Cleaning Your Freezer

Having to clean any of your kitchen appliances can often feel like a hassle. This is especially true when you have to clean up an appliance that you normally wouldn’t expect to, like your freezer. Though you may not need to clean out your freezer as often as your fridge, there still might come a time when you need to give it a good deep cleaning. We’re here with the rundown on how to simplify the process! Read on to find out some of the easiest ways to clean your freezer, and how often to do it.

How to Clean a Freezer

The first step is to remove everything from your freezer. Try to fit all of the cold items either in your fridge or in a cooler with ice. This is a good opportunity to finally throw out that old ice cream with freezer burn that’s been sitting in your freezer for months! Then, unplug the freezer. This will ensure that no electrical parts will get damaged as you clean it. Even if your freezer is connected to your refrigerator, feel free to unplug it – just make sure to keep the fridge compartment closed as you clean to trap the cold air inside. Take any removable shelves out of your freezer, as they’ll only get in the way of your cleaning. Once this is done, you can get started with your cleaning solution.

What Kind of Cleaning Solution is Safe for Use in a Freezer?

The best solution for cleaning a freezer is a mixture of vinegar and hot water. Hot water with soap is also acceptable, but you need to be sure to scrub it all out harder, as it is not food safe. Mix your desired solution in a spray bottle and get to work! Spray the solution all over the freezer compartment and wipe everything down with a sponge. Next, dry it all off with a paper towel cloth, then wipe down the outside of the freezer with a stainless steel cleaner if necessary or another surface-cleaning solution. Finally, dust or vacuum the condenser coils. Once this is all finished, put all of the shelving back in, restock the food, and plug the unit back in. You can also clean the shelves separately with soap before putting them back in. This cleaning process can usually be applied to any type of freezer whether it be connected to your refrigerator, a chest freezer, or an upright freezer.

What is the Best Way to Clean a Smelly Freezer?

To handle a freezer that smells, you can approach it with the same techniques as before, but with a little more intensity. If the basic cleaning didn’t eliminate the odor, try mixing water with bleach at a ratio of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle, spray the freezer, put on some cleaning gloves, and give the freezer another wipe down. Let the bleach solution stand for about ten minutes, then rinse a sponge with water and wipe away any remaining solution. Once that’s finished, leave the freezer open for a day or two to air out and dry off. This should help handle any remaining stench, but if not, you can try leaving a bowl of baking soda in the empty freezer for a few days to soak up any remaining smell.

How to Get Rid of Ice Buildup in the Freezer

If you’re dealing with ice buildup, and your freezer doesn’t have an auto defroster, you’re going to have to get in there manually. Be sure to empty and turn off the freezer as previously mentioned. Then, you’ll have to loosen and pull out the ice with the help of a plastic spatula or another tool that won’t damage the freezer’s walls. Filling a pot up with hot water and placing it in the freezer can also help melt the ice to make it easier to clear. For more thorough instructions, our blog article on how to defrost a freezer is an excellent resource. When all is done, dry off the freezer.

How to Clean the Ice Maker in a Freezer

To clean your ice maker, start by emptying the bin of ice. Make sure the ice maker is off when you go to clean it. Take the same vinegar solution as before and wipe down both the bin and any components in the freezer. Wipe it down once more with water to rinse it, dry everything off, and put the bin away.

How Often Should I Clean My Freezer?

You should aim to clean your freezer roughly once a year, unless there is an obvious issue like an odor that needs to be fixed immediately. Since everything is frozen, a freezer tends to be less messy than a fridge, so you won’t really need to clean it as frequently.

Cleaning your freezer may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Giving it a nice scrub once in a while can help keep it running smoothly for longer, plus you’ll get to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a fresh-smelling, sparkling-clean appliance in your home.