How you should clean your deep freezer

Deep freezers are one of the hardest working necessary appliances in our kitchen. They keep everything fresh and cold which means you can store all sorts of foods without worrying about them going bad. However, they also accumulate bacteria just like any other piece of equipment in your house which means they should be cleaned from time to time.
 
Cleaning a deep freezer is one of those challenging tasks that is necessary. Here we outline some tips on how you should clean your deep freezer.
 
1. What you need
You will need a cleaning solution, gloves, sponge or scouring pad, paper towels and disinfectant spray. Make sure that the deep freezer is unplugged before you begin cleaning it. Also, make sure to follow any instructions that are included in your appliance's manual about using harsh chemicals to clean it. Check your deep freezer manual or contact the manufacturer if unsure.
 
2. Disassemble your deep freezer
Before you begin cleaning your deep freezer, make sure that you disassemble it properly so you can get all surfaces and corners. After taking out the racks from inside the appliance, remove shelves by loosening the screws on their brackets. Label these parts carefully, so they can be put back in the right order when you are done cleaning your appliance. If there are any drawers or compartments inside of your deep freezer, make sure to take note of where they go and how to reassemble them before taking them apart.
 
3. Scrub all surfaces
Use baking soda and warm water to scrub away food spills, drips, and stains inside your deep freezer. To make the job easier, try using a cotton swab or an old toothbrush to scrub away de-frosted ice. For really tough stains or for any place you can't clean with simple tools, you can use a mild dish detergent to scrub away dirt.
 
4. Give it all a once-over with vinegar
Now that your deep freezer is clean to the touch, run an open box of baking soda through for 1 minute to neutralize any odours leftover from food spills or stains. Finally, give all surfaces—including the door and lid—a once-over with vinegar.
 
5. Focus on the door seal
Before you close up your deep freezer, use a lint-free cloth to wipe its rubber door seal clean of any food particles, dirt, or dust. You can also apply some petroleum jelly or cooking oil to the seal so it doesn't dry out.
 
6. Keep the freezer door closed
It's extremely important to keep your freezer fully closed for 2 hours so any remaining odours can be absorbed by your homemade deodorizer. And if you use baking soda while cleaning, don't forget to close your freezer's lid or this will cause it to lose its effectiveness—and possibly leave a film.
 
7. Wipe out the interior
Use a cloth or sponge with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid, then rinse it thoroughly to remove any soap film that may have formed. You can also use this solution to clean all of your freezer's components. Just make sure they're completely dry before you plug your appliance back in.
 
8. Clean your gasket
To clean the door's seal, wipe it with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water. Dry it off before you close the door to prevent any moisture from collecting and causing ice to form on the door. You can use a vinyl kitchen spatula for this job, but be very careful not to damage the surface of your freezer.
 
9. Don't forget the outside
A quick wipe with a damp sponge or cloth is all you need to clean your freezer's exterior, but be sure it's completely dry before you plug in your appliance. Otherwise, moisture may cause ice to form on the outside of the door and/or the front of the machine.
 
Let it air dry and don't use any harsh cleaners, which can damage painted metal surfaces and plastic parts. For tough stains like grease, you can use an all-purpose cleaner.
 
10. Cleaning the coils at the bottom of your deep freezer
If your freezer has coils underneath it, either exposed or covered by a grill or metal plate, don't forget to vacuum them every few months to keep them clear. This helps improve airflow and prevent frost build-up, which is key for maintaining an even temperature inside the appliance. Cleaning the coils with a stiff brush or toothbrush may be necessary if they are really caked with dirt.
 
Cleaning your deep freezer thoroughly should take no more than an hour, but it's a chore that should be done around once every six months for best results.
 
In addition to the tips for cleaning your deep freezer, we answer some common questions.
 
What do you clean the inside of a deep freezer with?
A solution of hot water and baking soda works well here. This will remove the smells and also help prevent any bacteria from growing in the freezer. Ensure you rinse off with clean water after to get rid of any residue.
 
How do I keep my deep freezer running efficiently?
Clean out your freezer regularly, particularly if you store food that has strong smells. Any food that is stored in addition to your regular items will need cleaning out once it has defrosted.
 
What do you clean the top and bottom parts of a deep freezer with?
The best way to clean both the top and bottom of a deep freezer would be with baking soda and warm water. Just like the inside, ensure you rinse off with clean water after to get rid of any residue.
 
Can you wash a deep freezer?
No, it's not advisable to wash a deep freezer. Cleaning the inside regularly would be fine but no need to throw your hands in and create a worse mess.
 
What is the best way to clean a very dirty or untidy refrigerator?
For very dirty fridges, baking soda is your best friend. Apply some to the inside of the fridge before shutting the door and leave overnight for a good clean deep down. You can sprinkle some around the base of things like produce drawers too for an extra clean touch.
 
Do you clean a freezer with bleach?
Don't. Bleach is way too harsh for such a big piece of equipment and it's also bad news if the freezer isn't properly rinsed afterwards.
 
What can you use to clean your refrigerator?
Regular soap and water is all that should be needed to get your fridge looking like new again; no need for any special products.
 
How often should you clean a deep freezer?
At least once every six months is generally the rule of thumb, but if you find that there's a build-up in your freezer then it could probably do with some extra TLC.