How to Clean Your Refrigerator or Freezer

Non-Stainless Steel Surfaces – To effectively clean the outside of your appliance, wipe the surface with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Dry with a soft cloth. Do NOT use abrasive cleaners and cloths.

Stainless Steel Surfaces – To care for your stainless steel exterior, follow these steps:

1. Find the direction of the stainless steel grain, which can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Always wash and dry with the grain to avoid scratches.
2. Wash your appliance with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth. Dry thoroughly. Do NOT use abrasive cleaners, cloths, or cleaners with chlorine.
3. Condition your appliance with a stainless steel conditioner in the direction of the grain.

To learn more, watch the instructional video on the left. Click on the link below to purchase the Thermador Stainless Steel Conditioner.

Do NOT apply the conditioner to logos, control labels, black stainless steel, or appliance interiors.

Follow the steps below to reveal a clean and beautiful fridge.

1. Switch off the appliance.
2. Take out all the food and store them in a cool location.
3. Remove the drawers, shelves, and bins. For step-by-step instructions on removing these items, refer to the “How to Remove and Reinsert Refrigerator and Freezer Drawers, Shelves, and Bins” section of this page. All of these items can be washed with mild soapy water.
4. Clean the appliance interior with a soft cloth, lukewarm water, and mild soapy water.
- Do NOT use stainless steel conditioner on the interior of the appliance.
- Make sure the water does NOT run into the lights or through the drainage hole into the evaporation area.
5. Dry everything thoroughly with a soft cloth.
6. Only use water to wipe the door seal and dry thoroughly with a cloth. Using anything other than water, such as soap, to clean the seal can damage it.
7. Reinsert the drawers, shelves, and bins. For step-by-step instructions on reinserting these items, refer to the “How to Remove and Reinsert Refrigerator and Freezer Drawers, Shelves, and Bins” section of this page.
8. Switch the appliance back on and place the food back in.

To learn more, watch the instructional video on the right.

Learn how to adjust shelves, door bins, produce bins, and drawers by watching step-by-step videos for both built-in and freestanding refrigerators.

Watch video

Additional bins can be purchased in the Thermador Accessories Store. Use our model search tool located at the top of every page in our store to learn which bins to purchase for your appliance.

Purchase Bins

Follow the steps below if your refrigerator has lingering odors.

1. Clean the appliance thoroughly. Refer to the “How to Clean Your Refrigerator or Freezer’s Interior” section of this page for step-by-step instructions.
2. Seal strong-smelling food and clean all food packaging.
3. If odors persist after 24 hours of performing the first two steps, you should change the carbon air filter. Review your owner’s manual for information on how to replace them. Replacement filters can be purchased in the Thermador Accessories Store. Use our model search tool located at the top of every page in our store to learn which filter to purchase for your appliance.

Visit the Refrigeration FAQs page to see more cleaning, usage, and troubleshooting tips. For additional assistance, visit the Owner Support page or call Thermador Customer Support at 1-800-735-4328.