How Often Should You Clean a Fridge?
A full clean, with food removed and shelves washed, is best done once a month. Between full cleans, a quick wipe over visible marks as soon as they appear stops them from building up and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
How to Clean the Inside of a Fridge, Step by Step
- 1. Empty the fridge completely. Move perishable food into a cool box or an insulated bag for the duration, and use the moment to check use-by dates.
- 2. Remove the shelves and any removable drawers. Wash them in warm soapy water at the sink, never with boiling water, which can crack a glass shelf through thermal shock.
- 3. Clean the inside with baking soda. A tablespoon of baking soda diluted in a litre of warm water, applied with a sponge, cleans effectively without leaving a chemical smell that could taint food.
- 4. Pay close attention to the door seals. An old toothbrush and a little soapy water lift out the grime trapped in the folds, often the most neglected spot.
- 5. Dry everything thoroughly before putting it back. A still-damp interior encourages frost to form on the cold walls.
How to Get Rid of Bad Smells for Good
Beyond a one-off clean, a small container of baking soda left permanently at the back of the fridge soaks up odours over time, and should be replaced every one to two months. Dried coffee grounds or activated charcoal do a similar job as a stopgap.
What About the Outside: What to Clean, and How Often?
Outer surfaces (doors, handles) should be cleaned with mild soapy water as soon as they show marks, with stainless steel needing a dedicated product to avoid streaks. The back grille or compressor, often forgotten, deserves a vacuum once or twice a year: a thick layer of dust on the condenser hampers heat dissipation and makes the appliance work harder for nothing.
