A fridge is cold, but it isn’t too cold for mold. Spills, forgotten leftovers and moisture in the door seal give it plenty to work with. It’s especially common after a power outage or hurricane, or when a fridge has been unplugged with the door shut.
Where Mold Grows in a Refrigerator
- The rubber door gasket, especially in the folds
- Crisper drawers and under shelves where spills collect
- The water dispenser and ice maker area
- The drip pan under the fridge, which collects defrost water
How to Clean Mold Out of a Fridge
- Throw out moldy food. Follow USDA food safety guidance; most soft foods with mold should be tossed.
- Empty the fridge and put food in a cooler while you work.
- Remove shelves and drawers and wash them in warm, soapy water. Let glass shelves warm to room temperature first so they don’t crack.
- Wipe the inside with warm water and dish soap, or a mix of water and baking soda. Use food-safe cleaners only.
- Scrub the door gasket with an old toothbrush and soapy water, getting into the folds.
- Dry everything before putting it back.
Check your owner’s manual for the drip pan, water filter and ice maker. Many drip pans slide out from the front once you remove the bottom grille.
After a Hurricane or Power Outage
A fridge that sat closed and warm for days can grow heavy mold and hold strong odors. Clean it thoroughly as above and leave it open to air out. If mold or odors remain after a deep clean, or the insulation inside the door seems affected, replacing it may be the safer call. Our hurricane cleanup checklist covers the rest of the house.
Mold Behind or Under the Fridge
If you pull the fridge out and find mold on the wall or floor, the most common cause is a leaking ice maker or water line, or an overflowing drip pan. Signs include warped flooring, swollen baseboards or a musty smell in the kitchen. That’s moisture getting into the floor and wall, which needs more than a wipe-down. See mold under the kitchen sink and how to spot hidden water damage.
Free Visual Inspection in South Florida
If your fridge water line has been leaking, FL Cleanup offers a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera across South Florida, and handles licensed mold remediation and drying. We answer 24/7, and hablamos español. Call 877-224-2532 or request a free visual inspection online.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
