Power Back On? How to Clean Your Fridge After a PG&E Shutoff

This week, PG&E shut off power to thousands of Bay Area homes because of fire weather. By Thursday, October 16, outages topped 11,000 customers in Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, and nearly 90,000 across California, with restoration expected Friday and Saturday for parts of the East Bay. (CBS San Francisco, October 16, 2026)

When the lights come back on, the first job in most homes is the kitchen: deciding what food is still safe and getting the fridge clean before you restock. Here is how to do both.

Step 1: Decide what to keep and what to toss

Federal guidance is simple:

• An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours. (Ready.gov)
• Throw away perishable food, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers, that has been above 40°F for two hours or more. (Ready.gov)
• A full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours (about 24 hours if half full) if the door stays closed. Food that still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below can be refrozen. (USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service)
• Toss anything with an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out. Never taste food to check it.

Step 2: Empty and clean the fridge

Thawed and spoiled food leaves drips, residue and smells behind. A full clean takes about 30 to 45 minutes:

1. Empty everything. Bag spoiled food right away and take it outside so the smell does not spread.
2. Take out shelves and drawers. Let glass shelves reach room temperature before washing so they do not crack, then wash them in warm, soapy water.
3. Wipe the inside with a solution of about 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. It cleans and helps remove odors without leaving a chemical smell near food.
4. Clean the door seals. Crumbs and spills collect in the folds, and that is often where lingering smells come from.
5. Sanitize surfaces where raw meat or fish juices dripped, following the directions on a food-safe sanitizer.
6. Dry everything with a clean towel and leave the door open for a few minutes before putting the shelves back.

Step 3: Deal with lingering smells

If the fridge still smells after cleaning, place an open box of baking soda or a tray of fresh coffee grounds inside for a day or two. If a strong smell remains, it usually means residue is still hiding in a drawer track, the door seal or the drip area, so clean those again.

Step 4: The rest of the kitchen

• Wipe the counters where you sorted the food, and the handles everyone touched.
• Check the freezer floor and the area under the fridge for melted water.
• Empty and wash the trash bin if spoiled food went in it.
• Reset the clocks on the oven and microwave, and check that the fridge is back to 40°F or below before restocking.

Ready for the next shutoff

Bay Area fire weather often comes in waves, and the forecast this week also points to the first storm of the season. Keep a cooler and ice packs handy, keep the freezer full (full freezers stay cold longer), and stick a list of what is in the freezer on the door so you do not have to open it during an outage.

Other guides for Bay Area homes: how to clean your home after a smoke day and deep cleaning vs regular cleaning.

This article is general information. For food safety questions, follow USDA and local public health guidance.

Frequently asked questions

How long is food safe in the fridge without power?

About four hours if the door stays closed. Perishable food that has been above 40°F for two hours or more should be thrown away.

How do I get the smell out of my fridge after a power outage?

Remove all spoiled food, wash shelves and drawers in warm soapy water, wipe the inside and door seals with baking soda and water, dry it well, and leave an open box of baking soda inside for a day or two.

Can I refreeze food after a power outage?

Food that still has ice crystals or has stayed at 40°F or below can usually be refrozen, though quality may drop. When in doubt, throw it out.