Fridge Cleaning: How to Deep Clean Your Fridge and Stop Bad Smells

A proper fridge cleaning takes about an hour: empty it, throw out anything past its best, wash removable shelves and drawers in warm soapy water, wipe the interior and door seals, then dry everything before restocking. Do it every three months, and before big cooking occasions like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, when you need the space anyway. A quick weekly check of leftovers handles most smells in between.

Most fridge odours aren't coming from the fridge itself. They come from something forgotten at the back, a spill that dried under a drawer, or mould on the rubber door seal.

Before you start

• Plan around shopping day. Clean when the fridge is emptiest.
• Have a cooler bag ready. Put chilled items in it with ice packs while you work, especially meat, seafood and dairy.
• Turn the temperature dial down or switch off only if your manual says to. Most modern fridges can stay on for a short clean.
• Use mild products. Warm water with dishwashing liquid, or a solution of baking soda in warm water, is all you need inside a fridge. Avoid strong-smelling sprays and bleach on food contact surfaces.

The step-by-step clean

Step 1: Empty and sort

Take everything out, shelf by shelf. Bin expired items, anything you don't recognise, and sauces with crusted lids. Wipe the bottoms of jars and bottles before they go back, because sticky rings are a common source of spills.

Step 2: Remove shelves and drawers

Take out glass shelves, crisper drawers and door bins. Let cold glass sit at room temperature for a few minutes before washing; hot water on cold glass can crack it. Wash in the sink with warm soapy water, scrub corners with a soft brush, rinse and dry fully.

Step 3: Wipe the interior

Work top to bottom. Wipe walls, ceiling and the floor of the fridge with a cloth and your baking soda solution. Use a cotton bud or old toothbrush for the rails that hold the shelves and the small drain hole at the back, which can clog and cause water to pool.

Step 4: Clean the door seals

Pull back the folds of the rubber gasket. Crumbs and black mould gather here. Wipe with warm soapy water, use a soft toothbrush in the creases, and dry well. A clean, supple seal also keeps cold air in.

Step 5: Freezer

If there's heavy ice, defrost according to your manual. Otherwise empty it, wipe the walls and drawers, and throw out freezer-burnt food. Label what goes back with dates.

Step 6: Exterior

Wipe the handles, door front and top. The top of the fridge collects a sticky layer of dust and kitchen grease, especially in homes that cook with a wok; a degreasing cleaner helps here. Our kitchen deep cleaning guide covers the surrounding cabinets and walls.

Step 7: Dry and restock

Dry every surface before putting things back. Group food by type, keep raw meat on the bottom shelf in a container, and put older items at the front.

About the drip tray and the back of the fridge

Many fridges have a drip tray underneath that collects defrost water, where it evaporates. It can grow mould and smell. Be careful here:

• Unplug the fridge first before reaching underneath or behind it.
• Check the manual. On some models the tray slides out from the front; on others it sits near the compressor, which can be hot, and is best left to a technician.
• Don't force panels open. If you can't reach it easily, leave it.

The coils at the back or underneath also collect dust. With the fridge unplugged, a vacuum brush can remove loose dust from accessible coils, which helps the fridge run efficiently.

Stopping smells from coming back

If a smell lingers in the kitchen even after the fridge is clean, the source may be elsewhere. Our guide on how smell affects a clean home helps you track it down.

Fridge cleaning before festive seasons

The weeks before a festival are when fridges get packed with marinated meat, kueh, drinks and leftovers, and when a clean fridge saves the most stress. Clear and clean it about a week before the big cook. It's one item on our Chinese New Year cleaning checklist, and the same applies for other festive periods.

Can a cleaner do this for you?

Yes. Wiping the fridge exterior is part of a standard kitchen clean with Cleaning Assistant, and a full interior clean can be added to a deep clean or a one-off session if you ask for it when booking. You provide the supplies, which means food-safe products of your choice touch your fridge interior. It's worth emptying perishables yourself first, since you know what to keep. See the deep cleaning hub for other jobs to bundle, like the gas stove and hob.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I deep clean my fridge?

Every three months is a good rhythm for most households, with a weekly leftover check and spills wiped as they happen. Families who cook daily or store a lot of fresh produce may want to do it more often.

What's the safest cleaner to use inside a fridge?

Warm water with a little dishwashing liquid, or baking soda dissolved in warm water. Both clean well and leave no strong smell or residue near food.

Why is there water at the bottom of my fridge?

The drain hole at the back of the fresh food compartment is probably blocked by food debris. Clear it gently with a cotton bud or the tool supplied with the fridge, then flush with a little warm water.

Should I switch off the fridge to clean it?

For a normal clean, most fridges can stay on as long as you work quickly and keep the door shut where possible. Switch off and unplug if you're defrosting, reaching the back or underneath, or if your manual recommends it.

Want the kitchen festival-ready without losing a weekend? Book a clean and mention the fridge, or WhatsApp us on +65 8166 0891.