How to Clean a Fridge Properly (Without the Smell Coming Back)

A fridge that smells is one of those things you notice every time you open it. It can make food seem less appealing, and it can indicate a hygiene issue — mould, old food residue, or bacteria growing somewhere in the fridge interior.

Most fridge cleaning attempts address the visible surface without getting to the actual source of the problem. The smell comes back within days because the cause is still there. This guide covers the full clean — including the parts most people miss — and what keeps odour from returning.

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Why Fridges Smell

Fridge odours come from one or more of these sources:

Spilled food or liquid that hasn't been fully cleaned. Even a small amount of juice, sauce or liquid that has dripped under a shelf or into a drawer crevice ferments over time and produces strong odour.

Mould. The door seals, the underside of shelves, and the walls of the crisper drawers can develop mould — particularly if the fridge has had moisture inside from uncovered food or condensation.

Strong-smelling food without adequate covering. Onions, garlic, certain cheeses and leftovers release odour compounds into the fridge air that are absorbed by other foods.

Expired or forgotten food. The back of the fridge is where things go to die. A container pushed to the back and forgotten produces significant odour as it deteriorates.

The drain hole. Most fridges have a small drainage hole at the back of the fridge interior that allows condensation to drain to a drip tray at the bottom of the appliance. This drain can become blocked with debris and develop bacterial growth.

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Preparation: What to Do First

Choose the right time: Clean the fridge when it's relatively empty — before a big shop, not after. This reduces the amount of food handling.

Have a cooler ready: If you have a cooler with ice, transfer perishables while you clean. If not, work quickly — most food is safe at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, and the clean shouldn't take longer than that.

Check use-by dates as you remove items. This is the ideal time to cull expired products. Be honest — if it's been in the back of the fridge for 6 months, it's going out.

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Step 1: Empty the Fridge Completely

Remove everything — every container, every bottle, every item in the door shelves and crisper drawers. Everything.

This is the step most people skip by wiping around things. You cannot clean a fridge properly with things still in it.

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Step 2: Remove All Shelves and Drawers

Most fridge shelves lift out or slide forward and lift. Crisper drawers pull straight out. Remove them all and take them to the sink.

Important: If shelves are glass or ceramic, allow them to reach room temperature before washing in warm water. Cold glass in hot water can crack. If you've just removed them from a cold fridge, leave them on the bench for 10–15 minutes first.

Wash shelves and drawers in the sink with warm soapy water. Use a cloth and a brush to clean every surface including the underside of shelves (which accumulate drips) and the corners of drawers. Rinse thoroughly and set aside to dry.

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Step 3: Clean the Interior

With shelves and drawers removed, every interior surface is accessible.

Cleaning solution: Mix warm water with a small amount of dish soap, or use a solution of 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda in 500ml water. Bicarbonate of soda is pH neutral, food-safe, deodorising, and effective for fridge interiors. Avoid bleach inside the fridge — the fumes and residue are not appropriate for a food storage area, and bleach isn't necessary for cleaning fridge interiors.

Sequence: Work from top to bottom.

1. Wipe the ceiling of the fridge interior.
2. Wipe the back wall — this is where spills run down and accumulate at the bottom.
3. Wipe the side walls.
4. Wipe the shelf runners/ledges where shelves sit.
5. Wipe the floor of the fridge interior thoroughly — this is where the most spillage collects.

Use a toothbrush for crevices between the walls and the floor, and around shelf runners.

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Step 4: The Door Seals

The door seals (rubber gaskets around the fridge and freezer door) are the most consistently missed area in fridge cleaning and the most common source of mould.

The seal has folds and crevices that trap moisture and food particles. In a running fridge with temperature cycles, these conditions produce mould — often black or dark green — that you'll only see if you pull the seal away from the door slightly and look inside the fold.

Use an old toothbrush with your cleaning solution to scrub every centimetre of the seal, including inside the folds. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

If there's significant mould in the seal: apply a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) with the toothbrush, leave for 2 minutes, then wipe thoroughly and rinse. Dry the seal completely after cleaning.

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Step 5: The Drain Hole

At the back of the fridge interior, near the bottom, there's a small drainage hole. Its function is to carry condensation from the fridge interior to the drip tray underneath. It blocks with food debris and develops bacterial and mould growth.

Clear the drain hole with a toothpick, cotton bud, or a specific fridge drain cleaning tool (available at appliance stores). Flush with a small amount of warm water. You should see water dripping from underneath the fridge if the drain is clear.

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Step 6: The Drip Tray

The drip tray sits under the fridge, above the compressor, and collects the water that drains through. Most people don't know it exists. It can accumulate significant mould, bacteria and odour-producing residue.

Locate it by removing the kick plate or grille at the bottom front of the fridge — it usually just pops or slides off. The tray slides out. Remove it, take it to the sink, and wash it thoroughly with hot soapy water. Dry before replacing.

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Step 7: The Exterior

Wipe the outside of the fridge — front, sides and top. Pay attention to the door handle (high touch surface), the area around the ice/water dispenser if you have one, and the space between the fridge and any adjacent cabinetry.

For stainless steel exteriors: wipe with the grain using a damp microfibre cloth, dry immediately, and finish with a tiny amount of mineral oil on a dry cloth.

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Step 8: Replace and Restock

Replace the now-dry shelves and drawers. Return food items, grouping sensibly and keeping the most frequently used items at eye level and the front.

When returning items:

• Wipe sticky bottles and containers before returning them (sticky sauce bottles are a common spillage source)
• Cover all leftovers — uncovered food dries out and releases odour
• Keep strong-smelling items (onions, garlic, aged cheese) in sealed containers

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Eliminating Persistent Odours

If the fridge still has odour after a thorough clean, a residual absorber helps:

Baking soda box: An open box of baking soda in the fridge absorbs residual odour compounds. Replace every 3 months.

Fresh coffee grounds: A small bowl of fresh or used coffee grounds absorbs fridge odours effectively — particularly strong smells like fish or garlic.

Activated charcoal: Available from health food stores and some supermarkets, activated charcoal is highly effective at absorbing odour compounds. Small sachets placed in the fridge are a long-lasting solution.

Lemon half: A cut lemon placed in the fridge deodorises mildly and pleasantly. Replace every few days.

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How Often to Clean a Fridge

Monthly: Quick wipe of visible spills and any obvious residue. Check door seals.

Quarterly: Full clean as described above.

Immediately after any significant spill: Don't leave it. Juice, sauce or liquid that soaks under shelves and ferments is the primary source of persistent fridge odour.

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For a thorough kitchen deep clean in Adelaide that includes the fridge interior, door seals and drip tray, contact PF Cleaning Adelaide.

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Written by Victor Jacon — Master Cleaner & Home Detailing Specialist, Founder of PF Cleaning Adelaide.