9 Quick Fridge Cleaning Hacks, in 30 Minutes or Less

Co-authored by James Sears and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: June 16, 2022 References

Cleaning your fridge is not exactly fun, but it's definitely necessary. Thankfully, there's a lot of handy tricks you can employ to make the process faster (and your fridge cleaner). Read on for some fridge cleaning secrets that are sure to help you with the process.

1

Use baby wipes for a quick clean.

This is a great option when you don't have time for a full clean. Anytime things are looking messy, take a baby wipe and wipe down the inside surfaces of your fridge. They'll help you remove any set-in grime and are also great to wipe up crumbs and spilled food.^{[1]
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- Use baby wipes to clean off the outside of your fridge as well.

2

Use a magic eraser to instantly remove fridge stains.

This can help with discoloration from condiments in particular. Wipe down the surfaces of the fridge with the magic eraser. Pay close attention to any spots where condiments may have spilled, like the inner shelves on the door.^{[2]
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- Purchase a magic eraser online or at local kitchenware stores.

3

Remove stubborn stuck-on food with hot water.

All you need is a cloth. Dip a cloth in hot water and place it on top of the stuck-on food. Hold it there for a few seconds, then scrub off the food with the cloth. The heat from the hot water will make the food way easier to remove!^{[3]
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- You can also use a sponge instead of a cloth for this method.

4

Make a baking soda paste for a deeper clean.

Mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of baking soda per 1 cup (240 mL) of water. ^{[4]
X
Research source} Wipe down the surfaces with a clean cloth from top to bottom to avoid dripping cleaning solution on the places you've just cleaned. To get to particularly hard-to-reach spots, like the hinges and cracks in between shelves, scrub them with a toothbrush. After you've wiped down every surface with the solution, use another towel or microfibre rag to dry the interior.^{[5]
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James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
- Use baking soda and water to clean any mold growth in your fridge as well.^{[6]
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- Clean from the top down so you don't re-dirty anything that you've already cleaned.^{[7]
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  Heather Isenberg
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}

5

Use baking soda as a cheap and effective deodorizer.

Place an opened box of baking soda on the bottom shelf. Place the whole open box or pour some baking soda into an open container.^{[8]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Use it to absorb any lingering smells after you clean the fridge, and keep it there to make things smell fresh for months to come.^{[9]
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Heather Isenberg
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}^{[10]
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- Replace the baking soda every 3-6 months.
- You can also use activated charcoal to deodorize your fridge. Use a freshly-laundered sock to store the charcoal and place it on the bottom shelf of the fridge like you would baking soda.^{[11]
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6

Eliminate stubborn bad odors with vanilla extract.

Keep the vanilla extract in your fridge to dissipate lingering smells. Soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract and place it in your fridge so that it smells fresh and clean. When keeping it in your fridge, store the cotton ball in an open container, like a glass ramekin or a small cup, so that things stay tidy.^{[12]
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- Try placing the cotton ball in the back of the fridge so it doesn't get in the way.

7

Get hard-to-reach crumbs using a vacuum tube attachment.

Use a slim tube attachment to vacuum inside the fridge. First, wipe off your vacuum attachment to make sure that it's clean. Then, vacuum any spots in your fridge that are particularly hard to get to, like the corners and far back portion of the shelves.^{[13]
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- Avoid using a vacuum to remove large pieces of food scraps. Stick to crumbs, leaves from fruits and vegetables, and dust.

8

Use a vacuum to clean filthy fridge coils.

This helps you get rid of any dust and dirt stuck at the back of the fridge. First, unplug the fridge.^{[14]
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Research source} Utilize a coil brush to get rid of dirt and grime on the condenser coils of your fridge. After, plug in your vacuum and use it to get rid of any more excess dust. Remember to plug the fridge back in when you're done.^{[15]
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- Keeping the coils dust-free allows your fridge to run more efficiently.^{[16]
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9

Line your fridge shelves with placemats for easier cleanup.

This helps a lot with food spills. Cut the placemats to fit the inside of your fridge and line them along the shelves. If you spill some food or a container leaks, simply remove the placemats and wash them.^{[17]
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- You can also purchase specifically made fridge liners online and at local kitchenware stores.