Your fridge has a drip tray at the back (or front) that catches water from the defrost cycle, stopping it from pooling on your kitchen floor. Most people don’t know it exists. Fewer still clean it. Left alone, it fills with stagnant water, mould, and bacteria, and that’s usually where the smell is coming from. Cleaning the drip tray at the back of your fridge is straightforward once you know where it is and how to reach it. This guide walks you through the whole process, step by step.
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TL;DR
The fridge drip tray collects water from the defrost cycle and sits at the front or rear of the appliance.
Clean the drip tray at least once every three months to prevent mould and unpleasant odours.
Removable trays can be taken out and scrubbed; non-removable trays must be cleaned in place using a flexible claw grabber.
A solution of 1 part bleach to 2 parts water is the most effective cleaner; white vinegar works as an alternative.
Always dry the tray completely before refitting it, or mould will return quickly.
Not sure where the drip tray is on your fridge? Start with the manual. If you don’t have it, check the manufacturer’s website. Most fridge drip trays are fitted at the front (behind the kick panel at the bottom) or at the rear of the appliance near the compressor. The manual will also tell you whether yours is removable, which makes a real difference to how you clean it.
Brand placement tends to follow a pattern. Beko and Hotpoint fridges typically have a front-access tray behind a removable kick panel. Many Samsung and LG models position the tray at the rear, near the compressor. If you have a different make, checking the support section of the manufacturer’s website is the fastest way to confirm.
Safety first
Before accessing the drip tray, disconnect your fridge from the power supply and turn off the water supply if your model has a water or ice dispenser. This removes any risk of electric shock or a leak while you work.
If you have food in the fridge, move anything perishable to a cool bag or another fridge while you work.
For a front-mounted tray, remove the kick panel at the base of the fridge. On most models you can do this by sliding a putty knife between the appliance and the kick panel itself, then easing it away. Once the panel is off, locate the tray and try to pull it out gently. You will need a screwdriver or hex wrench to remove the screws or bolts beforehand. Keep them together somewhere safe so nothing gets lost.
For a rear-mounted tray, unscrew the back panel using a screwdriver or hex wrench. The tray will usually sit just above or beside the compressor. Again, keep all fixings together.
If the tray resists when you try to pull it out, don’t force it. Some trays are fixed in place by design. If it won’t come out without real effort, treat it as non-removable and follow the method below.
How to clean a removable fridge drip pan
How to clean the drip tray at the back of your fridge once it has been removed from the appliance.
Remove any standing water
There usually won’t be much left, as heat from the compressor evaporates most of it. If there is water in the tray, pour it down the sink or use a wet and dry vacuum to draw it out before you move on.
Apply a cleaning solution
Mix 1 part bleach with 2 parts water and spray or pour it over the entire surface of the drip tray. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so it can break down the grime and kill any mould. If you prefer not to use bleach, white vinegar works as a practical alternative.
Scrub away grime and mould
Work a cleaning brush or scourer over the surface, paying attention to any corners or edges where mould tends to collect. The bleach solution will have loosened most of it, so a firm scrub should clear it.
Wipe the tray down
Once you’ve scrubbed off the buildup, wipe the tray thoroughly with paper towels or a cleaning cloth to remove the loosened residue.
Rinse with warm water
Rinse the tray well under warm running water to wash away all traces of the cleaning solution and any remaining residue.
Dry completely before refitting
Wipe the tray dry with a clean cloth, or leave it to air-dry for around 30 minutes. This step matters. If you refit a wet tray, mould will start growing again almost immediately, and the smell will return.
Bleach warning
Never mix bleach with any other cleaning product. Combining bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other household cleaners can produce harmful fumes. Use bleach on its own, diluted only with water.
Cleaning a non-removable drip pan
This one takes a bit more patience. Since you can’t take the tray out, you’ll be cleaning it in place. A flexible claw grabber is the most useful tool here. Wrap a damp cleaning wipe around the claw head, lower it into the tray, and work it back and forth to lift the grime, dirt, and mould. Check the wipe after a minute or so and swap it out when it’s dirty. Keep going until a fresh wipe comes out clean.
For a more thorough clean, use a turkey baster or large syringe to flush a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 2 parts water) into the tray. Leave it to sit for a couple of minutes, then use paper towels attached to the claw to absorb the liquid and lift the residue. Repeat as needed.
If the tray still smells between cleans, place a small amount of bicarbonate of soda nearby. It won’t clean the tray, but it will help neutralise lingering odours until the next time you clean it.
Leave it to the professional cleaning specialists
If you’d rather hand it off, Fantastic Services offers professional fridge cleaning that covers the full appliance, including interior shelving, door seals, and exterior surfaces. Book a clean and free up your time for something better.
Too busy to clean your fridge?
We at Fantastic Services can take care of your chore for you!
Clean the drip tray at least once every three months. In warmer rooms or high-humidity environments, you may need to do it more often. A good sign that it needs attention sooner is if your fridge starts to smell despite the interior being clean, since the drip tray is usually the source.
Why does my fridge drip tray smell?
The tray sits in a warm, damp spot near the compressor, which makes it an ideal environment for bacteria and mould to grow. Over time, that biological buildup produces an unpleasant odour that can spread into the rest of the fridge. Regular cleaning removes the source of the smell rather than just masking it.
Can I use any cleaning product on a fridge drip tray?
Stick to a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 2 parts water) or white vinegar. Avoid abrasive scourers on plastic trays, as they create fine scratches where bacteria can embed and become harder to clean out. Never mix bleach with any other product, including vinegar, as the combination produces harmful fumes.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the drip tray at the back of your fridge is one of those jobs that takes fifteen minutes but makes a real difference. Once you’ve located yours and worked out whether it’s removable, the actual cleaning is simple. The harder part is remembering to do it regularly. Set a reminder every three months and the job never has a chance to become a bigger one.
