How To Clean a Walk-In Freezer
Keeping your commercial walk-in freezer clean makes good business sense. Freezer units that are well maintained run more efficiently and provide added safety for the employees who use them. Follow the steps below to learn how to properly clean a walk-in freezer and avoid a costly meltdown at your facility.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Microfiber cloths / cleaning cloths
- Nyco® Clean Freeze Freezer Cleaner
- Nyco® Coil Cleaner
- Stiff bristle brush
- Broom
- Vacuum
- Auto scrubber or mop and bucket
Directions to Clean a Walk-In Freezer
- Wear proper PPE (safety glasses and gloves).
- Gather all needed materials and cleaning solutions.
- Depending on the size of your walk-in freezer, you may want to consider cleaning it in smaller sections.
- Use a stiff bristle brush to loosen dirt and dust from interior fan units. Vacuum to remove lingering debris.
- Sweep or vacuum freezer floor of any loose debris.
- Using microfiber or other cleaning cloths, wipe down the interior of your walk-in freezer with Nyco® Clean Freeze Freezer Cleaner. This cleaner is ready-to-use and melts ice buildup on freezer walls, shelving units and floors without freezing.
- Clean walk-in freezer floors with Clean Freeze Freezer Cleaner in an auto scrubber or with a mop and bucket for smaller walk-ins. Clean Freeze is a no-rinse cleaning agent and will not flash-freeze like water and other cleaners.
- Wipe down all door gaskets with Clean Freeze, taking care to remove any mold or mildew.
- Clean exterior evaporator and condenser coils and fan units with Nyco® Coil Cleaner, to eliminate added soils, dirt and oxidation. This will improve airflow and make your unit run more efficiently. Note: Do not use Coil Cleaner on interior units since it needs to be rinsed with water.
- Finish up by mopping the floor around freezer entrances.
For Optimal Walk-in Freezer Performance
If you want consistently cold temps with fewer repair surprises, it’s not enough just to clean a walk-in freezer; ongoing maintenance is important too. Keep your unit in top shape by following the expert suggestions below.
Doors − Close freezer doors when not in use. Doors that are propped open can make your equipment work harder to keep food cold, costing you money. Check door sweeps and gaskets for wear and make sure they seal tightly. Inspect door hinges quarterly and lubricate as needed (unless self-lubricating).
| PRO TIP: Monitor freezer temperature daily. Big Fluctuations could mean an issue needs to be addressed. |
Floors − Sweep and mop floors regularly with Clean Freeze Freezer Cleaner to remove food or debris that can spoil or attract pests. Take care of freezer spills with Clean Freeze as soon as they happen − liquids can freeze quickly, potentially causing slips-and fall accidents.
| PRO TIP: Keep freezer aisles clean and boxes neatly stacked. Good organization will save time searching for products and allow you to take quick inventory. |
Lights − Freezer lights produce heat, so turn off when not in use. Adding a pilot light to your switch can indicate if inside lights are on without the need to open the door and let warm air in.
Fans and Condensers – Keep outside units free of plant growth, trash or anything that could impede airflow. Check for damage or decay in the insulation on suction lines between the condensing unit and evaporator coils. Coils may need to be cleaned more often if they are located outside, so inspect regularly. Examine fan motors to ensure they are running at optimal speed.
| PRO TIP: Don’t stack food or boxes too close to the thermostat sensing bulb. Closely placed items can give a false temperature reading. |
Drain lines − Have freezer drain lines cleaned and inspected annually by a professional. Clogged lines can make your unit run less efficiently.
Electrical − Loose wires and faulty connections can be an energy drain. Have an electrician inspect for any needed repairs that could be costing you money.
It isn’t complicated to clean a walk-in freezer. A little know-how with the right cleaning and maintenance products goes a long way toward keeping your investment working efficiently with a longer life span. Regularly scheduled maintenance and inspections will save you money in the long run and help you glide through any problems that may arise.
For more information on Nyco® Clean Freeze or Coil Cleaner, call 800-752-4754 or email us.
