Does it damage a refrigerator to leave it unplugged?

Leaving a residential refrigerator unplugged for a short period—such as during a power outage, a kitchen remodeling project, or a routine cleaning and moving process—does not cause any mechanical or electrical damage to the appliance, provided you prepare it properly. However, if you leave a fridge unplugged for an extended duration while closed with food inside, trapped moisture will quickly cause mold and mildew to proliferate across the interior plastic surfaces. To prevent odor and damage when storing an unplugged fridge, empty all food items completely, wash the interior with baking soda, and prop both doors wide open to allow continuous air circulation. You can troubleshoot cleanliness easily. You can verify that your preparation is safe when storing an empty, clean, and propped-open refrigerator prevents mold growth during long periods of being unplugged.