How to Clean Your Freezer Properly (and How Often to Do It), According to Experts

Here, we’ve consulted food safety experts to share their insights on the ideal cleaning frequency and the most effective ways to keep your freezer bacteria-free. Once you’ve given it a deep clean, you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that your food will stay fresh and your freezer will run efficiently.

How long does food last in the freezer?

According to the USDA, frozen foods will remain safe indefinitely if properly frozen, but the length of time you store these foods in the freezer could affect their quality. Registered dietitian and food safety expert Carrie Gabriel, RD, tells us, "Meats like bacon, sausage, beef, and poultry are good in the freezer [for] an average of three to four months. Soups and stews are good in the freezer [for] an average of two to three months."

The key here is making sure that the foods are properly frozen in the first place. According to Ashley Hawk, RD, some of the tell-tale signs that something has not been frozen correctly, and therefore, has possible signs of contamination include:

• Pieces of meat turning gray or losing their color
• Bright vegetables looking dull
• Food feeling sticky
• Evidence of spills
• Food is partially thawed

Proper freezer storage requires sealing food in an airtight container and freezing it quickly. In general, “it is best to toss these goods after six months, especially if an item has freezer burn or ice crystals surrounding it. It is likely the taste and texture of the food will be unpleasant," Gabriel says.

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How often should you clean your freezer?

While discarding old food is one crucial part of maintaining a clean freezer, it’s also important to frequently give the whole thing a good scrub. Turns out, freezers aren't just magical ice boxes that never need attention—they actually appreciate a little TLC. So how often do we need to add this task to our to-do list? “A weekly quick wipe down, involving cleaning the shelves and corners to prevent bacteria buildup is ideal, but you really only need a deep clean once a year,” Gabriel says.

However, you may need to deep clean your freezer more often. “If you experience power outages or major food spills. Definitely check your refrigerator manual to see if your model requires more regular cleaning," Gabriel explains.

How to clean a freezer properly

So how exactly are you supposed to deep clean a freezer? Hawk walks us through this fairly simple, three-step process.

1. Remove food and shelves

Start by unplugging the freezer to stop it from running. Remove all the food items from the freezer, placing perishable items in a cooler or another freezer to keep them cold while you are cleaning. If your freezer has a significant buildup of ice, leave the door open and allow the ice to melt.

2. Clean with multipurpose cleaner spray

Once the ice has melted, wipe up the water with towels. Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of warm water and dish soap. Using a sponge, thoroughly wipe down all surfaces, including shelves, drawers, and the freezer walls. After cleaning, rinse all surfaces with clean water, and then dry everything with a clean towel.

3. Toss old food before restocking

Before turning the freezer back on, ensure all surfaces are completely dry to prevent new ice from forming. Plug the freezer back in and sort through your frozen items, discarding anything expired or freezer-burned. When restocking the food, be sure to label it with the date it was first frozen. This will help you keep track of the foods’ freshness and reduce the overdue buildup of outdated items.