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[Explore Stack Internal](https://stackoverflow.co/internal/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=diy-community&utm_campaign=side-bar&utm_content=explore-teams-compact-popover) # [How do I clean a very dirty refrigerator?](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator) [Ask Question](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/ask) Asked 15 years, 6 months ago Modified [11 years, 6 months ago](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator?lastactivity "2014-08-20 00:22:15Z") Viewed 65k times This question shows research effort; it is useful and clear 9 Save this question. Show activity on this post. I just got a new house and inherited a very moldy and mildewy refrigerator. My first though it to get some cleaning spray with bleach and just go to town, but I'm worried the bleach might damage the fridge in some way. It's close enough to an outside door that I could take it outside and hose it out as well. I'm wondering if others have had a similar situation and got good results with a particular set of cleaning products. - [cleaning](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/cleaning "show questions tagged 'cleaning'") - [mold](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/mold "show questions tagged 'mold'") - [refrigerator](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/refrigerator "show questions tagged 'refrigerator'") [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/q/1769 "Short permalink to this question") Share a link to this question Copy link [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 3.0") [Improve this question](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1769/edit) Follow Follow this question to receive notifications [edited Jul 31, 2011 at 14:49](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1769/revisions "show all edits to this post") [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/3312/aarthi) [Aarthi](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/3312/aarthi) 1,14377 gold badges2020 silver badges2929 bronze badges asked Sep 13, 2010 at 18:03 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/595/joseph) [Joseph](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/595/joseph) 1,31055 gold badges1616 silver badges2121 bronze badges [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid answering questions in comments.") \| ## 8 Answers 8 Sorted by: [Reset to default](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator?answertab=scoredesc#tab-top) This answer is useful 2 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. Here's my 0.02: For starters, check with the refrigerator manufacturer for official cleaning instructions. Some have explicit cleaning instructions/restrictions. Try basic cleaning first (a good how-to is available here: <http://www.ehow.com/how_92_clean-refrigerator.html>). Assuming that doesn't do the trick, you can try bleach but be careful. Another good how-to is available here: <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2489239/how_to_clean_a_moldy_refrigerator.html> \-M [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/1773 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1773/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Sep 13, 2010 at 19:15 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/722/mike-b) [Mike B](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/722/mike-b) 8,2635656 gold badges120120 silver badges154154 bronze badges [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 4 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. There's a lot of good advice here on cleaning the inside of the fridge. One thing I'd like to add: **Don't forget to periodically clean the fridge's coils**. The coils are typically found underneath or on the back of the fridge, and are meant to dissipate the heat. The coils will, over time, get blocked with dust etc. and the fridge runs less efficiently as a result of such buildup. Keep the coils free of dust and you'll save money and extend the life of the fridge. Use a vacuum with appropriate connectors, and be careful when moving the fridge, vacuuming the coils, etc. Here's a good reference: [How to Save Energy--Clean Your Fridge Coils](http://www.ehow.com/how_2026039_save-energy-fridge.html) [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/2377 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/2377/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Oct 23, 2010 at 20:37 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/74/chris-w-rea) [Chris W. Rea](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/74/chris-w-rea) 1,49544 gold badges1717 silver badges2626 bronze badges 1 - Great point. I checked the coils on my fridge a month or so ago and it was a MESS! Cleaning definitely helped. Mike B – [Mike B](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/722/mike-b "8,263 reputation") 2010-10-23 21:09:21 +00:00 [Commented Oct 23, 2010 at 21:09](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator#comment2620_2377) [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 3 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. I've cleaned minor mold and mildew with Windex, but if it's that bad, do you really want to store your food in it? Any harsh chemical cleaner may have a bad effect on any rubber/plastic seal, too, though using occasionally and not letting it sit minimizes the effect. [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/1771 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1771/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Sep 13, 2010 at 18:54 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/602/chris) [chris](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/602/chris) 3,29111 gold badge2525 silver badges2020 bronze badges [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 3 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. Just use vinegar and water. [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/1817 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1817/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Sep 15, 2010 at 15:22 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/653/nportelli) [nportelli](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/653/nportelli) 46744 silver badges1212 bronze badges [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 2 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. I've used bleach in the past but you have to rinse it out VERY well. Depending on where the fridge is (and if you can manage to get some friends to help you) you could take it out on the lawn or driveway, scrub the daylights out of it with bleach and water and then hose down the inside with the garden hose ... that way the mess is outside and you can spray to your hearts content without dirtying up the kitchen (or room where it's located). [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/1770 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1770/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Sep 13, 2010 at 18:52 user45 4 - 3 This could be bad for your grass if the bleach runoff gets to it. Tester101 – [Tester101](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/33/tester101 "133,395 reputation") 2010-09-15 20:26:07 +00:00 [Commented Sep 15, 2010 at 20:26](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator#comment1923_1770) - @Tester101 very true indeed .... maybe stick to the driveway or use something like "Simple Green" user45 – user45 2010-09-16 01:02:48 +00:00 [Commented Sep 16, 2010 at 1:02](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator#comment1926_1770) - Move a fridge to clean it? Kind of overkill. Bucket and water would do fine. nportelli – [nportelli](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/653/nportelli "467 reputation") 2010-09-16 13:17:40 +00:00 [Commented Sep 16, 2010 at 13:17](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator#comment1939_1770) - @nportelli depends on how bad it is and where it's currently located. If it's as nasty as he claims it might be simpler take it out and clean in the room it's in. user45 – user45 2010-09-16 14:17:53 +00:00 [Commented Sep 16, 2010 at 14:17](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator#comment1940_1770) [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 2 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. When I moved into our "new" condo almost 2 years ago I ran into a similar issue - the fridge was a disgusting mess, full of mildew, mold and various food stains. It was beyond disgusting, but we were able to salvage it - using my steam cleaner to clean/sanitize the interior. [My Steam Cleaner](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B0009317JQ) Apparently the one I own has been discontinued, but something similar to this will work excellent. Far better than using chemicals to clean - and it removes pretty much everything nasty you find in a dirty old reefer. Since I purchasing the steam cleaner - I've pretty much eliminated the need to use chemicals for the majority of my hard surface cleaning. [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/2332 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/2332/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Oct 21, 2010 at 23:02 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/379/kkeilman) [kkeilman](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/379/kkeilman) 3,45111 gold badge2222 silver badges1717 bronze badges [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 1 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. After doing everything else to clean the hard surfaces, you might want to look to see if you can get a gasket replacement kit for your model of fridge -- sometimes, it's easier to replace softer parts than to try to clean them. (particularly if they're aged / cracked / torn / etc.) ... oh ... and don't use mouthwash. That was my brother's solution to trying to use to disinfect (after hosing out and scrubbing) a fridge in similar condition that I acquired ... everything tasted vaguely minty for months afterwards. [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/1822 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 2.5](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 2.5") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/1822/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications answered Sep 15, 2010 at 19:33 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/86/joe) [Joe](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/86/joe) 7,33622 gold badges3535 silver badges5050 bronze badges 1 - Is your brother a member of the site? Tester101 – [Tester101](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/33/tester101 "133,395 reputation") 2010-09-15 20:30:02 +00:00 [Commented Sep 15, 2010 at 20:30](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator#comment1924_1822) [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like “+1” or “thanks”.") \| This answer is useful 1 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. Generally speaking, baking soda is recommended for cleaning and deodorizing the fridge. You do not want to use harsh cleaners as they tend to leave their odor inside and they may harm the plastic and rubber. My friend uses laundry detergent but it is hard to rinse the suds out completely, so stick with the baking soda. Leave it outside with the doors open for a day or so then closed with baking soda boxes inside and wiped on the walls. Then rinse. Ta da!!! It sounds too simple but it does work. [Share](https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/26289 "Short permalink to this answer") Share a link to this answer Copy link [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ "The current license for this post: CC BY-SA 3.0") [Improve this answer](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/26289/edit) Follow Follow this answer to receive notifications [edited Mar 24, 2013 at 13:26](https://diy.stackexchange.com/posts/26289/revisions "show all edits to this post") [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/22/niall-c) [Niall C.](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/22/niall-c)♦ 21k1919 gold badges9797 silver badges137137 bronze badges answered Mar 24, 2013 at 6:14 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/12208/user12208) [user12208](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/12208/user12208) 1111 bronze badge [Add a comment](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/1769/how-do-i-clean-a-very-dirty-refrigerator "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. 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This question shows research effort; it is useful and clear 9 Save this question. Show activity on this post. I just got a new house and inherited a very moldy and mildewy refrigerator. My first though it to get some cleaning spray with bleach and just go to town, but I'm worried the bleach might damage the fridge in some way. It's close enough to an outside door that I could take it outside and hose it out as well. I'm wondering if others have had a similar situation and got good results with a particular set of cleaning products. [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/3312/aarthi) [Aarthi](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/3312/aarthi) 1,1437 gold badges20 silver badges29 bronze badges asked Sep 13, 2010 at 18:03 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/595/joseph) This answer is useful 4 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. There's a lot of good advice here on cleaning the inside of the fridge. One thing I'd like to add: **Don't forget to periodically clean the fridge's coils**. The coils are typically found underneath or on the back of the fridge, and are meant to dissipate the heat. The coils will, over time, get blocked with dust etc. and the fridge runs less efficiently as a result of such buildup. Keep the coils free of dust and you'll save money and extend the life of the fridge. Use a vacuum with appropriate connectors, and be careful when moving the fridge, vacuuming the coils, etc. Here's a good reference: [How to Save Energy--Clean Your Fridge Coils](http://www.ehow.com/how_2026039_save-energy-fridge.html) answered Oct 23, 2010 at 20:37 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/74/chris-w-rea) 1 This answer is useful 3 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. I've cleaned minor mold and mildew with Windex, but if it's that bad, do you really want to store your food in it? Any harsh chemical cleaner may have a bad effect on any rubber/plastic seal, too, though using occasionally and not letting it sit minimizes the effect. answered Sep 13, 2010 at 18:54 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/602/chris) This answer is useful 3 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. Just use vinegar and water. answered Sep 15, 2010 at 15:22 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/653/nportelli) This answer is useful 2 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. I've used bleach in the past but you have to rinse it out VERY well. Depending on where the fridge is (and if you can manage to get some friends to help you) you could take it out on the lawn or driveway, scrub the daylights out of it with bleach and water and then hose down the inside with the garden hose ... that way the mess is outside and you can spray to your hearts content without dirtying up the kitchen (or room where it's located). answered Sep 13, 2010 at 18:52 4 This answer is useful 2 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. When I moved into our "new" condo almost 2 years ago I ran into a similar issue - the fridge was a disgusting mess, full of mildew, mold and various food stains. It was beyond disgusting, but we were able to salvage it - using my steam cleaner to clean/sanitize the interior. [My Steam Cleaner](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B0009317JQ) Apparently the one I own has been discontinued, but something similar to this will work excellent. Far better than using chemicals to clean - and it removes pretty much everything nasty you find in a dirty old reefer. Since I purchasing the steam cleaner - I've pretty much eliminated the need to use chemicals for the majority of my hard surface cleaning. answered Oct 21, 2010 at 23:02 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/379/kkeilman) This answer is useful 1 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. After doing everything else to clean the hard surfaces, you might want to look to see if you can get a gasket replacement kit for your model of fridge -- sometimes, it's easier to replace softer parts than to try to clean them. (particularly if they're aged / cracked / torn / etc.) ... oh ... and don't use mouthwash. That was my brother's solution to trying to use to disinfect (after hosing out and scrubbing) a fridge in similar condition that I acquired ... everything tasted vaguely minty for months afterwards. answered Sep 15, 2010 at 19:33 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/86/joe) 1 This answer is useful 1 Save this answer. Show activity on this post. Generally speaking, baking soda is recommended for cleaning and deodorizing the fridge. You do not want to use harsh cleaners as they tend to leave their odor inside and they may harm the plastic and rubber. My friend uses laundry detergent but it is hard to rinse the suds out completely, so stick with the baking soda. Leave it outside with the doors open for a day or so then closed with baking soda boxes inside and wiped on the walls. Then rinse. Ta da!!! It sounds too simple but it does work. [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/22/niall-c) [Niall C.](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/22/niall-c)♦ 21k19 gold badges97 silver badges137 bronze badges answered Mar 24, 2013 at 6:14 [](https://diy.stackexchange.com/users/12208/user12208) Start asking to get answers Find the answer to your question by asking. [Ask question](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/ask) Explore related questions See similar questions with these tags.