Discovering that your RV fridge has mold doesn’t have to ruin your camping fun. In this RV camping resource, we teach you how to keep your RV fridge from molding and offer some tips on preventing it from happening in the first place.
To stay healthy and have fresh food always ready at the campground, it’s vital that you keep your RV fridge clean and free from mold.
In order for your RV fridge to perform optimally, you need to take measures to keep it well-maintained and clean.
Why Do Molds Grow in an RV Fridge?
A common problem you can encounter with your RV fridge is molding.
Mold appears on your RV fridge due to rotten food. When the bacteria growing on spoiled food is exposed to moisture, mold grows and spreads across surfaces through the air.
RV Refrigerator Mold Prevention
Mold prevention does not have to be time-consuming and difficult. The following steps will help you keep your RV fridge in tip-top shape.
- Clean Out Your RV Refrigerator After Every Trip– After every trip, remove all remaining food from your RV fridge. Make sure that there is no food left that may eventually spoil.
- Clean surfaces and corners using a simple solution of Vinegar, Peroxide, or Diluted Bleach.
- Check your drip pans – Extra water may have collected in your drip pans. Remove its contents to ensure there is no source for moisture.
- Leave Your RV Fridge Open When Not In Use- When your RV fridge is not in use, leave the door open to allow air circulation. You can use a hook to keep the door open or leave it and place a towel or paper towel roll between the hinge to keep the door ajar.
- Perform Routine Maintenance on Your RV Fridge- Check for gaskets and seals and look for possible leaks. Have it repaired immediately when you spot any leaks.
How Do You Get Rid of Mold in a Camper Refrigerator?
Unfortunately, if you find your RV fridge already has mold, you will need to take the following steps to remove it. If the mold is not easily removed, it likely has been on the surface for quite some time and will require extra elbow grease.
- Be sure your RV Fridge is completely defrosted– Let your fridge thoroughly defrost and dry out before you begin cleaning.
- Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself– This is important to protect yourself so as not to breathe in or touch your face with the mold spores or the chemicals you will be using.
- Remove the Shelves and Drawers– Completely remove all the shelves and drawers in your fridge and soak them in a large container or sink with a cleaning solution.
- Thoroughly wash with soap and water– We first recommend you clean your fridge (and FREEZER) with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry.
- Spray With a Cleaning Solution- Mold that is starting to spread in your RV fridge can be removed by spraying with a simple vinegar solution and water or vinegar diluted with peroxide. (See recommended solutions below)
- Wipe down the surface with a cloth– Thoroughly wipe down the sprayed surface with a cloth to remove the mold.
- Scrub with a Bleach Solution– If you find the mold is not easily removed with a simple solution, you may need to soak and scrub the surfaces with a bleach solution. (Recipe below)
- Thoroughly clean all the gaskets and hard to reach surfaces
- Do a final inspection– After washing the RV fridge, wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth and inspect it again for parts that may have leftover mold.
- Let it dry – You must leave the fridge to dry after completing this process. Dry it out with a dry microfiber cloth, let it sit open for at least 12 hours, and then clean again with soap and water or vinegar to ensure all chemical residue has been removed.
Cleaning Solutions To Remove Mold From an RV Fridge
Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and use it directly on your RV fridge surface. You do not need to dilute the vinegar.
Another effective option is hydrogen peroxide which is also effective when you do not have a bleach cleaner. No need to dilute hydrogen peroxide. Just use it directly on your RV fridge surfaces.
1. Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water.
2. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spread it onto surfaces inside the refrigerator.
3. Wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth.
4. Let the fridge completely dry before putting food back in.
If you prefer to use something you don't have to mix, but that will be as effective at removing mold from your RV fridge, we recommend Concrobum Mold Control.
Tea tree oil can prevent spiders away and kills off the fungus that starts to sprout on surfaces. Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil to your spray bottle with water.
Grapefruit seed extract can prevent and kill molds. Mix 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with two cups of water and pour it into a spray bottle.
Getting rid of molds in your RV fridge saves you from buying a new unit. We hope you learned something about how to keep your RV fridge from molding so you can enjoy a healthy and happy time at the campground this year.
Download Your FREE RV Camping Menu Planner!
Related RV Camping Resources
