How to Clean a Freezer in 10 Simple Steps

If your freezer is a hot mess and you are ready to get this project off your list, then you are in the right place. Get a step by step approach on how to clean a freezer and streamline it so it is organized going forward.

Ad this guide to your home cleaning tips so you can put another chore on auto-pilot!

Having a daily, weekly, monthly cleaning routine that you can easily keep up with will go along way to creating a home you love.

I am so excited for this weekend! I get to clean a freezer!! Said no one, EVER.

This job is just one of those: “I hate it, and I really don’t want to do it” jobs and for that reason, it tends to get pushed down to the bottom of the cleaning to-do list. 

Unfortunately, NOT cleaning out your chest freezer, or any freezer for that matter, can shorten the life of this pretty expensive appliance. Not to mention risk the integrity of hundreds of dollars in frozen food.

Today, we are going to get this chore checked off of your cleaning list once and for all by breaking it all down in super-simple steps. Just follow along one by one and before you know it, you will have a clean and shiny freezer even your mother would be proud of!

How to Clean a Freezer

When it comes to a big project, I like to break things down into smaller steps. Put your focus on one step at a time until you have finally finished this important project.

Step #1.  Pick the Best Day

In order to correctly clean the inside of your freezer, you will need to remove all the frozen food. For that reason, you will want to pick a day that is not too hot so when you do empty everything out you have a bit more time before things begin to melt.

I love to do this chore in the winter. This way I can use the cold of outside to help keep my things cool as I work. Just be sure to have things in containers so as not to attract any unwanted guests.

This should lengthen your defrost times just a bit, keeping your food frozen longer. 

Step #2. Gather Your Supplies

You are going to need just a few things before you begin. These items will help to make sorting easier to do so you can this area quickly cleaned and organized without risking any food loss.

• A large table. This can be sued for sorting out food into categories. If you have a sore back as I do, a table helps you to work without straining as you are cleaning and sorting.

• Several coolers. If you are not cleaning your freezer in the winter, you will want to have a collection of coolers to hold frozen items so they do not start to thaw. You can also use the coolers to help you do a preliminary sort. Label each on the outside with the name of the category of food inside.

1. Meat/Pork
2. Poultry/Fish
3. Produce
4. Desserts
5. Bread
6. Leftovers

• A pen and paper. Use this for writing down anything you want to add to your shopping list.

• A freezer inventory sheet. Make a list of what you have so you can more easily use up frozen foods before they go bad.

• A large trash can. Also, be sure to include a pile of heavy-duty bags for any food that needs to be thrown away.

More Food Decluttering Resources:

• How to Clean and Organize a Fridge
• How to Store Food Without a Pantry
• How Long Does Food Last in a Freezer?

Step #3.  Unplug Your Freezer

This is more for safety than any other reason. Water and electricity do not mix, and to keep everyone safe, let’s unplug your freezer before we get started.  

Remember, once you unplug, the clock is ticking for you to clean your freezer, so be sure you have a large chunk of uninterrupted time before you tackle this project.

Step #4.  Location, Location, Location

You will want to be sure your freezer will not damage the floor from water. If your appliance is on concrete, you should be fine here.

If your freezer is on tile or other flooring, make sure you have a backup plan in place before beginning. Have a few towels and maybe cardboard down on the floor before you get started. 

Step #5. Sort and Purge Your Freezer Food

As you remove an item, check the date and the appearance of the wrapping. If the food is outdated or the package or the food itself is damaged, you may want to discard it. 

If the item is good, sort into coolers that are opened, labeled, and ready to be filled. 

DM PRO TIP: Don’t forget to have a pen and paper ready so you can make a good inventory of the foods you will have on hand in this freezer.

Not sure if your food is still good? Here are a few clues to look for.

• Weird discoloration of the food inside.
• You can actually smell that the food is sour or bad.
• There is a thick layer of ice or frost on the food inside of the container.
• The frozen item has been in your freezer for a very very long time. If you are not sure how long food can be stored, you can check out this handy food APP.

STEP #6.  Defrost Your Freezer

Once all the food is out, you will want to begin defrosting your freezer. This is the most important step when you clean a freezer, so don’t skip over it.

Since this part can take quite a while to do, there are a few things you can do to speed things up just a bit. 

1. Place a very hot container of water in the freezer and close the lid. The steam from the water will help the ice to melt a bit more quickly.
2. You can also use a hairdryer, but I am not a fan of this tip because of the risk of electric shock. If you choose to go this route, just be very careful you are following safety and keeping that dryer away from any water while using it.
3. Place a towel below a shelf that has ice build-up to keep spills from getting out of hand.

Step #7.  Clean out Your Freezer

Once you have all the ice removed, take the time to give things a good and thorough cleaning. It always amazes me how things can spill in a freezer. We have this mysterious and baffling pile of red “goo” in our chest freezer, even though I have never had anything red in our freezer. Every time I am in there, and I see it – it baffles me….which is quite a lot of baffling. (Seriously, I have never used that word so many times in one paragraph. ????)

Now is your chance to really remove anything that has been frozen and caked-on from old spills.

Remove any shelving or baskets and wash them in a large utility sink or kitchen sink using warm soapy water. Place on a large towel to dry.

How to Clean a Freezer:

1. Use a mild cleanser such as Dawn dish detergent or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and water.
2. With a rag, wipe down the interior of the freezer, being sure to get the sides, floor, and ceiling.
3. If necessary, rinse with a second rag to remove any soap left behind.
4. If you notice an odor that is not being removed as you clean, you may want to put an open container of baking soda inside.
5. Close the door and allow it to sit if you can for a bit and see if that helps eliminate some of the smell.

DM PRO TIP: Be sure to routinely check on your coolers to be sure your food is staying frozen. If you see things are beginning to melt, you may want to add ice. Be sure to put the ice into freezer bags first to keep your frozen packages of food dry.

I would also suggest keeping an open container of baking soda in your freezer to keep future smells from happening.

Step #8.  Replace the Shelving

Put back into place any bins, baskets, or shelving you removed to wash. Be sure things are locked securely into place so they can hold the weight of the food you will be returning inside.

Step #9.  Organize and Replace

This is the fun part!

Remember, the more thorough you are with this step, the easier it will be to know what food you have so you can better use it before you lose it in the future.

Don’t forget to count how much you have of each food item. Having a list of foods in your freezer is a great way to make a more efficient weekly meal plan and, in turn, limit food waste.

Be sure you have easy-to-use containers that will allow you to find what you need. This can be especially helpful in a deep chest freezer.

I love these recycling bins and have been using them for years without a single crack. They hold quite a bit, and even when full, I am able to lift them in and out to get the items from below.

Oh, yes, and they totally save your back when you need to get down to the bottom of that chest freezer!

These baskets are the smaller ones, so be sure you check the measurements before you buy them. If you have a very large freezer, you may need to jump up a size so you are sure it has a better fit.

Here are a few more organizing options for your chest freezer.

• Deep Clear Bins – Great for bags of fruit and veggies.
• Freezer Basket – A great way to double the space you have in a freezer drawer.
• Freezer Wire Baskets – A good way to keep bags corralled.
• Freezer Rack – I love this organizer for boxed meals.

The main goal when organizing a chest freezer is to set things up so you can get in, find exactly what you need, and get out quickly. This will keep the cold air in, allowing the integrity of the food inside to remain intact.

If you find you had quite a bit of food that was damaged, you may want to invest in a vacuum food sealer. These have really come down in price, and the money you will save on food waste is a great trade-off for your investment.

Step #10.  Don’t Forget the Outside

Most folks might think the job is done at this point, but there is one more important step. Cleaning the outside. You will want to do a good wipe down of the top and sides of your freezer while inspecting the condition as you do. Look for any rust or rips in the door seal. If you see any questionable damage, take the time to repair it now while things are empty.

When you clean a freezer, your biggest tool to have is time. Enough to empty, defrost, clean, and then organize so you can get it done in the fasted time possible.

Get this chore on your annual cleaning schedule so your freezer stays in good working order for many years to come.

More Cleaning Resources:

• Toaster Oven Cleaning Hacks
• How to Clean and Organize Your Refrigerator
• Microwave Cleaning Hacks