Cleaning Up the Freezer

By Maid Brigade of Northern Connecticut

Have you looked in your freezer lately? Does it look like something exploded in there?

Cleaning the freezer isn’t necessarily a pleasant one, but it doesn’t have to be too painful.

You’ll need a large cooler, rubber gloves, mild dish soap, hot water, vinegar, a sponge, a wash cloth, paper towels or a dish towel, baking soda, and a toothbrush.

The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off your freezer. Either switch it off or unplug the unit — whichever is easiest. Empty any ice trays into a bowl and place in the cooler. Then soak the trays in a sink full of warm, soapy water.

You’ll then want to take out all of the frozen food and put it in the cooler.

Remove and wash all of the detachable drawers and shelves. You’ll want to let the units come to room temperature before cleaning to avoid cracking. Once they’ve warmed up, wash them in a sink full of warm, soapy water. It’s best to use fragrance-free dish soap if possible to avoid transferring any scents back to the freezer, which can be picked up by food. Rinse thoroughly and set aside to dry.

The next thing you’ll want to do is make a solution of equal parts hot water and vinegar or one quart hot water with two tablespoons of baking soda. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle and liberally spray the inside of the freezer.

Wipe out the freezer with a sponge or dish cloth and reapply the cleaning solution as needed. For stubborn, stuck-on food particles, spray your cleaning solution on a paper towel and place it over the sticky area. Let it soak for 10 minutes and then wipe it away. If necessary, use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the area.

Don’t forget to wipe down the freezer door and the surrounding seal! You may also find a toothbrush helpful here.

After you’re done washing it out, dry the inside of the freezer thoroughly with a paper towel or dish towel. After the inside of the freezer is completely dry, replace the shelves and drawers.

Now you’re ready to replace all the food and ice. Take a look through your frozen foods as you place everything back in the freezer. Throw out anything that has developed freezer burn and organize your remaining frozen foods by priority.

Don’t forget to turn the freezer back on!

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