Getting set up

Before looking at how to clean your fridge and freezer, we will go through what cleaning supplies you will need.

Fortunately, you can thoroughly clean your appliances with a handful of natural chemicals and materials. You will need:

• Plenty of warm water!
• Mild soap
• Vinegar
• Petroleum jelly
• A sponge or soft cloth
• Cool bag/s or a spare fridge
• Washing up bowls
• An appliance thermometer
• Clean and empty spray bottle
• Towels
• Plastic or wooden spatula, scraper or similar
• Dust-cloth
• Vacuum cleaner
• Baking soda (optional)
• Soft brush (optional)

How to clean your fridge in 8 steps

Here are 8 simple steps to keep your fridge clean and fresh:

1. Turn off the power to your fridge and remove all food/refrigerated items. Dispose of anything that is spoiled or past its 'use by' date, and put the rest into cooler bags (or a spare fridge, if you have one).

2. Place towels underneath your fridge to catch excess water.

3. Carefully remove all shelves, trays, drawers, racks and other fridge inserts. Fill a sink or washing up bowl with warm, soapy water and clean everything you have taken out.

4. Fill another bowl with two or three parts of water to one of vinegar (baking soda is a suitable alternative to vinegar). Using a soft cloth, wash the interior of the fridge, including the door seal. If your door seal has any ingrained dirt, make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar, and use a soft brush to scrub the stains (see related article for more detail).

5. Repeat Step 4 but with water alone.

6. Dry your door seal and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly.

7. Put shelves, drawers, etc., back in. Return the food and other refrigerated items. This is a good opportunity to reorganise your fridge for maximum efficiency (e.g., ensuring shortest use by dates are in front and all unpackaged food is placed in containers).

8. Wash the front, top and sides of the outside your fridge with warm, soapy water. Use a dust-cloth and vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the exposed coils.

How to clean your freezer in 8 steps

Here is an 8-step guide on how to clean your freezer. Carry out the process as quickly as possible to minimise the extent of food thawing.

1. Turn off the power to your freezer and remove all food/frozen items to a refrigerator set at maximum power (food should remain at 5°C or below while you carry out the cleaning).

2. Place towels underneath your fridge to catch water as the ice thaws.

3. Leave the door open for a few minutes to help accelerate the thawing process.

4. Using a plastic or wooden spatula, scraper or similar, gently remove any large chunks of ice from inside the freezer. For a more thorough defrost, see our related article.

5. Make up a spray bottle with a vinegar solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Spray the interior of the freezer and gently clean with a soft cloth or sponge.

6. Using a cloth or towel, thoroughly dry the interior of your freezer, including the door seal. If your door seal has any ingrained dirt, make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar and use a soft brush to remove the stains.

7. Turn the power on and wait for your freezer to reach at least 5°C (we recommend using an appliance thermometer).

8. Return the food and other items to the freezer. This is a good opportunity to reorganise your freezer for maximum efficiency (e.g., ensuring shortest use by dates are in front and all unpackaged food is placed in containers).

Has your cleaning uncovered a cracked or warped door seal?

If you notice cracks in your fridge or freezer door seals, or they are very warped or rigid, you will need to replace them to avoid warm air seeping into your appliance.

We provide a simple way to identify and replace most gaskets, even obsolete ones. Visit our gasket identification page to get started.

Image Credit: Enzo Mantegazza