Ice makers are wet, cold, dark, and tied to your water supply. Mineral scale, mold, stale odors, and bacteria can build up on surfaces that touch ice you drink.
This applies to built-in refrigerator ice makers and standalone or portable countertop ice makers.
Does this affect you?
Use this if ice tastes stale, smells odd, looks cloudy, or the ice maker has not been cleaned in several months.
Safety and cleaner choices
- Turn off the ice maker before removing bins or trays.
- Shut off the water supply if you will work near the inlet line.
- For built-in units, unplug the refrigerator or turn off the ice maker before reaching near moving parts.
- Use food-safe cleaners such as white vinegar, citric acid, or dish soap.
- Do not use bleach or ammonia on parts that touch ice you will consume.
Built-in refrigerator ice maker
- Turn off the ice maker.
- Empty and discard old ice.
- Wash the ice bin with warm water and mild dish soap.
- Rinse and dry the bin fully.
- Wipe accessible ice maker surfaces with warm water and a little white vinegar.
- Wipe visible fill tubes or chutes if slimy film is present.
- Turn the ice maker back on.
- Discard the first one or two batches of ice.
Standalone or portable ice maker
- Unplug the machine.
- Empty ice and water from the reservoir.
- Add equal parts water and white vinegar, or a food-safe descaler.
- Run the self-clean or descale cycle if the model has one.
- If not, let the solution sit for 15 to 20 minutes and run a few discard cycles.
- Empty and rinse thoroughly.
- Run at least one plain-water cycle before using ice.
- Wash the scoop, lid, and exterior with warm soapy water.
Hard water may require cleaning every 1 to 2 months instead of every 3 to 6 months. Replace refrigerator water filters on schedule, often every 6 months. If you will be away for more than a week or two, turn off the ice maker and empty the bin so stale ice does not absorb freezer odors.
Sources
- Whirlpool – How to Clean Your Refrigerator Ice Maker (2025)
- GE Appliances – Ice Maker Cleaning and Maintenance (2025)
- NSF International – Food Safety Guidance for Ice Machines (2024)
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