How to deep-clean a fridge and get rid of smells

2 min read · 9 steps · Updated 3 October 2026

A fridge collects spills, crumbs and forgotten leftovers in places you do not see, and that is where smells and bacteria come from. The UK consumer organisation Which? recommends a thorough clean two to four times a year, with spills wiped up as they happen. It takes about half an hour.

Step by step

1. Empty it

   Take everything out. Throw away what is past its use by date or looks or smells wrong. Put the perishable food in a cool bag with ice packs so it does not warm up while you work.

   Done

2. Take out shelves and drawers

   Remove all shelves, drawers and door racks. Let glass shelves warm to room temperature before they touch hot water, or they can crack.

   Done

3. Wash the parts

   Wash them in the sink with hot water and washing-up liquid, rinse, and leave them to dry on the draining board. Do not put plastic parts in the dishwasher unless the manual says they are dishwasher-safe, as they can warp.

   Done

4. Mix a mild cleaner

   Use lukewarm soapy water, or a spray of white vinegar mixed with water. A paste of bicarbonate of soda and water shifts dried-on spills. Avoid strong detergent sprays inside the fridge: their smell lingers and passes into food.

   Done

5. Wipe from top to bottom

   Clean the ceiling, walls, shelf ledges and finally the floor of the fridge, where crumbs and liquids collect. Dry everything with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.

   Done

6. Clear the drain hole

   At the bottom of the back wall there is a small channel and hole that carries condensation away. If it is blocked, water pools under the drawers. Clean it gently with a cotton bud or a pipe cleaner, and flush it with a little warm water.

   Done

7. Clean the seals and the outside

   Wipe the folds of the rubber door seal with a damp cloth and dry them. Dirt here stops the door closing tightly. Wipe the door and the handles, which are touched more than anything else in the kitchen.

   Done

8. Vacuum the coils

   If the coils at the back or behind the grille at the bottom are reachable, unplug the fridge and vacuum the dust off with a brush attachment. A dusty condenser makes the fridge work harder and use more electricity.

   Done

9. Refill

   Put the dry shelves back and restock: raw meat at the bottom, ready-to-eat food above.

   Done

Good to know

If a smell remains after cleaning, leave an open bowl of bicarbonate of soda in the fridge for a day or two. Check the drip tray above the compressor at the back as well, if your model has one you can reach.

Wipe jars and bottles before they go back in. Sticky bottoms are where the next ring of dirt starts.

The right setting matters as much as cleanliness: what temperature should a fridge and freezer be?

Related: how to defrost a freezer quickly and safely and how to clean a dishwasher.

In short: Empty, wash shelves in hot soapy water at room temperature, wipe the inside top to bottom with a mild solution, clear the drain hole, clean seals and handles, vacuum the coils, restock.