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How To Clean Underneath The Fridge

New fridge against a grey wall

The kitchen is one of the vital rooms in your house. Therefore, thorough cleaning is required to keep the room habitable and hygienic. Typically, most people clean their kitchen by cleaning the utensils, wiping down the counters, vacuuming, disinfecting handles, and cleaning other kitchen appliances. Although that is a good start, cleaning underneath the refrigerator is vital. 

The refrigerator’s grill allows air to flow in and out to ensure the coils are working efficiently. However, the vents allow numerous grimes to build up, affecting your refrigerator’s efficiency. If you are looking to improve how your refrigerator works, it is crucial to clean its underneath. Most people overlook cleaning underneath the refrigerators because these appliances are enormous and not easy to move around. According to the experts, you should clean underneath your refrigerator at least once every three months! Regular cleaning will reduce dust and bits of food, thus reducing the occurrence of pests and allergies. To do it yourself, follow the steps mentioned below.

Need to know how to remove the glass shelves from your fridge? Check out our post How to Remove Glass From a Refrigerator Shelf to learn more.

Steps To Clean Underneath The Fridge

Step 1 – Remove The Grill

The first step entails removing the grill underneath the fridge. However, it would help if you started by unplugging the refrigerator and removing any rugs or mats under your fridge. After opening the refrigerator doors, grab the grill with your hands and then wiggle it off gently. You do not need a lot of effort because wiggling it off should unhook both sides. After unhooking, you can easily pull the grill outward.

Step 2 – Use A Coil Cleaning Brush

Close your refrigerator doors and get a coil cleaning brush to remove the dust of the coils. To do it right, you need to reach as far back as possible using the brush and then bring the dust to the front. The process can take longer, but you need to be patient. Remember, be cautious to avoid spreading dust to other areas in your kitchen while cleaning.

Dirty coils on the back of fridge

Step 3 – Vacuuming

After using a brush to remove dirt, vacuuming is essential to remove the dust that’s wasn’t removed by the coil brush. Vacuum the coil brush and stick the nozzle inside the grill. Ensure you carefully and slowly go over the coils, corners, and cracks. Using a vacuum cleaner is essential because you will remove all the remaining dust or grit.

Step 4 – Washing The Grill

Before putting the grill back in place, you need to wash it thoroughly. A bathtub is an ideal place to clean the grill because it’s big and has plenty of water. However, you can use your kitchen sink or any other place. Rinse the grill and use an appropriate cleaning solution or bleach to disinfect it. After thorough cleaning and disinfecting, it is advisable to dry the grill with a cloth or let it dry before snapping it back onto the fridge.

Dirty floor under fridge



With the help of a friend or family member, it is essential to clean the floor, mats, and rugs where the fridge was sitting upon. By doing this, you will clean the space and prevent mold growth. After returning the refrigerator to its spot, plug back it and ensure the fan and the cooling systems are working correctly.

Reasons Why Cleaning Behind The Fridge Is Essential

  1. Mold –  Mold growth can create a huge problem under and behind your refrigerator. Depending on the type or rate of mold growth, mold can pose numerous health hazards to you and your family members. Prevention is better than cure!
  2. Dust – It is common for the dust to collect under or behind your fridge or stove. Ergo, ensuring you clean underneath your fridge at least once every three months (or once every month if you have pets) is recommended. 
  3. Pests – If you do not want to welcome pests in your home, it is essential to clean under the fridge. Bits of food might attract ants, roaches, and mice, making your kitchen unhabitable. Having bits of food in your kitchen attract pests making it hard to eradicate them after some time.
  4. Bits Of Food – The scent of rotting food in your kitchen or at your home is not a pleasant smell. If you have kids or pets, getting bits of food on your upholstery, mats, or rugs is common. Also, bits of food facilitate mold growth after some time. 
woman with mop bucket and cleaning supplies standing in a clean kitchen



Finally, it is crucial to take precautions when cleaning your fridge to avoid damages. Remember to unplug the refrigerator and, after cleaning, ensure that it’s working. If your refrigerator isn’t working by any chance, do not try to repair it yourself because you can make the problem worse. Contact a professional in your locality to carefully check and repair the problem. 

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