Common Mistakes You're Likely Making When Cleaning Your Fridge

Everyone makes mistakes, especially when cleaning their fridge... if they even clean them at all. When dealing with one of the most important appliances in the home, a little regular maintenance can prevent a host of unpleasant surprises – mold, off-putting odors, and even potential health hazards. Even if you are vigilant about throwing out expired sauces or wiping sticky fingerprints off the handle, there is still plenty you are doing wrong when cleaning this appliance.

Did you know you need to defrost your freezer at least once a year? Do you know where your fridge's condenser coils are — and that not dusting them could be the reason behind your outrageous power bill? You might even be using the wrong cleaning supplies, which could even lead to poisoning yourself and your family. If you want fresher food, lower energy bills, and an appliance that lasts for years to come, make sure you're avoiding these common fridge cleaning mistakes.

Trying to clean around items in a fridge can be challenging. Too many things in the way can limit your access to all its nooks and crannies. To streamline things, you should start by completely emptying it of all food, drinks, and even your massive collection of half-used sauces. This step allows you unobstructed access to every surface within the fridge, making the cleaning process much more thorough and efficient.

Start by removing all the shelves and drawers, plus any other removable bits, like door bins. This way, you can clean these parts separately, instead of finding rotting food wedged in a door crease weeks later. Use a food-safe spray or a mild mixture of water and vinegar to wipe down all the interior surfaces. This would be the walls, shelves, and drawers. Once they are all out, pay special attention to spots where spills and residues often accumulate, like around the sauce rack.

While the fridge is empty, you should also declutter and organize your food items. Check for expired or spoiled food and throw it away. If you find yourself unable to deal with items that have long since rotten, simply throw the Tupperware container away, too. Sometimes we don't get rid of rotten food because it's too gross. By allowing yourself this workaround, you are more likely to pull off the task.

It's a common mistake to ignore the door seals when cleaning your fridge. They are typically out of sight, so you might not think to pay attention to them, but they can accumulate crumbs, sticky spills, and other debris over time. If you don't address this, these trapped particles can not only affect the overall cleanliness of the fridge, but also compromise the effectiveness of the seal — leading to ruined food and high power bills.

This is because a good seal makes sure that the cold air remains inside the appliance, keeping your food at the right temperature and preventing energy wastage. When crumbs and spills build up in the seals, they can create gaps that allow cold air to escape and warm air to seep in. This can lead to higher energy consumption and potential temperature fluctuations inside the fridge. To clean the door seals, use a mild detergent mixed with warm water and a soft cloth. Gently wipe them, paying attention to any areas with visible dirt or debris. Take care not to damage the rubber with abrasive cleaners or excessive force.

When cleaning your fridge, don't forget to clean your freezer, too. Overlooking its maintenance can lead to reduced efficiency due to ice buildup. Ice accumulation can hinder the freezer's ability to maintain a consistent cold temperature, making it less energy-efficient and potentially compromising the quality of frozen foods. To avoid this, you need to regularly defrost. This is typically at least once a year, or if the ice ever gets more than a quarter of an inch thick.

To defrost everything correctly, it's best to follow the manufacturer's guidelines. A paper copy comes with the appliance, but if you've done the common thing and thrown this away, it's easy to find a copy online by searching the fridge's make and model. However, the process typically involves unplugging the appliance, removing all items, and allowing the ice to melt naturally. For a quicker defrosting process, placing bowls of hot water inside and gently directing a fan toward the area can expedite the melting of ice. Once defrosted, you can carefully wipe down the interior with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Pay special attention to corners and crevices where moisture and ice can accumulate. Dry the interior thoroughly before plugging the freezer back in and restocking it.

If you can close the door to your fridge after you clean it, you might think all is well. Unfortunately, if you have crammed every shelf full of food and condiments, you might run into a few problems. Simply put, putting too much stuff into this appliance can mess up the airflow. This makes things cool unevenly as the circulation is blocked, which can then in turn cause bad smells. Instead, when cleaning, make sure you leave some space between items to let the air move and keep the fridge at a steady temperature. This way, your food will stay fresh, and the weird smells won't spread to everything else.

If your fridge is on the smaller side, you can maintain enough room by prioritizing eating leftovers to cut down on storage containers. You can also take a picture of the sauces you already have, so you don't overbuy replacements during your next shop.

When you think about cleaning your fridge, you typically only think about freshening up the inside. However, this is a mistake. Of course, it's important to maintain the interior for food safety, but paying attention to the exterior is equally vital. Over time, the appliance's outside parts, like the handles, control panels, and even the top of the fridge, can accumulate dust, grime, fingerprints, and even food spills.

To make sure to avoid attracting bugs and to maintain an overall tidy kitchen, be sure to include the exterior in your routine. Just like on the inside, you can use a mild cleaning solution or a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Next, dampen a cloth and thoroughly wipe down the outside. Pay special attention to the handles, as they are commonly touched areas and can harbor germs. Next, gently wipe the control panels. Be careful to make sure no cleaning solution seeps into the electrical components of these. For stainless steel finishes, consider using a cleaner specifically designed for that type of appliance to maintain its shine and prevent streaks. Finally, you can periodically dust the top and sides of the fridge to prevent buildup and maintain a nice, polished look.

When something spills inside the fridge, it can be tempting to just shut the door and deal with it later. However, letting these spills linger in your fridge can lead to stubborn stains and odors. Instead, you should address accidents right away to prevent them from becoming harder to clean. This is because the longer something sits, the longer it has to seep into the pores of the refrigerator's surfaces. Immediate action is also a good idea to prevent things from getting too stinky, as these incidents often harbor bacteria. This will cause unpleasant smells and potentially contaminate other foods, too.

While it is a little more work, as soon as you notice a spill, take a few minutes to clean it up. Often, you don't even need a cleaning solution to wipe up something fresh. Instead, a wet sponge or paper towel will do the trick.

Sometimes for a deep clean, the fridge should be disconnected from the electricity for your safety. This is the case if the appliance is full of rotting food or has been years since its last cleaning.

To start, prepare for the deep clean by removing any perishable items from the fridge and placing them in a cooler with ice packs. This precaution helps maintain the temperature and freshness of your food during the cleaning process. Next, locate the power cord and the electrical outlet powering the refrigerator, usually positioned at the back. Turn off the fridge using the control panel or temperature settings, and gently unplug the power cord from the outlet. If the outlet is hard to reach, carefully move the refrigerator to access it. This might be a two-person job, as the appliance tends to be heavy and awkward. Allow a few minutes for the internal components to power down completely and for any residual electric charge to dissipate before proceeding with the cleaning. After ensuring all surfaces are dry, wait a few minutes before plugging the refrigerator back in.