How Often Should You Actually Clean Your Freezer?

The freezer is one of the workhorses of the kitchen, whether we're grabbing ice for our drinks, stashing last night's leftovers, or storing our frozen staples. But how often are we giving it the TLC it deserves with a deep clean? If you're like most, probably pretty rarely. Chowhound spoke with Katie Dills, president of The Cleaning Authority, and we found out that we probably aren't cleaning it enough.

"The process mirrors how you would clean your fridge," she exclusively explained, suggesting more frequent, less labor-intensive wipe downs of doors and easy to reach portions of shelves. Deep cleans, on the other hand, should be done every three to four months. Unlike when cleaning a fridge, you'll need to take care not to spoil your food while cleaning, nor leave puddles from melting products. Dills suggests loading frozen food into an insulated freezer bag while you clean. This prevents food from thawing and then refreezing, which can lead to spoilage — or, with certain foods like ice cream, tell-tale changes to texture.

"Remove all the shelves, racks, and drawers, and let them come to room temperature," Dills said. Wash them with clean water and let the pieces dry off in the sink. Now, it's time to clean the inside of the freezer. "Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of water. Scrub down the inside using a microfiber cloth or a sponge," Dills said. Dry the interior with another microfiber cloth, and you're good to go!

Most of us at least semi-occasionally undertake the task of removing everything in the fridge to wipe it down, toss forgotten veggies, and declutter and organize its contents. But when everything's frozen, the need to clean can feel less pressing; and melts, spills, and spoiled food can go hidden for longer.

The task is certainly a more labor-intensive one to dig deep, remove all frozen occupants, and chisel through the icy layers. However, Katie Dills explained that it may actually be a necessary step. "If you start to notice an odor, see frost buildup, or have residue on the racks or shelves, it's time for a deeper clean," she advised. If you stick to a schedule of cleaning out the freezer every three to four months, though, you'll stay on top of things and avoid accumulation of larger spills or buildup that would require more intensive elbow grease to remove.

While you're wiping down the shelves and inserts, give the freezer gasket a quick clean with a warm soap- or vinegar-soaked rag. Dill told us to always avoid harsh cleaners in fridges or freezers, like bleach. Don't forget to give the top, bottom, and underneath a quick dust down with a rag or vacuum as well, to keep things sparkling and running as they should — inside and out.