The essentials in 30 seconds
If your model allows it, unplug the refrigerator or turn off the cooling and pause the ice maker. Take out all the food (perishables into a cool box with ice packs) and throw away anything past its time. Remove shelves, bins and drawers, let glass shelves reach room temperature and wash them in warm water with mild dish soap. Wipe the walls, ceiling, door liners and door gaskets with a cloth dampened with mild soap, then rinse and dry everything before putting it back. For odours, use baking soda in warm water (about 1 tablespoon per quart) or white vinegar diluted 1:1, rinsed off afterwards.
- No bleach, ammonia, window sprays, scouring cleansers or solvents inside.
- Clean the condenser coil with a brush or vacuum several times a year.
- An opened box of baking soda on a shelf helps keep smells down.
How to clean a refrigerator properly
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01
Switch off
Unplug the fridge or turn off the cooling if your model allows it, and pause the ice maker.
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02
Empty it
Perishables into a cool box with ice packs; throw away expired items and wipe sticky containers.
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03
Take out shelves and bins
Follow your owner's manual. Let glass shelves warm to room temperature.
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04
Wash the removable parts
Warm water and mild dish soap. Rinse and dry completely with a lint-free towel.
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05
Wipe the inside
Lightly spray a microfibre cloth with mild soap solution and wipe walls, ceiling and door liners without soaking seams or vents.
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06
Clean the gaskets
Damp cloth and mild soap; lift the folds to remove crumbs, then dry fully so the door keeps sealing.
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07
Deodorise if needed
Diluted white vinegar or baking soda solution, then rinse with clean water and dry.
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08
Put it back together
Only when every part is dry. Restore power and check that the light and cooling come back.
Which refrigerator cleaning products to use
| Product | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warm water + mild dish soap | Shelves, bins, drawers, walls, gaskets | Safe for regular cleaning |
| Baking soda in warm water (about 1 tbsp per quart) | Odours and stubborn residue | Let it sit a few minutes, then scrub gently |
| White vinegar diluted 1:1 with water | Deodorising | Rinse with clean water afterwards |
| Non-abrasive, ammonia-free appliance spray | Interior surfaces | Spray onto the cloth, not onto controls or vents |
| Mild liquid dishwashing detergent, appliance polishes | Outside of the fridge | Use products made for appliances |
| Bleach, window sprays, scouring cleansers, solvents, waxes, petroleum-based cleaners | Never inside | Can damage liners and gaskets or leave a chemical taste |
Cleaning a fridge with baking soda
Baking soda has two jobs in the fridge. Dissolved in warm water, about one tablespoon per quart, it cleans stubborn residue on shelves and bins and helps with odours: leave it for a few minutes, scrub gently, rinse and dry. Dry, in an opened box on a shelf, the USDA suggests it to keep the refrigerator smelling fresh between cleans.
When the fridge smells bad even after cleaning
If food has spoiled inside, for example during a power cut, the smell can be hard to remove and the USDA warns that you may need to repeat these steps:
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01
Wipe the inside with equal parts vinegar and water.
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02
Wash it with a baking soda and water solution, scrubbing the gaskets, shelves, sides and door.
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03
Leave the door open to air it out for several days.
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04
If the smell remains, fill it with rolled newspaper, close the door for several days, then remove the paper and clean again with vinegar and water.
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05
Put fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in the bottom or in an open container.
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06
Or place a cotton ball soaked in vanilla in the freezer and close the door for 24 hours.
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07
As a last resort, use a commercial odour product following its instructions.
Cleaning the refrigerator coils and the exterior
The USDA recommends keeping the front grille free of dust and lint so air can reach the condenser, and cleaning the condenser coil several times a year with a brush or a vacuum cleaner to keep the fridge working efficiently. Where the coil is and how to reach it depends on the model, so check the owner's manual first. Clean the outside with a soft cloth and mild liquid dishwashing detergent, or with cleaners and polishes made for appliances.
A fridge cleaning routine
- Weekly: quick wipe of shelves, handles and spills, and throw out perishables that should no longer be eaten.
- Monthly: check the door gaskets and remove debris.
- Every 1 to 3 months: deep clean, depending on use and spills (Whirlpool's guidance).
- Several times a year: grille and condenser coil (USDA).
How to clean a refrigerator: frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to clean the inside of a fridge with?
Warm water with mild dish soap for regular cleaning, and baking soda in warm water or white vinegar diluted 1:1 for odours. Rinse and dry afterwards.
Can I use bleach to clean my refrigerator?
Whirlpool advises against bleaches, scouring cleansers, solvents and other harsh cleaners on the liners, plastic parts and gaskets.
How much baking soda do I use to clean a fridge?
Whirlpool suggests about one tablespoon of baking soda per quart of warm water.
Can I wash glass fridge shelves in hot water?
Not while they are cold. Let them reach room temperature first, because a sudden temperature change can crack the glass.
How often should I clean the refrigerator coils?
The USDA recommends several times a year, with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Check your owner's manual for access.
Why does my fridge still smell after cleaning?
Spoiled food odours can linger. Repeat the vinegar and baking soda washes, air the fridge for several days and try newspaper, coffee grounds or baking soda inside.
Sources
Manufacturer and government guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Whirlpool · Cleaning the interior of the refrigerator ↗Unplugging or turning off cooling and pausing the ice maker; food in a cooler; glass shelves at room temperature; warm water and mild dish soap; vinegar 1:1 rinsed off; baking soda about one tablespoon per quart; gaskets; cleaners to avoid; controls and dispenser with a barely damp cloth; weekly, monthly and 1–3 month routine. Read in the browser.
- USDA FSIS · Refrigeration and food safety ↗40 °F and the 2-hour limit; hot soapy water for spills; weekly clear-out; opened box of baking soda; cleaners that leave a chemical taste; exterior cleaning; front grille and condenser coil several times a year; step-by-step odour removal. Read in the browser.
Fridge not cooling after cleaning?
Check that it is plugged in and the cooling is switched back on, then note the model number before contacting the manufacturer or a repair service.