Are you getting a whiff of bad odors every time you open your refrigerator? If so, it’s time to tackle the smell.

How to Remove the Refrigerator Odor:

Discard Old Food

The first step is to get rid of whatever caused the problem in the first place. Check expiration dates on everything in the refrigerator, including condiments and sauces. Throw away anything that has expired, leftovers, and any fresh fruits or vegetables that seem to be past their prime. Also consider removing any pungent foods like onions or garlic that easily spread their smell.

Clean the Refrigerator

Scrub all of the shelves, take drawers out to wash, clean beneath the drawer slots, and wipe down the gaskets (rubber seals) around the door. While you’re at it, you might as well clean the outside of the refrigerator; the doors, water dispenser tray, and most importantly, the handle, as that’s where germs are likely to linger. If the inside of your refrigerator requires a thorough cleaning that will take some time, move foods to a cooler with ice so they don’t spoil while the door is open.

Clean the Drip Tray

The drip tray is often forgotten about, but is essential to clean from time to time as it contains dirty water which may be causing the bad odor. The drip tray is located beneath the refrigerator. Remove the grill from beneath the doors, carefully pull out the tray, and dump the contents. Deodorize the tray by soaking it in baking soda and water after cleaning. Before placing back under the Fridge, use a paper towel or rag to wipe up any drips of water under the fridge if possible.

Defrost if Necessary

For severe smells that won’t go away, try defrosting your refrigerator. This is a good practice to do from time to time as bad odors can condense and mix with the ice inside; the same goes for your freezer. Again, be sure to store your food with an alternative cooling method.

Remove Fridge Smell with Natural Ingredients

It’s a good idea to stay away from harsh chemicals when cleaning an area your food is stored. Use natural ingredients to clean your refrigerator. Here are some ingredients you could use:

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great long and short term solution. Long term, leave an open box of baking soda in the fridge. This will absorb and deodorize smells. Replace every few weeks. To quickly get rid of smells right away, spread baking soda on a baking sheet (or a dish with a large surface area), leave in the fridge for several hours, and then throw away.

Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds are another surprising remedy to refrigerator odor. Dry off used grounds and then place in bowl or porous bag (such as old nylons). Leave in the refrigerator a few hours up to two days. Be sure to throw the used grounds away in the trash, not down the drain, as coffee grounds clog drains.

Vinegar

Put an open bowl (or cup) filled with white vinegar in the refrigerator. White vinegar can neutralize the odors that come out of the fridge. It can also be mixed with water and used to clean the inside of the fridge.

Oranges

Oranges, and other citrus fruits such as limes or lemons, can eliminate lingering odors. Citrus fruits are also great for cleaning and eliminating smells from your garbage disposal in three easy steps.

Vanilla

Vanilla extract will also deodorize your fridge, while leaving behind a wonderful scent. Soak fresh cotton balls in vanilla extract and place inside the refrigerator. Place cotton balls in a small dish to avoid cleaning up sticky residue after removed.

Oats

Leave a bowl of dry oats in the refrigerator for several hours to remove bad odor. The oats will suck in the bad smells and are easily disposed of in the trash.

Prevent Refrigerator Odor:

Proper Storage

Be sure to store applicable foods in airtight containers. Don’t forget about restaurant leftovers; although they usually come in a cardboard or Styrofoam container, repackage the food into an airtight container.

Correct Temperature

It’s important to keep your refrigerator at the proper temperature. Too high of a temperature will make food spoil quicker, while too low of a temperature is unnecessary, will waste energy and increase your utility bill, and may possible start to freeze your refrigerated foods.

Proper Placement

Refrigerators have designated spots for different types of foods. The crisper drawers at the bottom of the fridge are meant for fresh fruits and vegetables. Crisper Drawers maintain moist conditions that help preserve fresh foods. Keep fruits and vegetables in separate drawers, as many fruits produce ethylene, a chemical that helps them to ripen. Placed next to other vegetables, the ethylene producing fruits can cause premature ripening in other vegetables and cause them to go yellow, limp, or even sprout. Also, keep leftovers or foods that expire quickly at the front of the fridge, so they don’t get shoved to the back of the fridge and forgotten about.

Routine Cleaning

The best preventative measure is to always have a clean fridge clear of any spoiled food. Develop a schedule to clean out your refrigerator once a week, or every other week at the longest. Helpful hint: label and date leftovers. You’ll always know what’s in the container and won’t forget what day you brought it home.

Now that your refrigerator odors are taken care of, what other appliances in your kitchen need help? If you run into any plumbing problems, call Ben Franklin Plumbing. Our Punctual Plumbers are available to assist you with leaky faucet repair, garbage disposal repair and replacement, and any other plumbing emergency. Select at time to schedule a service today.

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