How To Clean Your Freezer Without Turning It Off

Cleaning your freezer is a long, arduous task. The process of defrosting alone can take 30 minutes up to an hour or more. Because of this, you might have considered looking for ways to clean your freezer without turning it off to make the process quicker. You might be concerned that cleaning your freezer without pressing the off button might take too long and subsequently increase your electric bill. Don’t worry, because we found the best and quickest way to clean the freezer without closing it.

The most efficient way to clean your freezer without turning it off follows a series of steps. They are as follows:

• First, prepare your cleaning solution and other materials.
• Place towels around the freezer.
• Empty the freezer.
• Wipe the freezer with a warm cloth.
• Clean the freezer using the solution.
• Dry the freezer using a clean piece of cloth.
• After cleaning, return the food products.

If you follow these steps as they are, you will be able to clean your freezer in just a few minutes. However, you might be wondering if this is the best way to clean your freezer. You might also be wondering if you can apply the same process for walk-in freezer floors. We have consulted the professionals, so continue reading to find the answers that will make your problems melt away.

Can I clean my freezer without unplugging it?

Cleaning your freezer without turning it off or unplugging it may feel wrong at first, but it is possible. Doing the following steps in order can help you clean up your freezer in no time: 

Prepare Your Materials

Preparing your materials beforehand will reduce the time it takes to clean the freezer. Prepare a sponge or washcloth, towels and rags for the floor, rubber gloves, and the cleaning solution. You can use one part water and one part vinegar, diluted bleach, or an all-purpose cleaner.

You will also need hot, soapy water. Place the hot water and the cleaning solution in different containers. 

Place Towels Around The Freezer

Melted ice can be a slipping hazard. Placing towels or rags around the freezer will absorb all the water that drips off the freezer and can reduce the risk of accidents occurring.

Empty The Freezer

After preparing your materials, you can now empty your freezer. Place your frozen products inside the refrigerator, an ice-filled cooler, or any container lined with insulating materials. Properly storing the products can keep them from melting to room temperature and spoiling.

You should also remove the freezer shelves, drawers, and other accessories and put them in the sink. You can wash them later.

Wipe The Freezer With A Warm Cloth

Now that all products are out of the way, you can proceed with the cleaning process. Take your hot, soapy water and dip a washcloth or a sponge in it. Using the sponge, wipe the insides gently to melt the ice. In doing so, you are making the frost easier to remove.

If you are able to remove huge chunks of ice, you can throw them in the sink. 

You can also use hot water only. Place the hot water in a bowl or pot and place it on the bottom-most part of the freezer, as seen in the following video:

Clean The Freezer Using The Cleaning Solution

Now that all the ice and frost are gone, you can begin cleaning your freezer with a washcloth and sponge and the cleaning solution. Dip your sponge into the solution, or spray the solution directly into the freezer. Begin wiping the insides of your freezer until all the stains are gone.

For persistent stains, you can let the water and vinegar solution sit on them for a few minutes. Afterward, you can easily wipe them off. Remember to be gentle with your freezer since any forceful action can easily break it.

Dry The Freezer

After removing all the stains, you can wipe the freezer with a clean washcloth to dry. This step ensures that no ice will accumulate quickly due to the cleaning solution.

Return The Food Products

Now that your freezer is completely clean, close the freezer door and let it sit for around 15 minutes. Letting the freezer sit allows it to reach freezing temperatures before putting in the food products.

As you wait, you can clean the freezer shelves, drawers, and other accessories you left in the sink. You can wash them with a sponge and some dish soap. Afterward, dry them with a clean piece of cloth.

Once the freezer is cold enough, you can return the shelves, drawers, and frozen food products. Afterward, do not forget to clean the towels and rags on the floor and the container you put the frozen products in. All in all, the entire cleaning process can be finished in around 30 minutes.

What is the best way to clean a freezer?

The best way to clean a freezer is very similar to cleaning it without turning it off. This method is the best because it saves electricity completely and allows you to do a deeper clean and sanitize your freezer completely.

Firstly, place towels or rags around the freezer to avoid making the floor wet and prevent slipping. Turn the freezer off and empty out the contents into a cooler filled with ice.

Remove all the shelves, drawers, and other accessories and wash them in the sink. You can wash them just like dishes: using water, a sponge, and dishwashing liquid.

You can turn on your freezer's defrost cycle to help melt and remove the ice. You can also use a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water to quickly get rid of the ice. 

Afterward, prepare a solution of one part water and one part vinegar. Once all the ice has melted and been removed, use a washcloth or a sponge dipped in the water and vinegar solution to remove stains and dirt inside the freezer. 

For tough, persistent stains, let the water and vinegar solution stay on the stain for a few minutes and wiping it afterward. 

The CDC says that you can use diluted bleach to sanitize your refrigerators and freezers after cleaning. Use 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach and dilute it in a gallon of water. Wipe the walls of the freezer with the solution.

Once you are done cleaning, dry the freezer using a piece of clean cloth. Plug the freezer back in and turn it on. After 15 minutes, you can return the food and all the accessories to the freezer. 

How To Remove Ice From The Freezer Without Defrosting

To remove ice from the freezer without defrosting it, you can follow the first few steps listed above in the first section. You should prepare your hot water, spatula or ice pick, and towels and rags.

Place your towels down on the floor so they can soak up the melted ice. Afterwards, remove all the food products and keep them in a cooler or in the fridge.

Place a bowl of hot water into the freezer and let the steam melt the ice. You can also use spatulas and ice picks, but remember to be gentle or else you may damage the freezer walls.

How to clean a freezer floor without turning it off?

When it comes to cleaning walk-in freezers, the process gets a little more complicated. First, prepare your items and equipment: personal protective equipment (goggles, rubber gloves, etc.), a vacuum, a stiff bristle brush, a mop, a broom, and rags.

Depending on the size of your freezer, you might want to consider cleaning it in sections. Use a stiff bristle brush to loosen up any dirt and debris build-up. Afterward, you can vacuum or sweep the loose debris and dirt that accumulated. 

You can then wipe the floors using a rag or a mop and a cleaning solution. There are numerous products specifically made for cleaning walk-in freezers. Water-based solutions may not be desirable for strong walk-in freezers because they might freeze quickly and become slipping hazards.

Afterward, once everything has been swept, vacuumed, and wiped, mop the floors around the freezer entrance.

In Closing

Cleaning your freezer without unplugging it or turning it off may seem inefficient. However, it is completely possible to do so quickly and effectively without the risk of increasing your electric bill dramatically. By following a series of simple steps, you can easily clean your freezer in less than 30 minutes.