Domakihub How to Clean a Cool Box and Keep It Odour-Free
A simple routine that removes bacteria, stains, and smells after every use.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A cool box that smells of last summer's fish or leaking meat juice is a fast way to ruin a beach day or upset a holiday-rental guest arriving with their groceries. The video above walks through the full Igloo cleaning routine in under five minutes; the steps below give you the same method in writing so you can follow along in your kitchen, courtyard, or storage room. Whether you manage a single family home, a villa in the Peloponnese, or a hotel supply room, keeping your cool box clean extends its life and protects every food item that goes inside it.
Why Cool Boxes Get Dirty So Fast
The interior foam and plastic of a cool box is a warm, damp environment for most of the year — exactly the conditions bacteria and mould need to grow. Spills from raw meat, fish, or dairy products soak into drain plugs and lid seals and start producing odours within 24 hours if left untreated. In Greece's summer heat, that window is even shorter.
Holiday rentals and hotels face a higher hygiene standard than a household cooler used once a month. Guests expect equipment to arrive clean and neutral-smelling. A quick wipe is never enough — you need a full cleaning cycle every time the box is used for perishable food.
What You Need Before You Start
You do not need specialist products. Most of the work is done with warm water, washing-up liquid, white vinegar or a diluted bleach solution (one tablespoon of unscented household bleach per litre of water), and a stiff-bristled brush or sponge. Baking soda is useful for deodorising but optional. Avoid abrasive scourers on the inner shell — they scratch the surface and create microscopic grooves where bacteria can hide on the next use.
How to Clean a Cool Box: 5 Steps
- 1
Empty and drain completely
Remove all remaining ice, water, and food immediately after use. Open the drain plug at the bottom and let the meltwater run out fully. Leaving any standing water — even a small amount — is the main cause of mildew and sour smells. Rinse the interior once with plain cold water to flush loose debris before you begin scrubbing.
- 2
Scrub with soapy warm water
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid into a bucket of warm water and scrub all interior surfaces with a stiff brush, paying close attention to the corners, the lid seal, and the drain plug channel. Remove the drain plug itself and scrub it separately — it traps residue that you cannot reach with the plug in place. Rinse thoroughly so no soap film remains, as residue can taint food on the next use.
- 3
Disinfect with a diluted bleach or vinegar solution
For a deeper clean — or any time raw meat or fish was stored — follow the soap wash with a disinfecting wipe-down. Mix one tablespoon of unscented bleach per litre of water, apply with a sponge, let it sit for two minutes, then rinse fully. If you prefer a food-safe alternative, undiluted white vinegar works well: spray it on, leave it for five minutes, and rinse. Both methods kill the bacteria that cause odours.
- 4
Deodorise with baking soda if needed
If a smell persists after disinfecting, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda across the dry interior, close the lid, and leave it overnight. The baking soda absorbs residual odours without leaving a scent of its own. Tip it out the next morning and wipe away any powder before storing or re-using. This step is especially useful for cool boxes that have been in storage for a season.
- 5
Air dry completely before closing and storing
This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that causes the most problems. After rinsing, leave the lid propped open and let the interior air-dry fully — at least two to three hours in a shaded, ventilated spot. Closing a damp cool box traps moisture and the mould cycle begins again. Store the box with the lid slightly ajar or a folded cloth wedged in the hinge to allow airflow between uses.
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FAQ
- How often should I clean my cool box?
- Clean it after every use where food or drinks were stored, even if nothing spilled. A quick wash takes less than ten minutes and prevents bacteria and odour from building up. For cool boxes that sit in storage between seasons, give them a full clean with a disinfecting solution before you put them away and again before you bring them back into use.
- Can I put my cool box in the dishwasher?
- No. Dishwasher temperatures and detergents can warp the plastic shell and damage the foam insulation, reducing the box's ability to hold cold. Always clean by hand with warm water and mild washing-up liquid. The lid seal in particular should only be wiped gently — machine washing degrades the rubber and breaks the airtight closure over time.
- My cool box still smells after cleaning — what should I try?
- First check the drain plug: remove it and scrub the plug itself and the channel around it, as residue hides there. If the smell is still present, try the overnight baking soda treatment described in Step 4. For very persistent odours — common in boxes used for fish or shellfish — fill the interior with a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water, close the lid, and let it soak for 30 minutes before rinsing and air-drying. If odour remains after all of these steps, the foam insulation may be contaminated and the box should be replaced.