Let’s face it, as a general rule, many people have become rather diligent about occasionally cleaning the interior of their refrigerators. Shelves, drawers and door seals may receive a bit of an occasional cleaning, but there is one area of your refrigerator which typically receives very little cleaning and is one of the most frequently used areas of your kitchen.
That area is the refrigerator handle. Whether your hands are clean or covered in flour, or whether you’ve just sliced up an onion and are carrying it in your hand, you’re touching the handle on your refrigerator daily, possibly dozens of times a day. In my household, the handle on the refrigerator is essentially the “Grand Central” station for germs. If you haven’t ever taken the time to thoroughly clean your refrigerator handle, then believe me, it needs a serious cleaning. Grease, bacteria, and unexplainable sticky substances tend to accumulate on the handle of your refrigerator.
So let me explain why it’s so important to properly clean the handle of your refrigerator, provide you with step-by-step instructions to thoroughly clean it and give you tips on how to keep it from becoming dirty again.
The Under-Cleaned Area: The Refrigerator Handle
Yes, the handle on your refrigerator. Maybe you have one of those new, recessed grip style refrigerator handles that look modern and sleek, but still manage to attract dirt and grime. Either way, it’s the same problem. You touch the handle on your refrigerator constantly and since it’s not usually covered in crumbs or marinara sauce, it tends to get overlooked during your next cleaning frenzy.
However, let me make one thing clear: if the handle on your refrigerator was a faucet handle or a light switch, you would probably wash it periodically, wouldn’t you? Therefore, it’s time to treat it with the same respect.
Why the Fridge Handle Becomes So Dirty
Now, here’s the ugly truth: the handle on your refrigerator is one of the highest-risk germ hotspots in your kitchen. How? Well, it’s a high-touch point, which means that germs tend to spread easily and your hands, while they get washed numerous times per day, aren’t washing your refrigerator handle nearly as often.
Think about how you cook and prepare meals. When you open your refrigerator while preparing a meal, you likely do so with greasy, food-filled hands, perhaps after touching raw meat or kneading dough. All of those oils and residue along with those microscopic bacteria you can’t see will inevitably travel to the handle on your refrigerator. With time, these elements create a sticky film which serves as a welcome mat for even more dirt and grime.
Additionally, the environment in your kitchen contributes to the griminess of your refrigerator handle. It is a warm, moist space filled with airborne food particles. These conditions create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and other unwanted germs to thrive.
Lastly, if you neglect your refrigerator handle for too long, you might begin to notice unpleasant odors emanating from the area around the door seals, a dull appearance on your stainless steel, or that annoying sensation when your fingers feel a bit “sticky.” Neither of these options is pleasant.
Signs Your Handle Needs a Deep Cleaning
To determine if it is time to address the issue of your refrigerator handle being dirty, ask yourself the following questions:
Does it feel greasy or sticky even after you’ve wiped it clean?
Do you continue to see black smudges or fingerprints that seem to come back no matter how many times you clean it?
Is the plastic or paint on your handle beginning to yellow?
Does your stainless steel appear streaked or clouded?
Are grime and debris collecting in the grooves or seams on your refrigerator handle?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, rest assured that cleaning your refrigerator handle is an easy process.
Cleaning a Refrigerator Handle
You’ll be happy to learn that you don’t need a multitude of specialized cleaning products to properly clean your refrigerator handle. The following steps are proven effective methods to clean your refrigerator handle.
Step #1 Dry Wipe First – Simply use a dry cloth to quickly wipe away any crumbs or dust that has accumulated on your refrigerator handle.
Step #2 Soap and Water Scrub – Dampen a microfiber cloth using warm water and mild dish soap. Wipe the entire handle of your refrigerator, including the underside of the handle where the majority of dirt tends to hide.
Step #3 Detail the Crevices – To effectively clean the seams and grooves on your refrigerator handle, use a cotton swab or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently push debris out of the corners of your refrigerator handle.
Step #4 Disinfect – Once you have cleaned your refrigerator handle, you should disinfect it. You can either use a kitchen-safe disinfectant spray or create your own solution of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. Always apply your disinfectant to a cloth and not directly onto the surface of your refrigerator.
Step #5 Final Wipe and Dry – After cleaning your refrigerator handle, rinse the handle with a clean, damp cloth and then dry it completely with a clean towel to prevent any remaining soap residue from attracting additional dirt and grime.
Important Safety Considerations – Do not use abrasive materials or chemicals to clean the surface of your refrigerator handle as they could potentially damage the finish. Bleach should only be used on your refrigerator handle if it is specifically recommended by your refrigerator manufacturer (especially if your refrigerator has a stainless steel finish).
Material-Specific Tips
As previously mentioned, some finishes require special consideration when cleaning them. Here are a few examples:
Refrigerator Handles Made From Stainless Steel: Always wipe your stainless steel refrigerator handle in the direction of the grain to avoid creating unsightly streaks. Additionally, once you have finished cleaning your stainless steel refrigerator handle, you can lightly apply a small amount of mineral oil to the finish with a soft cloth to restore its original shine. This is entirely optional, but a great way to show your refrigerator a little extra TLC.
Handles Made from Plastic or Painted Surfaces: Be gentle when cleaning your refrigerator handle made from plastic or painted surfaces. If your paint is looking worn or faded, then it is probably wise to avoid using disinfectants containing alcohol.
Textured or Recessed Grip Handles: Using a toothbrush or cotton swab to clean the grooves of a textured or recessed grip style refrigerator handle is the most effective method of removing debris.
How Often Should You Clean Your Fridge Handle?
Cleaning your refrigerator handle shouldn’t be a chore. Simply follow this simple rule-of-thumb:
Clean the handle on your refrigerator weekly
Disinfect the handle on your refrigerator every week or two
Deep clean the handle on your refrigerator at least once a month (cleaning frequency will depend upon your family size, number of roommates and how often you’re cooking)
Bonus: Overlooked Areas of Your Fridge
While you’re cleaning your refrigerator handle, consider taking a few minutes to clean these often-overlooked areas of your refrigerator:
Door Gasket Edge and Seal Edges
Top of the Refrigerator (a.k.a. dust collector)
Rail Under Crisper Drawer
Buttons on Ice/Water Dispenser
Vents on the Back of the Refrigerator
None of these areas are glamorous, but none of them want to be coated with mystery goo.
If You Clean Only One Thing Today, Clean That Handle!
The handle on your refrigerator is an area that you might not think about until you start thinking about it. It’s touched thousands of times each year, cleaned hundreds of times, and is only going to take you approximately 5 minutes to clean. Cleaning your refrigerator handle immediately improves your overall cleanliness and simply feels better.
Next time you go to retrieve that gallon of milk, take a moment to assess whether your refrigerator handle is… kind of gross. If it is? Then you now know exactly how to clean it.
