Deep Clean Your Fridge Like A Pro: The Comprehensive Checklist

A refrigerator works nonstop every day. It stores a wide range of items, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, cooked meals, snacks, and everything in between. But while restocking shelves becomes a routine, deep cleaning is often delayed. Over time, grime, spills, and expired items accumulate. The result is unwanted odours, bacteria growth, and reduced cooling efficiency.

When you clean the fridge, cleaning is not just about surface cleaning. Thorough cleaning of a refrigerator requires a genuine commitment to hygiene. It's the best way to keep food from going bad, keep your refrigerator working as intended, and stay clean. Customised cleaning checklists serve as a tool that can help make cleaning manageable and reduce the time spent on cleaning. Each step should be able to cross off, will help you clean as thoroughly as possible to achieve a new, fresh, and completely spotless look. In this blog, you will learn important steps on how to clean your fridge, along with the importance of maintaining a clean refrigerator. Everything you need for a professional clean will be covered.

Step 1: Empty and Unplug Before Cleaning

Make sure you unplug the plug from the wall socket first. This is an important safety precaution before using any cleaning agents. Remove every item from the fridge and freezer. Move perishable goods into a cooler bag or ice boxes. Discard expired products with leaking and rotting food. Once everything has been removed, clear away drawers, trays, and shelves to remove them as well. Allow them to come back to room temperature before washing, in case of shrinking or cracking, just as you would when taking food out of the freezer. Use soap and warm water to clean these parts. While the fridge interior needs to be cleaned, allow these parts to air dry in a well ventilated space. Deep cleaning is part of our comprehensive expert vacant cleaning Perth services, which includes small corners and hard to reach surfaces.

Step 2: Remove and Wash Shelves and Drawers

To begin, remove all removable parts such as shelves, drawers, and door bins by simply pulling them out. These pieces will usually have previous spills or stains, as well as sticky pieces of food that collect anywhere a food product is present.

Fill the sink with warm, soapy water and let the parts soak for a few minutes. Using a gentle motion, scrub with a non abrasive sponge or cloth to minimise scratching. Rinse with clean water and air dry, or dry with a lint free towel.  Make sure all glass shelves have returned to room temperature before using warm water to prevent damage or cracking.

Step 3: Clean the Exterior and Underside

Most people forget that the fridge’s outer surface collects dust and fingerprints. Use a damp cloth with a small amount of dish or castile soap to clean the exterior. Pay attention to the handles and top surface, as they often accumulate grease. Also, check the back and underside.

Use a soft brush or vacuum with a nozzle to clean the coils and vents. This step improves energy efficiency and cooling performance. A regular exterior cleaning routine helps the fridge maintain a polished look. This level of detail incorporated in professional vacant cleaning Perth packages reduces the chances of bond deduction

Step 4: Scrub the Door Seals

The door seals or gaskets are one of the most commonly overlooked areas, but are crucial for fridge efficiency. Over time, they can collect food particles, mould, and grime, which can weaken the seal. You can use an old toothbrush or a soft cleaning brush dipped in warm, soapy water or a vinegar solution to scrub between the folds.

Pay attention to every corner to ensure a thorough clean. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. Keeping the seals clean not only improves hygiene but also ensures the fridge door closes tightly, maintaining the correct internal temperature and reducing energy consumption.

Step 5: Deodorise and Disinfect

Once all surfaces are clean, it’s important to disinfect and deodorise the fridge to remove any lingering bacteria and unpleasant odours. Prepare a solution of baking soda and water or use a fridge-safe disinfectant spray. Wipe all interior surfaces, including walls, corners, and underneath drawers. Focus on areas that are often overlooked. For ongoing freshness, place an open box of baking soda or a bowl of coffee grounds inside the fridge. They naturally absorb odours. This step ensures that the fridge smells pleasant and is safe for storing fresh food.

Step 6: Use Natural Cleaners for the Interior

Avoid using strong chemicals or bleach inside the fridge. A mix of white vinegar and baking soda works well. This combination helps remove grease, smoke & odour while lifting stubborn stains without affecting food safety. Use a microfiber cloth to gently scrub surfaces, paying close attention to corners and joints. Clean rubber gaskets carefully, as dirt in these areas can damage door seals. For heavily stained areas, leave the vinegar mixture for a few minutes before wiping it off. Once cleaned, dry all surfaces using a clean, dry cloth to prevent water spots from forming.

Step 7: Organise Items Before Refilling

Before putting things back inside, check product labels. Organise your items together to enhance visibility. Use clear storage containers for the smaller items. Keep dairy and meat in the coldest locations. Wipe down jars and containers before restocking them. Keep raw meat stored separately to prevent cross contamination. Don't overload your fridge, as you want to ensure the airflow is not blocked. Organising things in a systematic manner is another hack vacant cleaning Perth professionals flow to deliver efficient results.

Step 8: Final Touches and Maintenance Tips

These final steps help keep your fridge fresh, organised, and efficient:

• Ensure all shelves, drawers, and surfaces are completely dry.
• Plug the fridge back in and allow it to cool to below 4°C (40°F).
• Restock food items in an organised manner and group similar items together.
• Check expiry dates before returning products to avoid storing spoiled items and ensure proper waste and recycling
• Wipe food containers before placing them back to maintain cleanliness.
• Schedule regular fridge checks, ideally once a week, for spills and expired items.
• Deep clean the fridge every 1–2 months to keep it fresh and hygienic.

Easy Steps To Deep Clean The Fridge

Wrapping Up

Cleaning a refrigerator thoroughly requires some patience and attention to detail. However, the task can be easier, and you may get better results if you have a written checklist to follow for each step of the process. Consider the task of refrigerator sanitisation, which ranges from unplugging it to restocking it. A clean refrigerator also helps reduce food waste and contributes to a healthy kitchen environment.