HELPFUL HINTS
Our fridges and freezers keep our meals safe, our vegetables crisp, and our treasured leftovers ready for a midnight snack. But over time, even the best fridge freezer can start to harbour hidden spills, mysterious smells, and even potential health risks. In this in-depth guide, we’ll take you through a practical, step-by-step approach for cleaning your fridge freezer, drawing on expert tips from LG, answers to your most-asked questions, and practical advice on organising your space for optimal freshness. You’ll learn which tools and natural cleaning agents work best, which common mistakes to avoid, and how simple routines can banish odours for good—helping you protect your health, pocket, and the environment.
It’s easy to shut the door and forget about the crumbs, leaks, or that half-used jar lurking in the shadows—but a dirty fridge freezer is far more than an aesthetic issue.
✓ Food Safety: Harmful bacteria and mould thrive in warm, damp or neglected areas of your fridge. Regular cleaning stops cross-contamination, keeps perishables safe, and helps protect you and your family from foodborne illnesses.
✓ Appliance Longevity & Efficiency: Dust, grime and built-up frost make your appliance work harder, reducing its efficiency and potentially shortening its lifespan. A clean fridge freezer runs quieter, cooler, and is less likely to break down unexpectedly.
✓ Eliminating Odours: Strong smells are a sign of decaying food or bacteria. Routine cleaning prevents odours from seeping into your food and keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.
How regularly you should clean your fridge depends on the area and level of use:
✓ Daily: Wipe up spills as soon as they happen to prevent sticky build-up and cross-contamination.
✓ Once a week: Check contents for expired food, wilted veg or forgotten leftovers. Give handles and high-touch areas a quick wipe.
✓ Monthly: Empty the fridge, remove all shelves and drawers for a deeper clean, and inspect seal gaskets for mould or debris.
✓ Quarterly: Deep clean the freezer compartment if frost-free, or defrost and clean if required. Empty and clean drip pans and behind/appliance sides.
✓ Seasonally (every 3-6 months): Take stock of everything (including condiments), deep clean all surfaces, and review your organisational system.
Always use gentle, food-safe cleaning products and tools to avoid damage to your fridge. Here’s what you’ll need for a thorough, safe clean:
✓ Soft microfibre cloths (at least two)
✓ A bucket or washing-up bowl
✓ Distilled white vinegar (a natural antibacterial agent)
✓ Mild washing-up liquid
✓ A soft-bristled brush (a clean old toothbrush works well)
✓ Cool bag and ice blocks (optional, to keep perishables chilled during cleaning)
Avoid harsh abrasives or solvents! Anything too rough or chemically aggressive can scratch the interior, damage seals, or leave harmful residues near your food.
When cleaning the inside or outside of the appliance, do not wipe it with a rough brush, toothpaste, or flammable materials. Do not use cleaning agents containing flammable substances. This may cause discolouration or damage to the appliance.
Never use:
• Hard scouring pads, steel wool, or abrasive sponges
• Bleach, ammonia, or harsh chemicals
• Aerosol sprays or any products containing flammable ingredients
• Chlorine-based cleaners on stainless steel
Ready to transform your fridge from grimy to gleaming?
Follow this tried-and-tested four-step routine, recommended by appliance experts for all modern refrigerator types.
For optimal safety and energy savings while cleaning, use the cleaning time function of your fridge freezer to briefly turn it off.
Remove all food items. Place perishables such as dairy, raw meat or frozen food in a cool bag with ice blocks or, if you have space available, in a neighbour’s fridge. Toss anything spoiled, expired, or questionable. Use this as an opportunity to take stock of what you have, and wipe down any sticky bottles or containers.
Carefully slide out glass shelves, door bins and crisper drawers. Let any glass components come up to room temperature before washing to avoid cracking.
Soak these removable parts in a solution of warm water and mild washing-up liquid for stubborn stains and odours. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth and leave to air-dry completely before reinserting.
Start at the top of the fridge and wipe down all interior surfaces, including shelves, sides, doors, and hard-to-reach crevices. Don’t forget:
• The condensation trough and drain hole at the back (check your manual for the exact location)
• Door seals/gaskets (clean gently with a brush and dry well to keep them springy and mould-free)
Rinse cloths regularly for best results and pay special attention to corners or spots where crumbs accumulate.
Moisture left behind can encourage mould and odours. Use a separate clean, dry microfibre cloth to wipe all surfaces and shelves until absolutely dry.
Reinsert drawers and shelves only when fully dry to prevent sticking or “musty” smells. Finally, restock your fridge, wiping each item if needed, and reorganise for easy access and airflow.
When removing a shelf or drawer from inside the appliance, remove all stored foods from the shelf or drawer to prevent injury or damage to the appliance. Otherwise, injury may occur due to the weight of stored foods.
Always lift glass shelves and drawers calmly, wait for them to adjust from cold to room temperature before washing, and avoid overexertion to prevent breakage or injury.
Exterior Cleaning
Handles, doors, and even the outer gaskets of your fridge freezer collect smears, fingerprints, and bacteria just like any other high-traffic surface. Regular exterior cleaning is vital for both hygiene and appearance.
Use a soft microfibre cloth dampened with a little warm water to clean the doors and handles. For rubber door seals, gently work a brush or cotton bud into the folds to remove crumbs or mould, then dry fully with a separate cloth.
Disinfect high-touch areas like handles at least weekly—especially if you have children or regularly handle raw foods. Never soak or use excessive water near control panels or electronic displays.
If your fridge freezer has a stainless-steel finish, always wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks. For a spotless, smudge-resistant finish, apply a small amount of stainless steel cleaner to a microfibre cloth, then buff gently.
Avoid harsh chemicals and never use scouring pads, which can permanently scratch even the most robust finishes. Dry completely to prevent water marks.
A sparkling clean fridge is only half the battle—
how you organise your food plays a key role in preserving freshness, reducing waste, and avoiding those all-too-familiar forgotten leftovers.
Follow these simple ground rules for an efficient, food-safe fridge:
✓ Don’t Overfill: Cool air needs to circulate freely around your food for thorough, even chilling.
✓ Use Clear Containers: See what you have at a glance and avoid hidden surprises.
✓ First In, First Out (FIFO): Place newer items at the back and older items at the front so nothing is forgotten.
✓ Let Hot Food Cool: Always let cooked items cool to room temperature, ideally under cover, before refrigerating—this prevents raising the overall fridge temperature.
Each section in your fridge has a slightly different temperature, so store foods accordingly:
✓ Top Shelves (cool but stable): Ready-to-eat items like leftovers, yoghurts, drinks, herbs, and deli products.
✓ Middle Shelves (colder): Dairy (milk, cheese), eggs, and cooked foods.
✓ Bottom Shelves (coldest): Store raw meat, poultry, and fish here in sealed containers to prevent drips and cross-contamination.
✓ Drawers (higher humidity): Vegetables and fruits. Keep these separate for crispness and longer shelf life.
✓ Fridge Door (most fluctuating): Condiments, drinks, and butter (never raw milk or eggs as this is the warmest area).
If your model has LG’s DoorCooling+TM or Multi Air Flow technology, you’ll see even more consistent freshness throughout every compartment.
Bad odours aren’t just unpleasant—they can mean contamination, spoiled ingredients or simply poor ventilation. Prevention is not only easier than struggling with persistent smells, but also safeguards your family’s health.
Natural, food-safe odour absorbers neutralise smells without tainting your food:
✓ Activated Charcoal: Very effective for powerful smells and acts quickly; just ensure it’s food-safe and not spilt near uncovered items.
✓ Coffee Grounds: Dried, used grounds placed in a bowl can neutralise aromas. Replace fortnightly.
✓ Fresh Lemon: Slices in a small open dish offer pleasant freshness, but remember to change regularly.
Each works by trapping and neutralising volatile molecules that cause bad smells, creating a more pleasant and hygienic environment.
Build these good habits for ongoing freshness:
✓ Check and dispose of expired foods weekly.
✓ Clean up spills and leaks immediately with a mild detergent.
✓ Store strong-smelling items (cheese, onions, fish leftovers) in airtight containers.
✓ Leave a little space between items for air circulation.
Sometimes unpleasant odours stem from a neglected drip pan (the tray beneath your fridge designed to catch condensation).
To clean:
✓ Locate the pan (consult your user manual; most are accessed via the front base panel or from the back).
✓ Carefully remove, empty, and wash with warm soapy water.
✓ Rinse thoroughly, dry completely, and replace.
A clean, organised fridge isn’t just more pleasant to look at—it’s safer, more efficient and a core part of a healthy, stress-free kitchen. By following these steps and making regular maintenance a habit, you’ll extend the life of your LG fridge freezer, keep your food at its best, and enjoy peace of mind every time you open the door.
For the most accurate guidance, always refer to your LG appliance manual or contact LG support if in doubt. Happy cleaning!
How can I clean the refrigerator naturally?
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water for an eco-friendly, bacteria-busting cleaner.
Why is there so much water in the refrigerator?
• Frequent door opening or improper food storage can cause condensation.
• Blocked drain holes or a full drip pan may also contribute.
How to fix water in refrigerator?
• Check that the drain hole and drip pan are clear of debris and functioning.
• Store foods in covered containers and avoid placing hot food directly inside.
If the problem persists, consult your LG user manual or contact customer support.
Where should raw meat be stored in refrigerator?
Always store raw meat, poultry, and fish on the bottom shelf in a leak-proof container to prevent cross-contamination with ready-to-eat items.
How cold should a refrigerator be?
The recommended temperature for your fridge is between 1°C and 4°C (34–39°F). Freezers should be at or below –18°C (0°F). Use a fridge thermometer if your model does not have a built-in display.
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