How to Keep Your Westinghouse Refrigerator Fresh and Working Well

What Westinghouse refrigerators are and how to maintain them

Westinghouse refrigerators are built to store food at safe temperatures, but they work best when you understand how your specific model handles cold air, where water drains, and what shelves do what. The brand makes several types—top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French door models—and each one has slightly different layouts and features. Knowing your model helps you organize food properly, clean the right parts, and catch problems before they spoil your groceries.

Your Westinghouse manual (usually a PDF you can find online by searching the model number on the back or inside the fridge) tells you exactly where the thermostat is, how to remove shelves for cleaning, and which parts are removable. If you don't have the manual, Westinghouse's website has a search tool where you enter your model number and download it free. This matters because different models have different defrost systems, different shelf materials, and different places where food odors and spills hide.

Key Takeaways

• Find your Westinghouse model number (usually on a sticker inside the fridge or on the back) and download the manual from Westinghouse's website to learn your specific fridge's layout and features.
• Clean the drain hole and drain pan under your Westinghouse at least once a month to prevent water backup, mold, and odors that no amount of shelf-wiping will fix.
• Store raw meat on the lowest shelf, vegetables in the crisper drawer, and dairy toward the back where it stays coldest—this layout works the same way in every Westinghouse model.
• Wipe spills immediately and check the rubber door seal monthly for cracks or gaps, because a broken seal makes your Westinghouse work harder and costs you money in electricity.

Finding and using your Westinghouse model number

Your model number is printed on a sticker inside the fridge, usually on the wall behind the crisper drawers or on the back wall near the bottom. It may also be on the back of the unit itself. Write it down or take a photo—you'll need it to find the manual, order replacement parts, or get help if something stops working.

Go to the Westinghouse website and look for a "Manuals" or "Support" section. Enter your model number in the search box. The manual will download as a PDF and includes diagrams of your exact fridge, a parts list, cleaning instructions specific to your model, and troubleshooting steps. Keep this file on your phone or computer so you can reference it when you need to remove a shelf, find the drain, or figure out why the ice maker isn't working.

Cleaning the drain and drain pan to prevent odors and mold

Every Westinghouse refrigerator has a small drain hole at the back or bottom of the fridge that lets water from the defrost cycle flow out. This water collects in a pan underneath the unit. If the drain hole clogs or the pan fills up, water backs up inside the fridge, creating puddles, mold, and the smell that makes you think your fridge itself is broken when really it just needs cleaning.

Once a month, locate the drain hole (your manual shows exactly where) and flush it with warm water using a turkey baster or small funnel. If it's clogged, use a straightened paperclip or pipe cleaner to clear it gently. Then pull out the drain pan from under the fridge (it usually slides out from the front or side), empty any water, wash it with warm soapy water, and slide it back. This single step prevents most refrigerator odors and keeps mold from growing where you can't see it.

Organizing shelves and drawers by food type

Westinghouse refrigerators, like all refrigerators, are coldest at the back and bottom. The door is the warmest zone. Use this to your advantage: store raw meat on the lowest shelf in the back so drips can't contaminate other foods, keep vegetables in the crisper drawer (which has its own humidity control), and put dairy, eggs, and leftovers on the middle shelves where they stay consistently cold. Condiments and jars go on the door because they're shelf-stable and don't need the coldest part of the fridge.

Most Westinghouse models have removable shelves and drawers. Take them out when you need to clean underneath or reorganize. Check your manual for the right way to remove them—some slide out, others lift up first. Never force a shelf; if it doesn't move easily, you may be pulling the wrong direction. Once you know how your model works, you can pull out a shelf in seconds to wipe up a spill before it dries and hardens.

Checking and cleaning the door seal

The rubber gasket around your Westinghouse door keeps cold air in. If it cracks, tears, or doesn't seal tightly, your fridge has to run constantly to maintain temperature, which costs you money and wears out the compressor faster. Check the seal monthly by closing the door on a dollar bill—if you can pull it out easily, the seal is weak and needs attention.

Clean the seal with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, paying attention to the grooves where mold and food particles hide. If the seal is cracked or peeling, your manual will tell you how to order a replacement gasket for your specific model. Westinghouse sells these parts online or through appliance retailers. Replacing a gasket takes about 15 minutes and costs far less than running a broken fridge for months.

Removing and cleaning shelves and drawers

Westinghouse shelves and crisper drawers collect spills, crumbs, and sticky spots that are easier to clean when removed. Most shelves slide out by tilting them slightly and pulling forward, but your manual shows the exact method for your model. Wash shelves and drawers in warm soapy water, dry them completely, and slide them back in. Don't use abrasive scrubbers on glass shelves—a soft cloth and mild soap work just as well and won't scratch.

While the shelves are out, wipe the walls and corners of the fridge with a damp cloth. This is when you'll find the drain hole and can flush it if needed. Check for any food particles or spills that dried in hard-to-reach spots. A quick wipe now prevents odors from building up later.

Managing odors and keeping your Westinghouse smelling fresh

Odors in a Westinghouse fridge usually come from three places: the drain pan (which we covered above), spilled food that dried on shelves or walls, or food that's been stored too long. The best defense is cleaning spills immediately and checking the drain monthly. Beyond that, an open box of baking soda in the back of the fridge absorbs odors—replace it every three months. Some people use activated charcoal or crumpled newspaper instead, which work the same way.

If your fridge smells bad even after cleaning, the smell may be coming from the drain pan or the drain line itself. Empty and wash the pan, then flush the drain hole with warm water. If the smell persists, a small amount of white vinegar poured down the drain can help kill bacteria. Never use bleach or harsh chemicals inside a food storage area—warm water and mild soap are all you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my Westinghouse refrigerator's model number?

Look for a sticker inside the fridge, usually on the wall behind the crisper drawers or on the back wall near the bottom. You may also find it on the back of the unit itself. Take a photo or write it down so you have it when you need to download the manual or order parts.

How often should I clean the drain and drain pan?

Check and clean the drain pan at least once a month. Flush the drain hole with warm water using a turkey baster. If you notice water pooling inside the fridge or smell mold, clean it right away—don't wait for the next scheduled cleaning.

Can I use bleach to clean the inside of my Westinghouse?

No. Use only warm water and mild dish soap inside the fridge. Bleach and harsh chemicals can leave residue that contaminates food and damages plastic parts. A damp cloth and gentle soap clean just as well and are safe for food storage areas.

What should I do if my Westinghouse door doesn't seal tightly?

First, clean the rubber gasket with warm soapy water—sometimes dirt prevents a tight seal. If cleaning doesn't help, the gasket may be cracked or warped. Your manual shows how to order a replacement gasket for your model, which is an inexpensive fix you can do yourself in about 15 minutes.

Why is water pooling inside my Westinghouse refrigerator?

The drain hole is likely clogged. Locate it using your manual and flush it with warm water using a turkey baster or small funnel. If it's blocked by ice or food particles, use a straightened paperclip to clear it gently. Then empty and clean the drain pan underneath the unit.