How to deep clean your refrigerator

November 15th is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day! With the busy holiday season coming up, this is a good time to tackle your refrigerator. Your refrigerator will need to handle extra demands as you get ready to stock extra groceries and store leftovers. We share our top tips and show you how to deep clean your refrigerator.

Deep cleaning your refrigerator will remove unpleasant odours and help it run more efficiently. If your fridge is dirty or cluttered it will cause your appliance to work extra hard in order to keep all its contents cold. This can result in a rise in your energy bill.

How often should you give your refrigerator a clean?

Wiping the interior and exterior of your refrigerator should be part of your weekly cleaning routine. When a mess happens in your fridge, clean it immediately to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. A more thorough, deep clean should be done at the start of each season.

You will need:

• Dishwashing detergent
• Sponge
• Baking soda
• Microfibre or soft cloth

Handy hint: Before you start, unplug the fridge. This will allow your glass and plastic shelves to come down to room temperature so that they can be easily removed, without the risk of cracking.

Start by removing all contents

Place perishables such as meat and dairy in a refrigerated cooler bag with ice to keep them cool. Check use by dates and ditch any expired products. Ditch any questionable left overs.

Remove all fridge shelves, drawers and door inserts

Give them a good soak in warm, soapy water (a laundry tub will be handy for this task). Then wash thoroughly with a sponge and detergent. Rinse well and allow to dry.

Clean the refrigerator interior

Using a solution of 1 part baking soda to 7 parts water, create a paste and apply to the interior of your fridge before wiping with a microfibre or soft cloth. Pay attention to hard-to-reach places and crevices and tackle these with a toothbrush.

Once everything has been thoroughly cleaned, use a fresh, damp cloth and wipe off any excess residue. You can also spray with a food safe cleaner. We recommend Aktivo Fridge Cleaner & Deodoriser – an effective all in one spray that cleans, deodorises and sanitises.

Wipe down the fridge door seal

Your fridge door seal can collect crumbs, dust and spills. Use a soft, damp cloth and warm soapy water to clean the seal, then dry thoroughly. Inspect the seal for any signs of wear and tear. If you find any cracks or tears, it is time to get a replacement seal.

Clean the refrigerator coils

Over time, dust and dirt accumulate on your refrigerator coils (these are also called condenser coils). These coils are responsible for the heat extraction process that allows the refrigerant to circulate. To reduce your energy bill and extend the lifespan of your fridge, give the coils a regular clean

Replace your fridge water filter

If your fridge has a fridge water filter, you will need to replace it regularly (approximately every 6 months). A clean filter reduces nasties and contaminants like iron, particulates, lead and mercury in your drinking water and ice cubes.

It is time to replace your fridge water filter when:

• Its been longer than 6 months since you last replaced it
• The replacement light is on
• Your water has an unpleasant taste or odour.

Statewide offer genuine fridge water filters for leading brands including LG, Samsung and Fisher & Paykel.

Need help replacing your fridge water filter?

Check out our easy guides with step by step instructions for LG fridge water filters, Fisher & Paykel fridge water filters and Samsung filters.

Wipe down the exterior

Use a damp cloth to give the exterior a good clean, then buff dry with a microfibre cloth. If your fridge has a stainless-steel finish, use a stainless steel polish to remove fingerprint, smears and water spots. We recommend Aktivo Stainless Steel Polish.

Organise your fridge and keep food fresh longer

To prevent the growth of bacteria and other microbes that make food spoil, food needs to be maintained at cold temperatures.. Organise your fridge well and keep it fresh longer.

• Upper shelves – Good for prepared foods, deli meats, drinks and leftovers
• Lower shelf – Best for eggs, dairy and raw meat
• Crisper – Maintain freshness by storing fruit and vegetables in the drawers
• Door shelves – This is the best place for condiments, juices and water
• Freezer – Ice, frozen fruits and vegetables and meat

All the latest on the Statewide blog

Visit our blog to find troubleshooting tips for a refrigerator that is not cooling. Plus we share the ultimate guide to spring cleaning your home appliances.

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Need help with your home appliance repairs and maintenance? Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube Channel. All the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze!

Find your replacement spare parts at Statewide

Find replacement spare parts for your fridge and freezer at Statewide Appliance Spares. We have Australia’s biggest range of parts and accessories for all the leading brands including Electrolux, Bosch, Hisense, LG, Samsung and more. All with fast Australia wide delivery and the lowest prices guaranteed.