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Welcome to Clean Enough, a new kind of cleaning column for busy home cooks who have better things to do than scrub and sanitize around the clock. Every other week, neurodivergent writer and mom Emily Farris shares tips, tools, and products that can help you stay on top of the dirtiest spots in the kitchen while also dispelling a few cleaning myths and cutting down on clutter.
When my husband (then boyfriend) first moved in with me, he brought with him a box of half-empty, crusted-over condiments. I can still recall the panicky feeling as I watched it come through the door; at that moment I knew I was in for a life of sticky refrigerator shelves. A decade later, I’ve accepted the fact that those nasty jars are the price I pay for living with an excellent, exuberant home cook who, er, doesn’t notice every little spill like I do. While I’ve tried my best to manage the condiment clutter and other messes, I’ve also gotten really good at giving the fridge a deep clean every few months. Here’s my method.
Prepare a Staging Area
Obviously you have to take food out of the fridge to clean it. If you don’t have a ton of counter space, consider setting up a little folding table or using a few chairs. If you’re planning to do a really thorough clean, consider putting your food in a cooler. Whatever you use, you need at least enough room to hold a shelf’s worth of stuff. Make sure your kitchen sink is empty, too. While you’re at it, put the recycling bin nearby as you’ll likely be tossing expired items.
Gather Your Supplies
Vinegar is my go-to cleaning agent for this job. The acid breaks down grease and grime, and when mixed with hot water in a spray bottle, it becomes a food-safe cleaner that’s perfect for any gunk that might have accumulated on refrigerator shelves.
In addition to a non-toxic cleaning spray, you’ll want some sort of scrubby sponge or cloth, and at least a few microfiber towels.
Work Shelf by Shelf
While some people have enough counter space to completely empty their refrigerators before cleaning, unless you have a backup fridge or large cooler for storage, working one shelf at a time is often the best method, because you don't want to leave your perishables out for too long.
Once you remove everything from a shelf—starting at the top—assess the level of damage. If there have been any spills, carefully remove the glass from the frame (or brackets, depending on your fridge) and clean both sides, as well as the edges, with the vinegar solution. Then, dry it with a microfiber cloth. You can also wash the frame that holds the glass before replacing the entire shelf. For that, I usually head to the sink and use dish soap and hot water.
If there aren’t any caked-on spills that require shelf removal, simply run a scrubby sponge under hot water. Give the shelf and fridge walls an initial scrub to loosen any gunk. Then, spray it all down with cleaner and give it another scrub, before wiping everything clean with a microfiber cloth.
When you’re not actively working in the fridge, close the door to keep everything as cool as you can.
Doors and Drawers
Refrigerator drawers often accumulate debris, especially if they’re used for produce. For a deep clean, remove the drawers and wash them in the kitchen sink with soap and water. If they won’t fit in your sink, spray and wipe them clean, and dry them before putting them back. While the drawers are removed, wipe down the walls and “floor” of the fridge with the vinegar cleaner. Use the same method for the shelves inside the doors.
Clean It Before You Put It Back
What’s the point of deep cleaning the fridge if you’re just going to put sticky jam jars and crusty condiment bottles back in? Before you put anything away, make sure it’s clean. Even if it doesn’t appear dirty, it’s a good idea to give the bottom a quick wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, especially if the shelf was sticky. If any bottles or jars have accumulated a little goo on the outside, rinse them under warm water then wipe them clean and dry. If gunk has accumulated around the seal or the edges of the cap, take the lid off and wash it more thoroughly in the sink. And if something is expired, use this opportunity to toss it!
Wipe Down the Outside, Too
Once everything is back in your sparkling fridge, use a clean microfiber cloth and the vinegar spray to wipe down the outside of the doors, including the edges and seals, and definitely don’t skip the handles.
Keep It Fresh
Now you can enjoy the satisfaction of a super-clean fridge. For a while, anyway. If you want to keep it smelling fresher longer, stick a refrigerator freshener in the back.
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Fridge-n-Freezer Odor Absorber
