Keeping your fridge clean is an essential part of maintaining a safe and hygienic kitchen. Whether at home or in a commercial setting, a clean fridge not only increases food safety, but also reduces waste and keeps your appliance running efficiently.
Now, food hygiene training experts at High Speed Training have shared some top tips on keeping your fridge running effectively, as well as looking and smelling clean. “Regularly cleaning your fridge is crucial for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria on food, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses or food poisoning. It also helps reduce cross-contact between foods, which could cause severe allergic reactions,” said Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training. “In addition to eliminating unpleasant odours, regular cleaning improves your appliance’s efficiency and extends its life, while also helping you save money by reducing food waste and avoiding duplicate purchases.” He also revealed exactly how often you should be cleaning your fridge.
“It’s advised to perform a quick wipe down every week,” Dr Anderson revealed. “Wipe the shelves, drawers and door handles to remove spills and crumbs and check for any expired food.
“Look to do a deep clean at least once every three months. This involves removing everything from the fridge and thoroughly cleaning the inside before putting food back in it.
“For commercial fridges, spot cleaning should be done daily, deep cleaning should be done far more frequently, often weekly, and thorough cleaning of all the fridge’s internal and external elements should be done monthly. It’s also recommended that commercial fridges are professionally serviced every year to ensure they remain efficient.
“In a commercial setting, having a thorough cleaning routine helps maintain good food hygiene standards, ensures legal compliance and improves your chances of achieving a high Food Hygiene Rating.”
You don’t need specialist equipment or chemicals to clean a fridge – most of the time it can be cleaned simply with soap and water. Here is how to tackle the cleaning of some of the individual elements.
Drain Hole: Unblock the drain hole with a pipe cleaner or cotton bud to prevent leaks and water build-up. Flush with warm soapy water and dry.
Fridge Coils: Switch off the fridge and pull the fridge away from the wall. Use a vacuum or soft brush to remove dust from the coils.
Drip Tray: Remove the drip tray if accessible, then empty it and wash with warm soapy water before drying and replacing.
Fridge Seals: Wipe fridge seals with warm water and mild detergent, using a toothbrush to loosen any trapped dirt and dry thoroughly.
Exterior: Wipe the exterior of the fridge with a damp cloth and mild cleaner. For stainless steel, use a specialist cleaner or a vinegar solution to reduce streaks.
Fridge Shelves: Remove the shelves and drawers, wash them in warm soapy water, rinse clean and dry before replacing.
Water Dispenser: Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular fridge but, in general, you can flush the dispenser with warm water to clean it out. Wipe the dispenser area regularly to prevent limescale and bacteria.
Fridge Filter: Replace the water filter every 6 months or as recommended by the manufacturer. Rinse the filter housing before fitting the new filter.
