Typically the freezer is one of the easiest appliances to clean since it's usually not too dirty in the first place due to the fact that most of the food or items that go in there are sealed. However, it's inevitable that some crumbs will happen to fall out, some drips from ice cream containers, and other bits of food will accumulate which is why you should take the time to clean your freezer every so often, especially since it doesn't take all that much time and doesn't require any fancy tools or multiple cleaners.
Defrosting
You'll want to figure out whether you should defrost your freezer as part of the cleaning process. Freezers that aren't marketed as "frost-free" need to be defrosted at least once a year, though I would recommend doing it every six months as a freezer that has accumulated ice will reduce you freezers storage space and efficiency as well as adding to your electricity bill. You'll know that you need to defrost once the layer of ice around the freezer walls reaches a thickness of 1/4 inch or you have ice accumulating on your food.
Cleaning Your Freezer
Unplug your freezer and then you'll want to take everything out of your freezer (duh!). Lay some towels around the area of your freezer to catch any run off water. I would recommend that you don't chisel away the ice as you may cause damage; it's better to let all the ice melt on its own, which can take a few hours. While you're waiting for the freezer to defrost, get rid of any expired or freezer burned foods. Transfer the remaining items into a freezer bag or cooler.
Once the ice has completely melted, get a towel or paper towels to absorb the water. Take out removable shelves and clean them in water. Vacuum around the coils and the inside to pick up any crumbs and then wipe down the entire freezer with a simple solution of baking soda (1/2 cup baking soda to 1 gallon of water). You shouldn't use cleaners or soaps, as the scents can linger and permeate into your food. Definitely do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals as they can damage the inside of your freezer.
Once you're done with cleaning your freezer, remember to plug it back in and then wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before putting all your food back in. A thorough cleaning of your freezer ensures that your freezer continues to run optimally and that you don't need to do any type of maintenance or repairs later on down the road. You should check your food on a monthly basis so as not to store any expired food. Following these simple steps will allow for a very clean freezer!
Defrosting
You'll want to figure out whether you should defrost your freezer as part of the cleaning process. Freezers that aren't marketed as "frost-free" need to be defrosted at least once a year, though I would recommend doing it every six months as a freezer that has accumulated ice will reduce you freezers storage space and efficiency as well as adding to your electricity bill. You'll know that you need to defrost once the layer of ice around the freezer walls reaches a thickness of 1/4 inch or you have ice accumulating on your food.
Cleaning Your Freezer
Unplug your freezer and then you'll want to take everything out of your freezer (duh!). Lay some towels around the area of your freezer to catch any run off water. I would recommend that you don't chisel away the ice as you may cause damage; it's better to let all the ice melt on its own, which can take a few hours. While you're waiting for the freezer to defrost, get rid of any expired or freezer burned foods. Transfer the remaining items into a freezer bag or cooler.
Once the ice has completely melted, get a towel or paper towels to absorb the water. Take out removable shelves and clean them in water. Vacuum around the coils and the inside to pick up any crumbs and then wipe down the entire freezer with a simple solution of baking soda (1/2 cup baking soda to 1 gallon of water). You shouldn't use cleaners or soaps, as the scents can linger and permeate into your food. Definitely do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals as they can damage the inside of your freezer.
Once you're done with cleaning your freezer, remember to plug it back in and then wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before putting all your food back in. A thorough cleaning of your freezer ensures that your freezer continues to run optimally and that you don't need to do any type of maintenance or repairs later on down the road. You should check your food on a monthly basis so as not to store any expired food. Following these simple steps will allow for a very clean freezer!
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