A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean a Smelly Refrigerator With Vinegar

Did you know that food can spoil if left at room temperature for over two hours? Spoilage can even occur within an hour if exposed to 90° F or higher!

Unfortunately, the bacteria that trigger food spoilage also cause foodborne illnesses. Worse, some disease-causing germs, including the Listeria monocytogenes, can survive in cold conditions. That can allow them to continue living even inside your refrigerator.

That’s all the more reason to clean your fridge regularly — ideally every three months — and to act fast when you notice an unpleasant smell. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to clean a smelly refrigerator using vinegar and a few other household staples.

Prep Your Ingredients and Tools

Before you begin, gather everything you’ll need so you can work efficiently:

• White distilled vinegar
• Baking soda
• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber cloths or clean rags
• A non-abrasive sponge or scourer
• Dry, absorbent towels or paper towels
• A cooler with ice packs
• Cleaning gloves (optional but recommended)

Unplug the Fridge

Before cleaning, unplug the refrigerator or switch it off. This prevents wasting energy while the door is open and ensures safety while you’re working with water around electrical components.

Transfer the Contents to a Cooler

Take everything out of the fridge — every bottle, container, plate, and condiment jar. Place perishable items in a cooler with ice packs to keep them cold while you clean.

Pro tip: This is the perfect time to check expiration dates. Discard anything that’s expired, looks questionable, or has been sitting in the back for months. Expired food is one of the most common causes of persistent fridge odors, and keeping it around can make your family unwell.

Remove and Clean Drawers and Shelves

Pull out all removable shelves, drawers, and compartments. Before removing them, take a quick photo of the arrangement — it makes reassembly much easier, especially for the bottom drawer assembly.

Fill your sink with warm water and add a few tablespoons of baking soda. Soak the shelves and drawers for 15–20 minutes to loosen stuck-on residue. Then scrub gently with a sponge, rinse thoroughly, and let them air dry or dry with clean towels.

For stubborn buildup, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the problem area, and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing.

Clean the Interior Walls, Ceiling, and Floor

With the shelves removed, you’ll have full access to the interior surfaces — and you’ll likely notice spills and stains you didn’t see before.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on all interior surfaces — walls, ceiling, floor, and door compartments. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes to break down grime and neutralize odors.

Wipe everything down with a clean microfiber cloth, starting from the top and working down (so drips don’t dirty areas you’ve already cleaned). For sticky spots, sprinkle baking soda directly on the area and scrub gently with a damp sponge.

Avoid using bleach or strong chemical cleaners inside your fridge — they can leave residues and smells that transfer to your food. Vinegar and baking soda are food-safe and effective.

Rinse and Dry Interior Surfaces

After scrubbing, wipe all surfaces again with a cloth dampened with clean water to remove any vinegar or baking soda residue. Then dry thoroughly with clean towels. Moisture left behind can promote mold and mildew growth — especially in Savannah’s humid climate.

Wash the Exterior

Don’t neglect the outside of your fridge. Spray your vinegar solution on the door handle, sides, and top of the refrigerator. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth. For stainless steel surfaces, wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks.

Pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum the condenser coils and the floor underneath. Dust and pet hair on the coils make your fridge work harder and less efficiently.

Put the Drawers and Shelves Back

Once all components are completely dry, reinstall the shelves, drawers, and compartments. Refer to the photo you took earlier if needed.

Check and Wipe Food Containers Before Returning

Before putting food back in, wipe down the outside of containers, bottles, and jars. Sticky drips from syrup bottles, leaky condiment jars, and food container bases are often the source of recurring odors.

Organize as you go: move older items to the front and newer items to the back. Store raw meat on the lowest shelf to prevent cross-contamination.

Set the Right Temperature

After cleaning, make sure your fridge is set to 37°F (3°C) and your freezer to 0°F (-18°C). Incorrect temperatures are a common cause of premature food spoilage and recurring odors.

How to Keep Your Fridge Smelling Fresh

Once your fridge is clean, these habits will keep it that way:

• Place an open box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb odors — replace it every 30 days
• Store food in airtight containers to prevent cross-contamination of smells
• Wipe up spills immediately before they dry and become harder to remove
• Check expiration dates weekly and discard anything past its prime
• Do a quick wipe-down monthly to prevent buildup between deep cleans
• Clean your fridge thoroughly every 3 months using this guide

When to Call a Professional

If persistent odors remain even after a thorough cleaning, the smell may be coming from a drain pan, damaged gaskets, or mold hidden behind interior panels. In these cases — or if you’d simply rather spend your time on something else — Hubbard’s Maid Service includes kitchen deep cleaning (including the refrigerator) as part of our top-to-bottom cleaning service.