Cleaning the Interior of the Refrigerator
How to Clean the Interior of your Maytag Refrigerator
Keeping the inside of your Maytag refrigerator clean helps protect your food, reduce odors, and maintain reliable performance. This guide explains safe cleaning sprays to use inside the fridge and provides a clear, step-by-step process for cleaning shelves, drawers, linings, and door seals without harming finishes or components. It also outlines the best way to clean fridge interior surfaces and what to clean fridge shelves with, so you can confidently clean refrigerator interior areas without damage.
Materials You’ll Need
Select gentle, food-safe products that won’t damage interior finishes. For most Maytag refrigerators, a mild spray cleaner is recommended when cleaning the interior of the refrigerator. Recommended cleaning solutions:
- Warm water mixed with mild dish soap (safe for regular use; ideal for what to clean fridge shelves with).
- White vinegar diluted 1:1 with water for deodorizing; rinse after use.
- Maytag-approved multipurpose or appliance surface sprays that are non-abrasive and ammonia-free.
- Baking soda dissolved in warm water (about one tablespoon per quart) for odor control.
Useful tools:
- Soft microfiber cloths or non-scratch sponges for shelves, bins, and walls.
- A soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush for seams, crevices, and gasket folds.
- A small basin or bucket for mixing solutions.
- Dry, lint-free towels for thorough drying.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Preparation and gentle techniques are key to safely cleaning the interior of the refrigerator. If your model allows, unplug the refrigerator or turn off the cooling before a deep clean, and pause the ice maker.
Empty and organize:
- Remove all food, placing perishables in a cooler with ice packs.
- Discard expired items and wipe sticky containers before returning them later.
- Take out shelves, bins, and drawers per your Owner's Manual. Handle glass shelves carefully and let them warm to room temperature before washing to avoid thermal stress.
Wash removable parts:
- Clean shelves, bins, and drawers with warm water and mild dish soap. Avoid hot water on cold glass.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a lint-free towel.
- For stubborn residues, use a baking soda solution. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub.
Clean interior surfaces and seals:
- Lightly spray a microfiber cloth with a mild soap solution and wipe walls, ceiling, and door liners. Avoid soaking seams or dripping into vents.
- Clean door gaskets with a damp cloth and mild soap. Gently lift folds to remove crumbs, then dry fully to help maintain a tight seal.
- For odor control, wipe with diluted white vinegar, then rinse with clean water and thoroughly dry.
NOTE: Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners such as window sprays, scouring cleansers, flammable fluids, cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents, bleaches, or cleansers containing petroleum products on plastic parts, interior and door liners, or gaskets
Reassemble and restock:
- Ensure all parts are completely dry before reinstalling shelves and bins.
- Restock food in organized groups to improve airflow and visibility.
Final checks:
- Wipe control panels and dispenser areas with a barely damp cloth. Do not spray cleaners directly on electronics.
- Restore power and ensure interior lights and cooling resume as expected.
Maintenance Tips for a Cleaner Fridge
Consistent care makes deep cleaning faster and helps prevent odors and buildup, helping you maintain a clean refrigerator interior day to day.
How often to clean:
- Quick wipe-down: weekly for shelves, handles, and spills.
- Deep clean: every 1–3 months, depending on usage and spill frequency.
- Gasket check: monthly to remove debris and keep a tight seal.
Preventing spills and messes:
- Wipe spills up immediately.
- Store liquids in sealed containers
- Cover leftovers tightly and label dates to avoid forgotten items.
- Do not overfill shelves—leave space for airflow.
- Keep high-moisture produce in humidity-controlled drawers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What spray can I use to clean the inside of the fridge?
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner such as a mild dish soap solution in a spray bottle or a Maytag-approved appliance surface cleaner. Ensure it is bleach-free and ammonia-free. Spray onto a cloth rather than directly on controls, seams, or vents. This guidance supports a clean refrigerator interior without damaging finishes.
How do I clean the interior of a fridge?
Unplug or turn off the cooling if possible. Remove food and shelves. Wash removable parts with warm water and mild dish soap. Wipe interior surfaces and gaskets with a damp microfiber cloth and gentle cleaner, then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. Reinstall shelves and restock food. Avoid harsh chemicals and excess moisture around electronic components to keep the refrigerator interior clean.
Can I put bins in the dishwasher?
Glass Shelves and Bins are dishwasher safe, but handwashing is recommended. Place Shelves and Bins on the top rack of the dishwasher. Ensure the shelves and bins have reached room temperature before placing them in the dishwasher to avoid cracking or breaking. Refrigerator shelves with under-shelf LED lighting are NOT dishwasher safe.