Food Shopping and Storing Food Shopping & Storing Speed-Clean Your Refrigerator Checklist Take your refrigerator from filthy to flawless in 20 minutes with this cleaning checklist. By Allegra Muzzillo Allegra Muzzillo Allegra is the principal interior designer at ACM Interiors based in New York. She has more than 20 years of experience and has written about design for numerous publications including MyDomaine, Real Simple, Cottages & Gardens, and more. Highlights: * Former Real Simple writer and editor at MyDomaine * Former senior associate editor at Cottages & Garden Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 18, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: URTESY OF SCHENECTADY MUSEUM Minutes 1 to 2:Unplug the refrigerator. Slide a coil brush underneath the unit's kick plate (the rectangular panel just above the floor) to remove dust.Minutes 3 to 7:Empty the contents. Toss anything past its prime into a trash bag. Recycle glass and plastic containers.Minutes 8 to 10:Remove the drawers and place them in the sink. Scrub the drawers with a sponge, warm water, and liquid dish soap. Leave them out to air-dry.Minutes 11 to 15:Douse the interior with a multisurface spray. Wipe down the walls, then each shelf. (Don't forget the shelf seams and the rubber door seal.) Use an old toothbrush and a spritz of cleaner to dislodge grime from crevices.Minutes 16 to 17:Plug in the refrigerator. Return the drawers. Put the food back in, wiping down jars and bottles.Minute 18:Attach the baking-soda pod's suction cups to an interior wall.Minutes 19 to 20:Clean the exterior. For enameled steel: Use a multisurface solution and paper towels. For stainless steel: Dampen a microfiber cloth with distilled white vinegar and rub in the direction of the grain. All done! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit