The fridge is a key appliance in your kitchen and might not be top of your cleaning list – but regular maintenance can help improve food hygiene and save you money in the long run
When cleaning your kitchen it can be easy to overlook one essential appliance that also needs regular attention – the fridge.
Understandably a fridge is usually packed with food, which can make it feel like a slog to clean, and instead your focus is more on sideboards, cookers and the floor. But a number kitchen and cleaning experts have highlighted a recommended time frame for cleaning this type of appliance that will not only help maintain a good level of hygiene but also prolong its lifespan. One thing is certain – cleaning a fridge should not just be left to your spring cleaning list once a year. However, you may also be wondering just how much you need to clean the fridge and if you need to target every single drawer and compartment in it?
Olivia Young, product development scientist at Astonish, told Woman & Home (W&H) that you should clean your fridge at least every month. “Whilst this can be one of the more dreaded or forgotten-about tasks on your list ideally, you should aim to clean your fridge at least once a month,” she said.
The reason for this regularity, she says, is to help prevent any “buildup of spills, stains, and lingering smells,” as this will ensure that any food you have stored in it will be in a hygienic environment. One key consideration when cleaning is just how often the fridge is used. For example, if you have a big family at home then it’s likely that there will be high fridge traffic, which could lead to more frequent spillages In this case, you may have to clean it more than once a month.
Regular cleaning could help you save money on the need to replace costly appliances in the long run, even. She said: “By incorporating fridge cleaning into your monthly routine, you can prolong the lifespan of your appliance and enhance food safety.” With variables such as family size to consider, it’s a good idea to know exactly when your fridge needs a deep clean. Catherine Green, cleaning expert at Smol, told the same publication that there are handful of warning signs to look out for.
She said: “Spills or stains on the fridge shelves, walls or drawers. As well as unpleasant odours and a visible build-up of food debris in the corners or drawers.” Look out for mould or mildew growing in unexpected places like shelves due to spillages being left. As well as the usual spills that can happen in a fridge, for example milk, its surfaces could end up sticky or grimy from less obvious spills, such as from the bottom of a sweet chilli sauce bottle. Whenever you spot signs like these then it’s usually time to give the fridge a deep clean.
The number of shelves a fridge has can also determine the amount of cleaning needed. Catherine said those with more compartments will require more cleaning and that older models may have more nooks and crannies compared to more modern, streamlined fridges. “For these kinds of fridges you may find that spot cleaning when necessary, rather than deep cleaning once every four weeks is more efficient and saves you time, cleaning products and money in the long run,” she said.
If you have a fridge freezer, another factor to think about is the type you own as some might need cleaning more than others. Matt Ayres, appliance expert at RDO Kitchen and Appliances, told W&H: “Some fridge freezers have frost-free built-in technology, meaning you won’t need to defrost the fridge.”
He noted that this can save a “significant” amount of time when it comes to your scheduled clean. “If the fridge has an ice or water dispenser, it is advised to clean them every two months. This will ensure that the water quality stays high, and bacteria growth is minimised,” Matt said.
The expert urged changing the water filter as part of the “cleaning ritual” and to follow the advice given on frequency from the water filter supplier. He went on: “Usually, water filters will need to be changed roughly every 3-6 months depending on the type of filter and the usage.”
