In short: empty the fridge a day or two before you move out and defrost the freezer if it has ice in it. Wash the shelves and drawers, then wipe the inside and the door seals with baking soda and water. Dry everything. If the power is going to be turned off, leave the doors propped open so it does not grow mildew.
When to start
- 3 to 5 days before: stop buying food and use up what is there
- The day before: empty it. If the freezer has a layer of ice, turn the fridge off and let it defrost with towels on the floor and a tray under the freezer
- Cleaning day: wash and dry it, then turn it back on if it is staying on
- No ice build up? Most frost free freezers only need a wipe, so you can do it all on one day
Step by step
- Set the temperature control to off and unplug the fridge, as Haier recommends before cleaning inside
- Take out the shelves, drawers and door bins. Let glass shelves warm to room temperature first: hot water on cold glass can crack it
- Wash the parts by hand in warm, soapy water. Haier says not to put fridge parts in a dishwasher
- Wipe the inside with 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water, rinse with a little clean water and dry
- Clean the door gaskets, the rubber seals, with the same solution. Food and mildew collect in the folds
- Avoid bleach, ammonia, solvents, abrasive cleaners and metal scouring pads, which can damage the finish
- Put the parts back once they are dry, then wipe the outside, the handles and the top
The ice maker
If the fridge has an ice maker and you are turning it off, Whirlpool says to shut off its water supply at least a day before. When the last ice drops, switch the ice maker off and empty the bin. Leave the water line connected, as it stays with the home.
Under the fridge
Many fridges have a drain pan underneath, behind the grille at the bottom front, that collects water from defrosting. If yours is easy to reach, check the manual to see whether it can be taken out and washed. Vacuum the grille and the floor in front. Do not pull a heavy or built in fridge out alone: it can scratch the floor or strain the water line.
Odors in a humid Florida home
A damp fridge switched off with its doors shut in a warm apartment is how mildew and stale smells start. Whirlpool says to prop the doors open when a fridge is turned off, so air can move and odor and mold do not build up. Samsung adds that the inside should be completely dry first, or mold or mildew may form.
- If the power stays on: ask your landlord whether to leave the fridge running once it is empty and clean. Check your lease too
- If the power will be turned off: leave the fridge off and dry, with the doors propped open by a rolled towel or a block taped to the top of the door
- Take photos: the clean, empty fridge and freezer with the doors open. See our guide to move out photos
The rest of the kitchen is in our move out cleaning checklist. The fridge is part of every move out clean: send a request for a move out clean and a local cleaner will call you to quote.