Helpful Hints
Learn how to clean your fridge with step-by-step guide! Discover the best tools and materials for different surfaces and more.
A man in a yellow jumper admires an LG fridge with an illuminated InstaView™ panel, allowing him to see inside.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of how to clean a fridge, including:
The view is from inside the fridge, looking out. Someone is reaching inside the fridge for tomatoes.
Cleaning your fridge is a crucial part of regular maintenance, not only for hygiene but also to maintain the fridge’s efficiency. Debris inside the fridge can interfere with the fan, clog vents or condenser coils, leading to reduced performance and causing the fridge to work harder than necessary. This extra strain can shorten the lifespan of your fridge and increase your energy bills.
Aim to clean your fridge weekly to remove spills and expired items. For a more thorough clean, perform a deep clean every three months. Regular cleaning helps keep odours at bay and reduces the likelihood of build-up inside the fridge.
A person is standing in the kitchen organising items on the kitchen counter. There’s an LG fridge next to them with an illuminated InstaView™ panel, filled with juices and pastries.
To clean your fridge, we’d recommend using the following items:
Ensure you check your cleaning fluid to make sure it’s safe to use on a fridge. The cleaning fluid will usually state on the label what kind of surfaces you’re able to use it on. Be mindful of any other specific usage instructions, such as making sure not to leave the liquid on a surface for over 5 minutes, as it could damage or stain the surface.
Open stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator with right door revealing transparent shelves, bins, and drawers labelled "Fresh Zone." Left side has an in-door water and ice dispenser. Clean and empty interior.
Start by emptying all the contents of the fridge. This will help prevent spillage and breakage. You could put food in insulated bags or a cooler to keep them cold, or wait until shopping day so you have fewer things in the fridge. Try to work quickly to keep your items cold while you clean. Consider turning off the fridge. This will help prevent energy waste and is safer.
Use a microfibre cloth to wipe away crumbs and any other debris. Make sure you check any handles and the door seal for those rogue crumbs.
Remove all detachable parts of the fridge, such as shelves and drawers. If you have food items that need to be kept cold, keep one shelf in the fridge to store these items. Allow the shelves and drawers you’ve removed from the fridge to warm up to room temperature before cleaning. If glass shelves are exposed to warm or hot water while still cold, this could cause them to break due to shock in temperature. Once these shelves are cleaned and dry, put food on those shelves, then clean the remaining shelves. Do not wash shelves or drawers in the dishwasher.
Take out the shelves of the fridge if this is possible, and wash them in the sink with dish soap, warm water, and a sponge. If it’s not possible to remove the shelves from the fridge or if you're short on time – spray the shelves with cleaning spray on top and bottom, leave for a few moments, then wipe with a damp cloth.
Leave shelves and drawers to dry either on a towel or in the fridge.
Use a soft, clean sponge and mild cleaning detergent to wipe the inside of the fridge. Use the detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions. For a natural alternative, combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. However, always ensure to test a small inconspicuous area first before spraying all over the fridge. Do not allow the solution to sit for more than a few minutes. Use a damp cloth to wipe the fridge and remove any remaining vinegar solution.
Ensure all the cleaning detergent is removed from the fridge by wiping over with warm water and a damp cloth. If glass shelves are exposed to warm or hot water while still cold, this could cause them to break. Allow glass shelves to reach room temperature before cleaning.
Use a dry, clean microfibre cloth to wipe the fridge to help it dry.
If you have removed the shelves and drawers from the fridge, replace these and the food items into the fridge.
A fully stocked, open stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, drinks, dairy products, and frozen goods. The right door contains beverages, and the interior lighting illuminates the well-organised shelves and bins.
Organising your fridge effectively can make meal preparation and grocery shopping much easier. Start by decluttering your fridge and removing anything that’s out of date.
Place food that goes out of date sooner at the front of the fridge. This helps reduce food wastage as it makes it easier to know when food is nearing its expiry date and ensures you use it in time.
Consider storing meats on the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination and place dairy items on higher shelves. Place fruit and vegetables in the crisper drawer at the bottom of the fridge.
Designated zones for different types of food can be useful to keep your fridge organised. Implement clear storage bins for better visibility and to group similar items together. This not only keeps your fridge tidy but also helps in reducing food waste, as you can easily see and access everything you need.
Consider a fridge with advanced temperature control technology to ensure your food stays as fresh as possible, no matter where it's placed inside. The UVNano™ | 635L | Side-by-Side Fridge - GS-N635PL, for instance, is designed to help maintain optimal freshness. Its LINEARCooling™ system minimises temperature fluctuations, helping to keep your produce fresh for longer. Additionally, the SurroundCooling™ feature ensures efficient cooling from both the front and back. Cold air surrounds your food, quickly reducing the temperature of items stored at the front of the fridge and helping to keep food fresher for longer.
It’s also important to make sure the exterior of the fridge is regularly cleaned. This can help prevent rust, avoid wear, and remove finger marks.
Consider using a mild detergent of your choice to apply to the exterior of the fridge. Ensure to check that the cleaning detergent is suitable for use on the material of your fridge, and make sure to follow the cleaning detergent instructions to avoid damage, marks, or discolouration. Many LG Fridges are made with stainless steel, which is relatively easy to maintain.
Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining detergent.
Use a microfibre cloth or towel of your choice to dry the exterior of the fridge and to prevent any watermarks.
Stainless steel makes a great choice for your kitchen due to its anti-rust and hard-wearing properties.
Make sure to always clean stainless steel in the direction of the grain to prevent streaking. The grain could be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
Use a cleaner specifically designed for stainless steel to help maintain its lustre and prevent damage. If you don’t have a stainless steel specific cleaner, use a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Wipe in the direction of the grain.
Leaving stainless steel appliances to dry naturally can cause water spots. To avoid this, buff stainless steel appliances dry using a clean microfibre cloth. This can help to minimise streaks and keep your appliance looking shiny.
A woman is looking into a fully-stocked fridge filled with tomatoes, vegetables, juices, and more.
For a natural alternative to cleaning spray, make a paste of equal parts white vinegar and water . Apply to any stains and allow to sit for up to five minutes.
Use a damp sponge to wipe away the stain.
Use a scrub sponge to remove any stubborn debris if it does not wipe away easily. Use warm water to soften the debris, then use the scrub to gently dislodge it. Be careful not to damage the surface of the fridge as you do this.
Deep clean the fridge regularly and remove any old food to avoid odours. Baking soda can also be used to absorb any lingering odours. Place a few spoonfuls of baking soda into a cup inside the fridge to absorb any smells. Ensure to label the cup and place it on a high shelf.
Water buildup often occurs for one of the following reasons: blockage in the drainage hole, the door has been left open too long, hot food has not been left to cool before being placed in the fridge, or the appliance is not level.
Clean the drainage hole located at the lower part of the back wall with a damp cloth and cotton bud. Using a soft cloth, wipe to soak up any water in the appliance.
Avoid leaving the door open for too long. Ensure food is left to cool before placing it in the fridge to avoid condensation.
The recommended place to store meat is on the bottom shelf and away from other food items to avoid cross-contamination.
The ideal fridge temperature is between 3°C and 5°C.
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