Fridge Cleaning Etiquette: How Often and How to Do It Right

CNET

28-07-2025

Your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen, but cleaning the fridge is an often-overlooked chore. After you wipe down your counters and clean up your kitchen floors, be sure to give your fridge some attention too. Like most areas of your house, the refrigerator is easier to keep fresh and tidy if you dedicate a little bit of time to it every day or week rather than letting dirt and clutter pile up.
It's vital to keep your fridge clean, on the inside and out, as it houses most of what you'll eat. Safely handling your food and beverages will rid your fridge of germs and bacteria that may linger. For a more sustainable way to keep your fridge clean and tidy throughout not only the warmer months but also the entire year, read on.
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5 steps to keep your refrigerator clean
✅ Daily task: Wipe down handles and controls
Using a food-safe, antibacterial wipe , take the time to wipe down the handles of your refrigerator each day. You should wipe down the buttons or controls for water dispensers and ice makers daily, too.
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✅ Weekly task: Trash expired and old food
At the start of each week, go through the food in your refrigerator. Toss old leftovers and expired food. Spoiled food can encourage bacteria growth and leave mold spores in your refrigerator, so it's important to sift through your fridge regularly.
Not sure what's expired? Check each bottle and label for an expiration date. If you can't find an expiration date, play it safe and toss anything that you aren't sure is fresh. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not only throwing out old or recalled foods, but also any foods that are stored next to them or touching them.
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Sort through your fridge each week to throw out any expired food or drinks.
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✅ Quarterly task: Give your fridge a deep clean
Do a deep cleaning of your refrigerator every three to four months. To keep things simple, you may choose to do a deep clean of your fridge at the start of each season. To deep clean your refrigerator, you'll need to completely clear out all the food and put it in a cooler for safekeeping. Many people choose to try to finish most of the big food items in their fridge just before a deep cleaning, so they don't have to remove and replace a lot of food.
Be sure to read your refrigerator's manual so that you know the best way to clean your appliance. In most cases, you will unplug the fridge or turn it off first. Then remove and thoroughly clean all the shelves and drawers in hot, soapy water or other cleaner, then replace them. Clean the walls of the fridge and every surface well. Don't forget to also clean the door and the interior top of the refrigerator.
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Every so often, take everything out of your fridge and give it a deep clean.
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✅ Biannually task: Clean your icemaker and water dispenser
Many refrigerators come with ice makers and water dispensers. If yours does, it's important to keep them clean so that you continue to enjoy germ-free ice or water. The ice maker or water dispenser likely comes with a water filter that you'll need to change regularly. Most need to be changed every six months or so, according to Consumer Reports, but be sure to read your refrigerator's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations.
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✅ Occasional task: Immediately clean spills
When a mess happens in the fridge, clean it immediately. It's important to not let spills and messes get out of hand, otherwise your fridge can easily become a hotbed for germs and bacteria.
If you have a spill, take a few minutes to wipe it down and make sure that it didn't spill on and potentially contaminate other food or beverages. Also, try to prevent accidents by storing your food in airtight, spill-proof containers. A good rule of thumb is that you should spot clean your refrigerator any time a spill happens or you see remnants of food and drink.
Want more kitchen cleaning hacks? Check out the best way to clean your blender and how to clean a cast-iron skillet.