How to Clean a Fridge: Step-by-Step Guide (With Food Safety Temperatures)

Knowing how to clean a fridge properly is mostly about order: empty it, clean from the top down, then put food back the safe way. A full clean takes about an hour. The steps below follow the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s food storage advice and the cleaning guidance in fridge makers’ manuals.

Why does fridge cleaning matter for food safety?

Fridge cleaning matters because spills and old food spread bacteria and smells to everything else. Raw meat juice is the biggest risk. The FSAI says raw meat, fish and poultry are potential sources of food poisoning bacteria and must be kept apart from cooked food.

A clean fridge also runs better. Dirty door seals stop the door closing tightly, so cold air escapes and the fridge works harder. A blocked drain hole leaves water pooling under the salad drawer.

The FSAI also suggests clearing out the fridge regularly so out-of-date food is thrown away. Pairing that with a proper clean every few months keeps the fridge safe and fresh.

What materials do you need?

You need nothing stronger than bicarbonate of soda and washing up liquid. The FSAI recommends mild cleaners because strong-smelling products can taint food.

How to clean a fridge step by step

Work from the top down so drips land on areas you have not cleaned yet. These steps combine FSAI advice with Samsung’s published fridge cleaning guidance.

1. Switch off and empty it. Turn the fridge off at the wall. Put chilled food into a cool bag with ice packs.
2. Bin what is past its date. Throw out anything past its use-by date, and leftovers older than 2-3 days.
3. Remove shelves and drawers. Let cold glass shelves reach room temperature before washing, so they do not crack.
4. Wash the removable parts. Use warm soapy water in the sink, rinse and dry fully.
5. Wipe the inside. Use a cloth wrung out in bicarbonate solution. Start at the top and back, then the walls and floor.
6. Clean the door seals. Run a soft brush or cloth along every fold of the rubber seal, then dry it.
7. Clear the drain hole. Samsung advises pushing a pipe cleaner into the hole, then pouring soapy water down it.
8. Dry, refit and switch on. Dry every surface, refit shelves and let the fridge cool before reloading.

Reload in the safe order. The FSAI says raw meat, fish and poultry go on the bottom shelf, with cooked food above, so drips cannot reach ready-to-eat food.

Our deep cleaning service includes the inside of the fridge if you empty it before the team arrives. Cupboards, appliance fronts and tiles are covered in the same visit.

The fridge is also on the list for any end of tenancy clean. Letting agents open it at the check-out inspection, so empty and clean it before the keys go back.

What temperature should a fridge be?

A fridge should hold food between 0°C and 5°C, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. A freezer should be at -18°C or colder. Above 5°C, bacteria in chilled food multiply faster.

The dial on the fridge does not always match the real temperature, especially when shelves are crowded. The FSAI suggests buying a non-mercury fridge thermometer and adjusting the thermostat if needed. Check it after cleaning, once the fridge has run for a few hours.

The FSAI also covers power cuts and doors left open. If the fridge was above 5°C for a substantial time, the food should be thrown away.

How do you clean a freezer and the outside of a fridge?

You clean a freezer the same way, but defrost it first if ice is thicker than a few millimetres. Switch it off, put frozen food in a cool box and lay towels around the base. Never chip ice with a knife, which can puncture the cooling pipes.

The outside of a fridge needs a cloth and warm soapy water. White fridges show grubby marks around the handle, which usually lift with a bicarbonate paste on a soft cloth. On stainless steel fronts, wipe with the grain and buff dry.

Pull the fridge out once a year and vacuum the dust from the floor and the back grille, if your model has one. Unplug it first.

How to clean a microwave at the same time

A microwave cleans fastest with steam, so do it while the fridge is cooling down. Put a microwave-safe bowl of water with a slice of lemon inside and heat it for 3-4 minutes. Leave the door shut for a few minutes so the steam softens dried food.

Wipe the inside with a damp cloth, take out the turntable and wash it in the sink. Dry everything and leave the door open for a few minutes. For a cooker with years of grease, our oven cleaning service is priced from €75 for a single oven.

Mistakes to avoid when cleaning a fridge

Most fridge cleaning mistakes either taint food or damage parts. Avoid these:

• Bleach or strong-smelling sprays. The FSAI warns that strong-smelling products can taint food.
• Hot water on cold glass. A sudden temperature change can crack a shelf.
• Leaving food out for the whole clean. Keep chilled food in a cool bag with ice packs.
• Forgetting the drain hole. A blocked hole causes pooled water and smells.
• Overfilling after cleaning. Air needs to circulate for the fridge to hold 0-5°C.
• Scouring pads on plastic liners. They scratch, and scratches hold dirt.

How often should you clean your fridge?

Clean up spills as they happen, check dates once a week and do a full clean about every three months. Before the big weekly shop is a good time for the date check, because the fridge is at its emptiest.

Clean the fridge straight away if raw meat juice leaks, food goes mouldy or a smell appears. If you are moving out, our end of tenancy cleaning checklist shows how the fridge fits into a full move-out clean. To book a kitchen deep clean, call 01 230 8646.