Preparing to Clean

• Turn off the freezer's thermostat, then unplug the machine. Remove all food from the freezer and throw away anything that's freezer-burned or that's not going to be used. Take out any removable parts, such as the racks. Defrost the freezer if necessary. Scrape ice with a plastic spatula, or just put a bowl in the bottom of the freezer to catch the water as ice melts.
  
  

Spot Cleaning

• Wash the racks in the sink or dishwasher with dish soap and warm water. Spot clean the inside of the freezer with a dishrag to remove any obvious spills or messes.
  
  

Cleaning the Freezer

• There are several options for how to clean a freezer. You can fill a bucket with warm water and dish or laundry soap, or with water and vinegar. Vinegar will clean and kill bacteria and fungi. It will also help get rid of unpleasant freezer odors. Use a sponge or dishrag to wipe the entire inside of the freezer. If using soap, rinse afterwards with plain warm water.
  
  

Dry and Finish

• Either leave the freezer door open to air dry, or use a clean, dry towel to wipe down the inside of the freezer. Finish off by putting a box of baking soda in the freezer to deodorize, if desired.