Housekeeping · Kitchen hygiene

Clean refrigerator spills, then rinse and dry

Wipe refrigerator spills promptly, clean with mild soapy water, then rinse and dry to reduce contamination.

AI-edited · Human admin approved

Wikimedia Commons · Photograph: Satirdan kahraman / Wikimedia Commons. CC0 1.0 Universal. Original, unmodified. · CC0 1.0 Universal ↗

Food spills in a refrigerator can spread contamination to stored items. USDA and FDA guidance recommends prompt cleanup with warm soapy water, followed by rinsing. Keep perishable foods chilled and follow appliance instructions before handling glass shelves.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

0 / 6 done

Locate the leak and inspect nearby food packages; dispose of food that may be unsafe due to contamination.
Keep perishable items chilled and move only the food needed to reach the dirty area.
Remove visible residue with disposable paper towels and discard them promptly.
Use a soft cloth and lukewarm soapy water as allowed by the appliance manual; never pour hot water onto a cold glass shelf.
Wipe away detergent with a separate clean damp cloth, then dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
Before returning food, check seals on containers; avoid solvents, abrasives or mixing cleaning chemicals.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

Further reading

You may also like

Six steps to rotate—not flip—a Sealy Posturepedic mattress

Six steps to clean Andersen sliding patio-door tracks and rollers

Six steps to reduce kitchen-sponge cross-contamination