoroughly clean the floor normally covered by your fridge. If the condenser coils are underneath, this dirt will hinder their function.
• Remove the rear access panel at the bottom of your fridge to access the evaporator coils.
• Vacuum all surface dust from both types of coils using a regular vacuum brush attachment. Reach the brush attachment as far around the coils as you can, but don’t try to force it between them.
• Use a long, thin coil cleaning brush to dislodge dust from between the coils. Be sure to extend the brush into each space between coils so you don’t miss any debris.
• Once you’ve dislodged all the dust using the coil brush, fit your vacuum with a flexible crevice attachment to clean the hard-to-reach areas.

How to maintain a refrigerator

Like all household appliances, fridges need some periodic TLC to keep serving you well. Want to help your fridge keep your food fresh for as long as possible, last as long as possible and use as little electricity as it can? Follow these tips and it’ll go a long way toward all of the above.

Deep clean regularly

Even if the inside of your fridge looks clean at a glance, it’s amazing how much dirt and old food you miss until you do a deep clean. Don’t stop with the inside of the fridge, either. Clean the coils at least once a year to keep things running efficiently.

Keep an optimal temperature

Even though many modern fridges have built-in digital thermometers, it can be smart to keep a regular thermometer in your fridge — and another in the freezer. Ideally, your fridge should hover around 37 degrees Fahrenheit to keep food fresh, while your freezer should sit around 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make sure the fridge is well stocked

Take regular inventory of what’s in your fridge, and which foods are nearing their expiration date. It’s easy to miss foods that have gone bad if you don’t take a good look every two weeks or so. Besides that, your fridge works better when it has something to keep cold.

Cover food and liquids

Always store food in airtight containers or cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before putting it in your fridge. Uncovered food releases moisture into the air, which makes your fridge work harder to maintain proper humidity levels. This excess moisture can also lead to frost buildup in the freezer and create odors that spread to other foods.

Liquids are especially important to cover since they evaporate quickly and can spill easily when you're rearranging items. Using proper storage containers also helps prevent cross-contamination between different foods and keeps everything fresher longer.

Do not block vents

Your fridge has air vents that circulate cold air throughout the compartments. They’re usually located on the back wall of the fridge section and along the sides or top of the freezer. Blocking these vents with food containers or overstuffed shelves prevents proper airflow, which forces your fridge to work harder and can create warm spots where food spoils faster.

Leave at least a couple of inches of clearance around the vents so cold air can flow freely. If you notice certain areas of your fridge are warmer than others, blocked vents are often the culprit. Check your manual to locate all the vents in your specific model.

Rotate and replace ice

If your fridge has an ice maker, dump out the ice bin and replace it with fresh ice every few months. Old ice absorbs odors from the freezer and can develop an off taste that ruins your drinks. Ice can also clump together or develop freezer burn if it sits too long. Make it a habit to use the older ice first and refresh your supply regularly, especially if you don't use ice frequently.

Change the air filter

All modern fridges are fitted with replaceable air filters to keep airborne bacteria and other contaminants off your food while allowing fresh air to flow inside. Change your filter every six months or so to ensure it’s doing its job.

Don’t overload the freezer

While it may be tempting to stuff as much frozen food into your fridge’s freezer as it will hold, doing so can compromise function in a big way. Cold air from the freezer goes through an evaporator before entering the fridge. Stuff too much food in the freezer and that air won’t be able to circulate properly, meaning both the fridge and freezer will struggle to maintain proper temperatures.

Clean under your fridge

Even if your fridge’s condenser coils are located at its rear and not underneath, it’s still a good idea to pull your fridge away from the wall at least once a year to clean the area of floor it occupies. Chances are you’ll find more than one item you thought you’d lost.

Defrost your freezer regularly

It’s a bit of a headache, but emptying and defrosting your fridge’s freezer section once a year is a great way to keep it running at peak efficiency. Once frost builds up thicker than one-fourth of an inch or so, your fridge will be forced to use considerably more electricity to keep things cold.

Check the drip pan

Some fridges have a shallow pan underneath to catch excess moisture created during the condensing process. If your fridge has one, check it every six months, dumping any stinky water you find.

» READ: Cost to repair a fridge

How to organize your fridge for efficiency

A well-organized refrigerator is not only more convenient but also runs more efficiently, prevents cross-contamination and makes maintenance tasks like cleaning and inventory checks much simpler.

Allow for air circulation

Avoid cramming your shelves full of food, which blocks cold air from circulating properly. Leave some space between items so air can flow around them and maintain consistent temperatures throughout the fridge. Overcrowding forces your appliance to work harder and creates warm spots where food spoils faster. If your shelves are packed tight, it's time to declutter or consider whether you need additional refrigerator space.

Group similar items

Store similar foods together — dairy products in one area, condiments in another, vegetables in the crisper drawers. This organization system makes it easier to find what you need and helps you spot spills or expired items quickly during cleaning. When everything has a designated spot, you're less likely to lose track of food that's gone bad in the back of the fridge.

Store raw meats on the bottom shelf

Always keep raw meat, poultry and seafood on the lowest shelf of your fridge, preferably in a container or on a plate to catch drips. This prevents juices from contaminating other foods if they leak. The bottom shelf is also typically the coldest spot in your fridge, which helps keep meat at a safe temperature. If a spill does occur, it's much easier to clean one shelf than to wipe down everything below it.

How to clear vents and maintain airflow

Proper airflow is essential for your fridge to maintain consistent temperatures and run efficiently. Blocked vents force your appliance to work harder, which increases energy costs and can lead to uneven cooling that spoils food. Follow these steps to keep air circulating properly.

1. Unplug your fridge or turn off the circuit breaker to avoid any electrical hazards while you work.
2. Locate the air vents inside your fridge. They're typically on the back wall of the refrigerator section and along the sides or ceiling of the freezer compartment. Check your owner's manual if you're having trouble finding them.
3. Remove any obstructions like food items, containers or shelving that's blocking the vents. You should maintain at least two to three inches of clearance around each vent opening.
4. Clean the vents using a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to gently remove dust or debris from the vent covers. Wipe the vent grilles with a damp cloth to remove any stuck-on grime.
5. Reorganize your food to ensure nothing blocks the airflow going forward. This simple maintenance task every few months keeps cold air circulating properly throughout your fridge and prevents warm spots where food can spoil prematurely.

How to keep your refrigerator level

A level refrigerator isn't just about aesthetics. When your fridge tilts too far forward or to either side, the doors won't seal properly, allowing cold air to escape and forcing your appliance to work harder. Here’s how to keep your fridge level.

1. Check the level by placing a spirit level on top of your fridge from side to side, then front to back. Your fridge should be perfectly level side to side, and can tilt slightly backward (about 1/4 inch) to help doors close on their own.
2. Locate the adjustable legs or rollers at the bottom front corners of your fridge. You may need to remove the kickplate or grille to access them.
3. Adjust the legs by turning them clockwise to raise the fridge or counterclockwise to lower it. Most models use a wrench or can be turned by hand.
4. Recheck the level and test the doors to ensure they close smoothly and seal tightly.

Consult your owner's manual for model-specific leveling instructions, as some fridges have different adjustment mechanisms.

Common refrigerator problems

Even the best-designed fridges occasionally have problems. Here are some of the most common ones, along with their causes and solutions.

Fridge not staying cold

This could have a number of causes, including dirty coils, failing door gaskets, an overstuffed freezer or a broken compressor. Only the compressor issue warrants calling in a professional. The rest you can easily fix yourself.

Fridge leaking water

Start by checking your drip tray. If it’s not overflowing, check the water supply line if your fridge has a water dispenser. Tighten or change it if need be. If that’s not the issue, your leakage could be caused by frost buildup triggered by a clogged freezer defroster drain. Hot water directed at the drain usually fixes this.

Fridge cycling on and off constantly

If your fridge kicks on and off more often than it should, start by checking the state of your condenser coils. If they’re dirty it could explain why your fridge is overworking. Clean the coils and you should be good to go. If dirty coils aren’t to blame, an internal part could be failing, and it’s best to call in a pro.

Fridge freezing food

If your fridge is acting more like a freezer, your thermostat setting is probably to blame. Try simply setting it lower. If this has no effect, chances are the thermostat itself is failing and needs replacement by an appliance technician.

FAQ

Bottom line

If general hygiene, keeping food fresh and saving electricity matter to you, you should definitely be cleaning and maintaining your fridge regularly. Yearly deep cleans are a great place to start, as is familiarizing yourself with common fridge problems so you can solve them. Bottom line — a little fridge maintenance effort goes a long way toward better food, longer appliance lifespan and less energy waste.