As someone who has been working in the cleaning industry for years, I can confidently say that few areas of the home get neglected as much as the refrigerator and freezer. While people often call ar cleaning services Tampa when they need help with their kitchens, they sometimes forget that the fridge and freezer are just as important as countertops and floors.
Think about it: this is where you store your food, where your family gets daily meals, and yet, behind those doors, spills, odors, and hidden bacteria slowly build up. Unlike a visible mess in the living room, a dirty fridge doesn’t always shout for attention – but it affects your health, the freshness of your food, and even your energy bills.
Over the years, while providing cleaning services Tampa homeowners rely on, I’ve seen refrigerators that looked spotless on the outside but inside had sticky shelves, ice buildup, and a smell that no air freshener could hide. That’s why I believe a deep refrigerator and freezer cleaning should be done at least once every 3 months – and light maintenance every week.
Step by Step:
Step 1 – Get Ready First
- Dish soap or an all-purpose spray
- Baking soda
- A mix of warm water and white vinegar
- A microfiber cloth and a few sponges
- A small brush for corners
- Gloves to protect your hands
Before you start, gather everything you’ll need. Believe me, it’s much easier when everything is at hand.Many people skip this step and then get upset halfway through because they don’t have a place to put the food or the right cloth for wiping shelves. A little preparation makes the job easier and faster.
Step 2 – Empty the Fridge and Freezer
It sounds simple, but this is where people most often make mistakes. Cleaning “around the food” doesn’t work.
- Take everything out of the fridge.
- Check expiration dates right away – throw away everything expired or questionable.
- Sort the rest into groups: sauces, dairy, produce, frozen items.
I always tell clients: cleaning the fridge is also a chance to reset your eating habits. If a jar has been sitting there for years, it’s time to toss it.
Step 3 – Remove Shelves and Drawers
- Take out shelves and drawers and wash them in the sink with warm water and soap.
- If they’re glass, let them warm up to room temperature first to avoid cracking from hot water.
- If there are stubborn stains, you can clean them with a brush or scraper.
One of the biggest mistakes is trying to clean shelves directly inside the fridge. It’s uncomfortable and not effective.
Step 4 – Clean the Interior Thoroughly
This is the part most people don’t like. But if you go step by step, it’s really not so bad.
- Spray the walls, ceiling, and bottom with your cleaner.
- Wipe with a microfiber cloth or paper towel, especially the corners and seams.
In Tampa, I often see stains from juices, sauces, or milk. If they’re not cleaned, they quickly turn into a “home” for bacteria and mold.
Step 5 – Don’t Forget the Rubber Seals
These rubber edges on the doors are often ignored. But crumbs, moisture, and even mold build up there.
- I use a small brush or sponge, dip it in a vinegar solution, and go over all the seals.
- Then I wipe them with a paper towel.
This helps the doors close tightly and saves energy.
Step 6 – Freezer
The freezer is trickier because of ice buildup.
- Turn off the freezer or unplug it.
- Remove all the food.
- If there’s ice, let it melt naturally. You can speed it up by placing bowls of hot water inside.
- When everything is defrosted, clean the freezer the same way as the fridge – with cleaner and a sponge.
Never chip away ice with knives. It can puncture the wall or damage the coils. Patience is the key here.
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Step 7 – Exterior and Back
A clean fridge inside is great. But the outside also needs attention.
- Wipe the doors and handles with a disinfectant. Handles are the dirtiest spots since they’re touched all the time.
- If you want to go the extra mile, carefully move the fridge and vacuum the coils at the back. This helps it work more efficiently and saves electricity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using bleach or harsh chemicals inside the fridge. Food absorbs odors and chemicals – mild cleaners are safer.
- Skipping soak time. Just like with bathrooms, letting your cleaner sit for a few minutes makes scrubbing easier.
- Forgetting the freezer. People often clean just the fridge, but the freezer builds up odors and ice too.
- Ignoring seals and handles. These small parts make a big difference.
- Not doing it regularly. Waiting six months or more means harder work and higher risk of spoiled food.
Our Favorite Cleaning Supplies
Over the years, we’ve tried dozens of products, but we stick to the ones that truly work – giving great results without damaging surfaces or putting your health at risk. Here are the essentials we use most often:
Microfiber Cloths
Gentle on surfaces, they absorb moisture and grease perfectly, leaving no scratches or streaks behind. They’re the best choice for shelves and containers.
Dawn
My go-to for cutting through grease. Even old, stubborn stains don’t stand a chance. At the same time, it’s safe for use inside the fridge.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
If your fridge has stainless steel doors, this product works wonders. It removes fingerprints, restores shine, and makes the surface look “fresh from the showroom.”
Method
A light, eco-friendly, and safe cleaner. We love using it for the finishing touch so that the fridge smells fresh and natural – without that “chemical” odor.
My Personal Experience
Been mopping kitchen floors for clients in Tampa for cleaning services, this and that always seems exposed. Worst is among refrigerators. Surprise, some look fine from the outside; inside tells a different story.
One customer said they had a freezer full of food, so the door wasn’t closing properly. Every shelf had iced up; it took me almost three hours to defrost and clean it thoroughly. After that, they told me their electricity bill had dropped noticeably.
Fidge I do by myself once a week cleaning. Not thorough each time, I do wipe the shelves down, spot check leftovers, look for anything leaking. This always saves me hours of hassle later on.
Conclusion
Cleaning out your refrigerator and freezer isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most important things you can do in your home. This simple act can help protect your food, save you hundreds of dollars, and make your kitchen a whole lot healthier.
The key is consistency, in my opinion. Small habits during the week keep your fridge fairly fresh, and cleaning everything every couple of months never gets very intimidating.
And if you think it’s overwhelming at any time, that’s just the reason professional cleaning agencies like ours are there to take all that pressure off your shoulder and leave you with a sparkling, organized, and most importantly, hygienic kitchen.
FAQ
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Hey everyone, I’m Khrystyna! I’ve got experience in all sorts of cleaning, which I gained at Wow Now Cleaning. Now I’m sharing it with you all! I’d appreciate any comments or feedback on my tips, so feel free to write!
8 Comments
Wow, I never thought about cleaning the rubber seals on the doors! I always just wiped the shelves.
Thanks for sharing! Yes, seals are often forgotten, but moisture and even mold can collect there. If you wipe them every couple of weeks, the doors will close better and your fridge will last longer.
I cleaned my fridge last week but didn’t take the drawers out. Now I see why the smell stayed.
That happens a lot . Odors usually hide in the drawers and corners. Next time, try washing them separately with warm soapy water – you’ll notice a big difference.
My freezer always builds up ice. I didn’t know it’s better to wait for it to melt instead of chipping it off.
Exactly! We always suggest not to chip away the ice because it can damage the walls. The safest and fastest way is to put bowls of hot water inside – the ice will melt on its own.
These tips are super helpful! I have little kids, and now I’ll definitely wipe the shelves more often to keep away germs.
Thank you! That’s a great habit, especially with kids. Even wiping once a week makes a big difference – it keeps the fridge fresh and free of odors.