Here's How Often You Should Actually Be Deep-Cleaning Refrigerator Drawers - Tasting Table

"Refrigerator drawers are always working, collecting sticky, pigmented leaks from berry cartons, questionable runoff from thawing shrimp, condensation from humidity settings, and cursed bags of forgotten greens breaking down into a fetid bisque. As the busiest, dampest quadrant of the fridge, they deserve more tending-to than a twice-a-year swipe. But how often should you clean your refrigerator, drawers included? A seasonal deep clean is a good routine to get into."

"Every three to four months, remove everything from the fridge and give yourself a clear runway. It's good to try for this when shelves are less full, so right before a big grocery restock or after finishing older jars and condiments. It's a chance to evaluate and toss jars of crusty curry and dubious dips and reset the space in a way that makes cooking easier."

"The primary job of a refrigerator is to slow the growth of bacteria and mold, but that doesn't mean it halts it. We all know this instinctively, because milk still sours, celery turns flaccid, and leftovers ... come alive, in a manner of speaking. The cold environment is just buying time. If a drawer looks grimy, smells off, or has visible residue, there's no need to wait for a calendar reminder; just clean it right then."

Refrigerator drawers collect spills, condensation, and decomposing produce, making them the dampest, busiest part of the fridge and prone to bacteria and mold. A quarterly deep clean—removing contents, washing drawers in warm, soapy water, and using vinegar or lemon for stubborn residue—keeps the fridge functioning and reduces odors. Unplugging is recommended for full wet scrubs to avoid electrical hazards, though removable drawers can be cleaned at the sink. Clean immediately whenever drawers look grimy, smell off, or show visible residue rather than waiting for a scheduled deep clean.

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