How to Clean a Freezer

If you’re like many people, you might not clean your freezer unless something spills or you notice a funky, overpowering smell. However, just like the refrigerator needs regular attention, the freezer needs to be cleaned on a routine basis.

The mere thought of shuffling through the frost-covered items that are jam-packed in your freezer can seem daunting, but rest assured that there is an easy solution. Let’s look at how to clean a freezer.

Why It’s Important to Clean Your Freezer

Freezers are typically cramped spaces that are packed with frozen meats, ice cream, vegetables, bread and more. Each week when you shop, you might pile more things on top of the frozen items already in the freezer.

Eventually, the items in the back or bottom of the freezer get frosted over and freezer burnt. You might forget which items are in the freezer and how long they’ve been there.

While your freezer will keep things fresher for longer periods of time than your fridge does, the reality is that bacteria can still contaminate frozen foods as well. Cleaning your freezer regularly minimizes the risk of food poisoning.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Freezer

When the time comes to deep clean your freezer, set aside about an hour to do a thorough job.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Remove all of the food from your freezer. For items that you don’t toss out, store them in a cooler with ice to preserve them.
• Turn off the temperature control to the freezer. Leave the door open so the freezer can thaw. This step is only needed if your freezer has frost build-up.
• While you are waiting for the freezer to thaw out, remove any removable parts from the freezer, such as drawers and shelves. Hand-wash these parts in your kitchen sink.
• Fill a large pot or bowl with hot water and a few drops of liquid dish soap.
• Use a scrubber brush and the soapy water to clean the interior of the freezer. You can clean smaller areas easily with a toothbrush.
• After scrubbing the freezer clean, wipe away the soapy water using a second cloth.
• Use the hand attachments for your vacuum cleaner to clean dust off of the freezer coils.
• Reassemble the freezer, and put the food back inside.

Tips for Faster Defrosting

Defrosting your freezer takes far less time when you improve air circulation and introduce a heat source.

First, turn the freezer off. Place a bowl of steaming water in the freezer, and leave the door open. Once the ice is soft enough, you can wipe it off. You don’t have to wait for all of the ice to turn to water.

How Often Should You Clean Your Freezer?

Each time you go grocery shopping, spend a couple of minute sorting through your frozen foods. Remove expired foods. If you can’t remember how long something has been in the freezer, it’s best to toss it out. While you’re moving items around, wipe off shelves and racks.

Every one to three months, you should also deep clean your freezer. This is a more in-depth process that involves emptying the freezer of its contents and cleaning it with soap and water.

Preventing Future Mess and Odors

Freezer messes and odors are unfortunately far too common, but there are steps to prevent them.

• Ensure that all packages are properly sealed before placing them in the freezer.
• Wipe off containers before storing them away.
• Wipe off any drips and spills immediately. It’s easier to clean them when they are still wet and not frozen.
• Clear out expired foods and foods with unknown dates on a weekly basis.
• Place a small bowl of baking soda in the back of your freezer to fight odors. Replace the baking soda every two months to neutralize odors.

Cleaning your freezer is an essential part of deep cleaning your home or apartment, but it can be labor-intensive. With home and apartment deep cleaning service from Cleanzen, you can stay on top of this and other important cleaning chores without lifting a finger. To book your next deep cleaning service with our skilled pros, contact Cleanzen today.