How to Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Without Chemicals

Updated on Jan 5, 2020 at 11:40 AM

POPSUGAR Photography | Kelly Ladd

When was the last time you cleaned your refrigerator? Sure, you may have wiped up some spilled milk or apple juice here and there, but we are talking about a deep scrubbing.

Here is a helpful guideline:

Once a day, go through and toss out spoiled food.
Once a week, wipe the door handles with a damp, sudsy cloth.
Once a season, set aside about 30 minutes to give your refrigerator a good and thorough cleaning.

We've come up with some tips on how to make this chore not so bad. Check them out ahead.

Supplies

Paper towels or clean rag
Spray bottle full of vinegar
Dish soap
Sponge
Baking soda

Step 1

Empty your refrigerator. Toss out the old stuff, including all of those little condiment packages from all of those take-out orders.

Step 2

Store your perishables in a cooler, if you have one.

Step 3

Remove the shelves and drawers from the refrigerator.

Step 4

I prefer to wash the shelves and drawers outside with the hose. If you do not have a yard, use your kitchen sink, shower, or bathtub to wash them.

Sprinkle dish soap over the shelves and drawers. Spray the hose over them and scrub with your sponge, rag, or paper towel to get rid of anything sticky or any loose debris, like flakes of onion skins.

Step 5

Dry the shelves and drawers with a dry towel or let them air-dry in the sun.

Step 6

Spritz vinegar all over the inside of the refrigerator. Wipe down the walls with a clean rag or paper towel. The vinegar will disinfect. If there is anything really sticky, use your sponge to scrub it off.

Step 7

Place all of the drawers, shelves, and fresh food back into the refrigerator in an organized manner.

Step 8

Repeat the process with the freezer. Empty it out. Toss out old and freezer-burned food.

Step 9

Wipe the freezer clean with vinegar and a cloth.

Step 10

Empty the icemaker. Clean out the drawer that holds the ice.

Step 11

Place the food neatly back in the freezer.

Step 12

Remove all of the excess and outdated "important" papers on the refrigerator.

Step 13

Wipe down the front of the refrigerator and handles with vinegar. If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, wipe down the front of it with a dab of olive oil on a clean rag to remove smudges and fingermarks.

One Last Thing

Do not forget to place a new box of baking soda in the back of the refrigerator to absorb any odors. It really does work. The box of baking soda should be replaced every three months.