How to clean a freezer

Introduction:

No one wants a smelly, dirty freezer—especially not during the holidays when all of our favorite treats are inside! Follow these simple tips to clean your freezer and keep it smelling fresh all season long.

How to clean a freezer

Cleaning your freezer is a pretty involved task. But it's important to do, especially if you want to keep your food from spoiling. The good news is that you don't have to completely defrost your freezer in order to clean it. You can break the job down into three main parts: cleaning the exterior of the unit, cleaning the interior drawers and compartments and cleaning the interior surface of the unit underneath any removable compartments. Below, we'll provide more specifics on how to complete each step.

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You can achieve the first two goals of cleaning your freezer without a complete defrost of your appliance. All you need is a bowl of hot water, some dish soap and a few microfiber cloths. The hot water will help to melt any ice build-up on the exterior of the freezer and the dish soap will help to cut through any grease or grime. Be sure to use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving any lint behind. If you want to give your freezer a deep clean, you’ll need to defrost it in order to remove any ice build-up and disinfect the inside surfaces beneath. This will increase the time the job takes, so plan accordingly.

Get the right cleaning materials

Before you start cleaning your freezer, make sure you have all of the necessary materials. This includes a disinfectant-based cleaning fluid, a dish cloth for cleaning, a polishing cloth for buffing the exterior of your unit, and rubber gloves to protect your hands from any chemicals. If you're going to be defrosting the freezer, you'll also need some spare towels and trays to catch the ice water as it melts.

Preparing for a deep clean

In order to deep clean your freezer, you'll need to first remove all the food inside. This can be a good time to organize and purge any expired or unused food. Once everything is cleared out, you can begin the deep clean. Make sure you store any frozen food in cold conditions so it stays frozen during the cleaning process.

How to clean a freezer of ice build-up

How do you clean a freezer of ice build-up? First, you need to unplug it and let the ice melt. If you're in a rush, a hair dryer on a low setting can help speed up the process. Once the ice has melted, check in on the freezer every 20 minutes to empty the trays and wipe away any excess water. When the freezer is completely free of ice, wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth and disinfectant.

Cleaning a freezer exterior and interior drawers

There are a few key areas that you should focus on when cleaning your freezer. The exterior of the freezer can be wiped down with a disinfectant and a damp cloth. Any food residues or crumbs from the drawers should also be removed at this stage. The next step is to disinfect the entire surface of the freezer. This can be done by wiping it down with a disinfectant and a damp cloth. For a more thorough clean, you may want to remove the drawers from the freezer and clean them outside of the unit. Make sure that you clean the seal of your freezer properly. This is often a concertina shape that can attract debris and dust, so get your cleaning cloth into the crevices.

Defrost your freezer regularly to keep your unit fully clean

Regularly defrosting your freezer is one of the most important things you can do to keep it clean. Not only does ice build-up increase your energy consumption, but it can also lead to the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses such as salmonella and E-coli. Learning how to clean a freezer properly means learning to keep your ice build-up in check, to avoid any cross contamination.

Conclusion:

A freezer is an essential appliance for any home, and it's important to keep it clean so that your food stays fresh and your freezer runs efficiently. Follow these simple steps to clean your freezer and keep it in good condition.