Speed-Clean Your Freezer Checklist

Take your freezer from filthy to flawless in 20 minutes with this cleaning checklist.

Illustration of spray bottles
Photo: Papercut
  • Minutes 1 to 3:

    Unplug the refrigerator. Put on rubber gloves. Empty the ice from the freezer trays into a large cooler. Scrub the trays with water, liquid soap, and a sponge. Set aside to dry.

  • Minutes 4 to 7:

    Unload the freezer. Ditch anything that has expired or is freezer-burned and covered in ice crystals. Put the rest in the cooler.

  • Minutes 8 to 11:

    Remove the drawers and detachable shelves and place them in the sink. Scrub them well with soap, water, and a sponge. Set aside to dry. Note: Most freezers defrost every 8 to 12 hours. If yours has more than ¼ inch of ice on the base or walls, manually defrost it. Before proceeding to the next step, dip a rag in rubbing alcohol, then cover the ice. Chip away frost with a plastic spatula.

  • Minutes 12 to 13:

    Follow the premeasured spray bottle to make a cleaner from 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon dish soap. Shake to blend.

  • Minutes 14 to 17:

    Douse the interior with the cleaner. Wipe down the walls and shelves with paper towels.

  • Minutes 18 to 20:

    Plug the unit back in. Hang or place the odor fighter in the back. Return the shelves and food.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles