Tips on how to clean your refrigerator effectively

Guide: our top 5 tips on how to clean your fridge properly 

• Clean your refrigerator about every four weeks

• Pack any strong-smelling foods in storage boxes or vacuum-seal them 

• Clean your fridge with soft cleaning cloths and a pH-neutral, all-purpose cleaner and some water 

• Change the odour filter once a year 

• Empty the fridge completely before cleaning it and unplug it from the power supply 

How to ensure a hygienically clean fridge 

Even though the temperatures in our refrigeration and freezing systems are very low, micro-organisms can still spread here. A little blob here and some residue there often goes completely unnoticed. You should therefore give your fridge a thorough clean every four weeks or so, wiping it through from top to bottom.  

In just a few simple steps, you can make sure that everything is kept as clean and tidy as possible when you put items away in your fridge: for example, pack any strong-smelling foods in storage boxes or vacuum-seal any food that you aren’t planning to use straight away. If any liquid leaks out, it’s best to clean it immediately with some water, detergent and a soft cloth. 

The BORA odour filter  

The odour filter in BORA refrigeration systems effectively reduces food odours. The activated charcoal filter is located above the fan. Furthermore, the sophisticated air circulation concept maintains a stable temperature throughout the refrigerator’s interior.  

The convection cooling in the BORA Cool ensures optimum air quality and air circulation in the interior, which stops odours from being transferred and prevents stored food from drying out. To keep odours at bay, change your refrigerator’s odour filter once a year or when a filter change is indicated on the display.  

How to clean and care for refrigeration and freezing systems 

Before cleaning and caring for your refrigerator, empty it completely and unplug it from the power supply. In the meantime, store your refrigerated goods in the coolest possible place until you can put them away again after cleaning. Leave your refrigerator door open for as long as it is switched off to avoid any unpleasant odours. 

Thanks to our No Frost technology, the freezer compartments of the BORA refrigeration and freezing systems don’t need to be defrosted. The best way to clean the plastic and metal surfaces on the inside of your fridge is by wiping them with a soft, clean cloth, some lukewarm water and some washing-up liquid or pH-neutral all-purpose cleaner. We recommend using a cotton bud to remove any deposits that build up in the drain hole.  

If you happen to spill anything, make sure that no liquids get into the defrost water tray and clean the drain hole on the back panel above the BORA Fresh zero compartment with some water and detergent. When cleaning spillages, make sure that the cleaning water doesn’t get into the drainage channel, ventilation grille or electric components. 

BORA refrigeration systems have a special Cleaning function to help you clean your refrigerator effectively. When activated, the light comes on and the cooling function and door alarm are disabled for one hour maximum so that you have enough time for cleaning. You can end the function manually at any time if you finish cleaning earlier. The Cleaning function does not affect the freezer compartments.  

To clean the Ice Maker there is also a special Tube Clean function in addition to the manual cleaning option. To use the Tube Clean function, empty the drawer then put it back into place. Activate the Ice Maker and the Tube Clean function (maximum duration: 60 minutes).    

• Put the ice cube container in the drawer beneath the Ice Maker 

• Activate the Tube Clean function  

• Remove the Ice Maker drawer and the ice cube container 

• Clean the drawer and container with some warm water and washing-up liquid 

• Put the drawer and container back in place 

• The ice cube production will start automatically 

• Discard the ice cubes produced 24 hours after the first ice cube production 

An overview of top fridge cleaning tips: 

• Make sure that cleaning water doesn’t get into the drainage channel, ventilation grille or electric components 

• Take care not to damage or remove the nameplate on the inside of the refrigerator 

• Avoid using any harsh, highly concentrated or abrasive cleaning agents containing sand, chloride or acids 

• Don’t use abrasive or scratchy sponges or wire wool 

• Don’t use steam cleaners 

• Use the appliance’s Cleaning function  

How to clean and care for your refrigerator accessories 

Thanks to the omission of ornamental trims, BORA ensures that its refrigeration and freezing systems can be cleaned as easily and effectively as possible. You should wash the following elements by hand with a soft cloth, water and detergent: 

• Fresh zero trays and pull-out shelves 

• Multi-tray incl. holding bars 

• Bottle and tinned foods storage shelves 

• Silicone mats and multi-pad 

• Freezer compartments 

• Ice cube container 

• Parting layer 

• Accessories: storage boxes, sorting tubs, refrigerator storage tray  

The glass plates and the ice cube tongs (only available in the BORA Cool Combi with water connection and the BORA Freeze) are dishwasher-safe (up to 60°C). 

Wipe the telescopic rails with a damp cloth without removing the grease from the raceways, as this ensures that the rails slide in and out smoothly. Clean the wooden BORA serving board with a soft sponge, warm water and mild detergent. Make sure that you wet both sides so that the board doesn’t warp. Wipe it with a tea towel, place it upright and leave it to air dry.  

Tips on how to look after your serving board: 

• Never clean the serving board in the dishwasher 

• Don’t use it for chopping food 

• Keep it dry 

• After cleaning, dry it immediately 

• Do not expose it to any artificial heat sources 

• Warpage can be corrected by storing it upside down 

• To protect the wood in the long term, treat the serving board with vegetable-based cooking oil (preferably olive oil) every 2 to 3 months 

What to do once you’ve finished cleaning your refrigeration and freezing system 

Once you’ve finished cleaning your refrigerator and its accessories, dry any areas that are still damp with a cotton cloth. Close the appliance and switch it back on. Activate the Power Cool function so that you can store your chilled food optimally in next to no time. Once the refrigerator has reached the right temperature (approx. 5°C), you can tidy your food away again. Click here for more info on the best way to store food so that it stays fresh for as long as possible.