Removing Odors From a Refrigerator
If the first solution you try doesn't work, then try another. Do not mix ingredients in these solutions.
If you leave food in the refrigerator too long or store improperly packaged food, it may leave an unpleasant odor in the refrigerator. The same thing happens if food spoils while the electricity is off. To remove the odor, try one of the following solutions. If the first solution you try doesn't work, then try another. Do not mix ingredients in these solutions.
Solutions for you to try one at a time:
- Baking soda and water. Mix two tablespoons of soda with quart of water.
- Vinegar and water. Use one cup of vinegar for a gallon of water.
- Household chlorine bleach. Use one-half cup of bleach for a gallon of water.
Apply the solution you choose with a soft cloth, rinse and dry surface area well before trying another solution.
If odor remains, try leaving one of the following in an open container in the refrigerator: coffee grounds, kitty litter, baking soda or a few charcoal briquettes. Cotton balls saturated with vanilla extract and placed inside may help cover remaining odor.
If the odor is in the insulation…
No amount of scrubbing or absorption material will help if odor is in insulation. In this case, all you can do besides replacing the expensive insulation is to hope the insulation will eventually dry out. Sometimes heat and air circulation will help remove odors.
In the meantime, double-wrap food that you place in the freezer. As soon as you remove the food from the freezer to thaw it for use, remove the outer wrapping. Generally the odor will be in the outer wrapping and the food won't be affected. Keep all other foods covered while they are in the refrigerator.
Prevention worth a pound of cure…
To prevent odors from being absorbed by refrigerator surfaces, clean the surfaces regularly with a solution of baking soda and water. Use a soft cloth, and avoid abrasive cleaners.
Defrost manual freezer units regularly, at least when frost is one quarter inch thick. Remove and discard ice from trays or ice maker periodically because ice retains odors. If you spill food in the refrigerator, wipe and clean it immediately. Food spills create odors and stains.
The defrost pan on automatic defrost models needs to be cleaned periodically, too. It's usually located under the grill at the bottom of the refrigerator. Remove the grill and you'll see the pan on one side and the condenser coils on the other. Pull the pan out and clean it.
Remove dust from the condenser with a brush or the dusting attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Wipe up any spills on the floor around the bottom of the refrigerator and under the grill. Periodic cleaning will help to remove odors in and around the refrigerator.
For more information on removing odors from a refrigerator; contact your local county Extension office.
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