How to Know If Your Ice Maker Needs to Be Cleaned

So, How Can You Really Tell If Your Ice Maker Needs a Clean? Sabrina Tretyakova, a Certified Cleaning Technician with Fortador in North Miami Beach, Florida, Says There Are Three Signs That It’s Time to Clean Your Ice Maker:

How to Check Your Ice Maker for Mold

Cleaning Your Ice Maker Is Also a Smart Way to Eliminate Exposure to Mold. Ice Makers Can Be Hotbeds for Mold Buildup, Says Michael Rubino, a Mold and Air Quality Expert and Founder of Homecleanse. “Grab a Flashlight and Thoroughly Look at Every Little Crack and Crevice of the Machine, Including Removable Parts, ” He Says. “Mold Growth Can Come in All Sorts of Shapes, Structures and Textures. Colors Include Green, Black, Grey, Pink, Red, Brown, White or Anything in Between. Texture Variations Include Slimy, Velvety, Powdery or Fluffy. ” Mold Can Also Cause Your Ice Maker to Smell Musty, Leading to Icky Ice. (Click Through to Discover Why You Should Never Mix Baking Soda with Bleach to Kill Mold and What to Use Instead.)

How to Clean Countertop Ice Maker

When Cleaning Your Countertop Ice Maker (Or Any Household Appliance, for That Matter), It Helps to Check the Manufacturer’s Instructions First. Don’t Have the Instructions Handy? Here’s How Tretyakova Recommends Cleaning It:

How to Clean Ice Maker in Fridge

You Can’t Beat the Convenience of an Ice Maker That’s Part of the Fridge! However, Figuring out How to Clean It Can It Can Be Difficult. Here Are Tretyakova’s Steps:

The Best Cleaning Products to Use on an Ice Maker

Instead of Using a Paper Towel, You May Want to Try Using a Gentle Microfiber Towel. “Microfiber Towels Come in Handy Because They Are 100 Times Better at Removing Small Particles Than Regular Rags, ” Says Rubino.

The Cleaning Products You *Shouldn’t* Use on an Ice Maker

Certain Cleaning Products Are Best Avoided for This Particular Job. “Don’t Use Bleach and Other Harsh Cleaning Products That Contain Harmful Chemicals, ” Says Rubino. “These Chemicals Can Go into the Ice, Pollute the Indoor Air Quality and Cause Adverse Health Reactions. ” the Last Thing You Want Is Ice That Makes You Sick! Take a Look at Your Cleaning Solution’s Label: If It Lists 2-Be (Butoxy Ethanol), Mea (Monoethanolamine), Dea (Diethanolamine) and/or Tea (Triethanolamine) in the Ingredients, Avoid Using It, as the Cleaner May Leave a Toxic Residue, Cautions Lorena. (Click Through to Discover Other Toxic Cleaning Products Called Quaternary Ammonium Compounds That You Also Want to Avoid.)

Keep Your Ice Maker Clean

Staying on Top of Keeping Your Ice Maker in Good Condition Is a Small Step That Can Have Big Results. Here Are Rubino’s Pro Tips:

How Often to Clean an Ice Maker

Typically, Portable Ice Makers Need to Be Cleaned More Often Than Ones in the Fridge. It’s Best to Clean a Portable Ice Maker Every Month or Two, While a Fridge Ice Maker Only Needs to Be Cleaned Two to Four Times per Year.

How to Clean Ice Maker According to Pros

By Robert Thorne

• Oct 8, 2026 • 8 min read

How to Clean Ice Maker According to Pros

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

Ice Makes All Kinds of Drinks Better, from Coffee to Juice to Cocktails to Plain Old Water. an Icy Beverage Refreshes Like No Other, but Sometimes Ice Can Taste a Bit Funky or Melt Way Quicker Than It Should. to Find the Culprit Behind Ice with an “Off” Taste, You Have to Go Straight to the Source: Your Ice Maker.

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.

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