How to Clean a Freezer So It Looks and Smells Better

Cleaning a freezer is an often skipped, yet important household chore. It may not be opened and used with as much frequency as a refrigerator, but regular cleaning is just as necessary. Whether it’s spills, food containers that aren’t sealed properly, or a power outage, a freezer can start looking and smelling funky if not cleaned properly and regularly. And what’s worse, microbes such as bacteria and mold can begin to form, potentially causing food to spoil and foul odors to form.

To learn how to clean a freezer so it looks and smells better, follow this simple step-by-step guide which will take you through the process from start to finish. All you need is a couple of clean microfiber cloths, some warm water, dish soap, and baking soda, to help your appliance look and smell new again.

How to Clean a Freezer

To properly and safely deep clean your freezer, follow the below steps once or twice a year.

1. Check the manual. Before you get started, consult the manual provided by the manufacturer for any specific information on defrosting the freezer. If you can’t find the manual, you should be able to access it online by typing in the name of the appliance model.
2. Empty the freezer. Take everything out of the freezer and discard anything that may have gone bad, then place the rest of the items in a cooler filled with ice to ensure they stay frozen and don’t spoil.
3. Defrost the freezer. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to defrost the freezer before you start cleaning. This prevents potential cracks and damage to the freezer’s components.
4. Remove solid pieces. Whether it’s large pieces of ice or solid food particles, remove any loose pieces before you start cleaning.
5. Wash and dry the freezer. Once the freezer’s interior has come to room temperature, wash it with warm soapy water. Take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and wipe it dry.
6. Make a baking soda cleaning solution. In a large bowl, mix together warm water with baking soda—you’ll want to use a tablespoon of baking soda per quart of water.
7. Clean the freezer interior. Take another microfiber cloth, dip it in the baking soda-water mixture, and clean the interior of the appliance. Wipe off any residue with a clean microfiber cloth dampened with warm water.
8. Clean the freezer exterior. Follow the same steps to clean the exterior of the freezer as you did for the interior. Wash the exterior, including the handle, top of the door, and sides with warm soapy water. Then, wipe it down with a clean microfiber cloth, use the same baking soda mixture to clean it, and dry with a new microfiber cloth.
9. Check for odors. If you notice there is a lingering odor even after cleaning the freezer, place an open box of baking soda on the freezer shelf to absorb the odor. You can find baking soda that’s specifically designed for refrigerators and freezers for this very purpose.
10. Restock the freezer. Once the freezer is clean and odor-free, restock and organize it, noting down the date that it was cleaned so you know when to clean it next.

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How to Defrost a Freezer 

Check the manual provided by the manufacturer for directions to defrost your specific appliance model. As a general rule of thumb, after removing the freezer’s contents, unplug it and allow it to come to room temperature.

Remove any large solid pieces of ice to speed up the process and if there is a lot of ice built up, you can place a towel inside to soak up the water as it melts. Make sure to dry the freezer completely once it’s at room temperature, to prevent ice from forming again once the appliance is turned back on.

How to Clean Removable Freezer Parts

Your freezer may have removable parts such as shelves, drawers, bins, and an ice tray. Here is how to safely clean removable freezer parts to prevent damage:

1. Unplug and empty the freezer. Before you take out any removable freezer parts, make sure you have unplugged the freezer and have emptied it completely.
2. Allow everything to come to room temperature. Don’t start cleaning the parts while they are still frozen, as this can cause cracks and permanent damage. Wait until the pieces have fully thawed and come to room temperature.
3. Remove and wash the parts. Take out any removable components such as shelves, drawers, bins, and ice trays and wash them with warm soapy water, then dry them completely using a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
4. Fight odors with baking soda. If you notice lingering odors on the removable parts, scrub them with the same baking soda and warm water mixture that you used to clean the freezer. Rinse them under warm water to remove any baking soda residue, and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth.
5. Place them back in the freezer. Once you have cleaned and dried them, return the removable parts back inside the freezer.

How to Get Rid of Freezer Smells

Unpleasant freezer smells can be caused by frozen foods that aren’t properly sealed in airtight containers or bags, as well as freezer burn, a leaking refrigerant, and microbes such as bacteria and mold. If you have already cleaned the freezer but the odor remains, here are some steps you can take:

1. Allow for ventilation. Unplug the freezer, open the door, and allow air to circulate for up to a full day.
2. Use baking soda. Place an open container of baking soda inside the freezer to absorb unwanted odors.
3. Use activated charcoal. This is a good alternative to baking soda, which also absorbs excess moisture and foul odors without transferring any scents into the freezer interior. Place a container of activated charcoal inside the freezer to eliminate odors.
4. Neutralize with ground coffee. Pour freshly ground coffee into a bowl and place it inside the freezer to neutralize it and remove smells.

How Often to Clean a Freezer

As a general rule of thumb, you should deep clean a freezer once or twice a year. However, there are additional factors that may require more frequent cleaning.

• Power outage: If there’s been a power outage that has lasted long enough for you to have to remove the freezer’s contents, you will need to deep clean the freezer to eliminate potential microbes and foul odors.
• Refrigerant leakage: If you have noticed that the refrigerator has leaked, clean the freezer to prevent contamination.
• Spills and messes: Always clean the freezer after major spills and messes to prevent them from freezing and causing foul odors inside the appliance.