From storing your family’s favorite foods to keeping pre-prepared weekly meals for busy days, the refrigerator is an essential part of daily care. It’s important for your fridge to smell fresh to help keep your food fresh as well.
Follow “Sayedaty Kitchen” for practical tips on how to eliminate refrigerator odors, starting with basic cleaning and maintenance, and moving on to natural remedies such as lemon and baking soda.
Dubai – Lina Al-Hourani
How to Clean a Smelly Refrigerator
To get rid of refrigerator odors, it’s important to first identify their source. Bacteria, mold, food residue, expired items, and leaking containers are all common causes of unpleasant smells.
Removing bad odors from the fridge isn’t difficult. Many unwanted smells can be eliminated with simple steps and natural deodorizers.
What You’ll Need
Warm water
Dishwashing liquid
A clean towel
A damp cloth
Then follow these steps:
Discard Spoiled Food
Expired or spoiled food is often the main cause of refrigerator odors. Throw away any expired items and organize your fridge and freezer so food is easy to access and monitor.
Replace the Refrigerator Air Filter Regularly
Some refrigerators feature air filters that are up to 15 times more powerful than baking soda at removing food odors. Replacing the air filter regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, helps prevent and eliminate smells.
Clean the Interior of the Refrigerator
Unplug the refrigerator and remove all food, drawers, and removable shelves. Wipe the interior with warm water and dish soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a clean towel. Do not place refrigerator parts in the dishwasher.
Clean Drawer and Shelf Tracks
Use warm, soapy water to clean drawer and shelf tracks. Rinse well and dry completely with a soft microfiber cloth before reinstalling.
If liquids have spilled inside the fridge, drawers or shelves may stick. Remove all detachable parts and clean spills with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth. Wipe the fridge interior thoroughly, and repeat cleaning if the spill was heavy.
Clean Refrigerator Door Seals
The rubber gasket around the door can trap dirt and odors. Clean it using a soft cloth or sponge with mild detergent and warm water, then rinse and dry well.
Clean the Drip Pan
Regularly cleaning the drip pan helps prevent lingering odors. Carefully remove it from beneath the fridge, wash with warm water and dish soap, rinse well, and dry completely before replacing it.
Natural Ways to Remove Refrigerator Odors
In addition to cleaning, natural solutions can help absorb and neutralize lingering smells.
Baking Soda
After cleaning and unplugging the fridge, place an open box of baking soda on a shelf (and another in the freezer). It absorbs remaining odors naturally.
Activated Charcoal
Place one paper bowl of activated charcoal in the fridge and another in the freezer. For strong odors, use multiple bowls in each compartment.
Mint Candy
Place a damp mint candy on a paper plate and leave it on the middle shelf to help neutralize food odors.
Newspaper Balls
Roll newspaper pages into balls and place them on a paper plate. Add a drop of vanilla extract to each ball. Place plates on each shelf in the fridge and freezer for several weeks—the carbon in the ink helps absorb odors.
Lemon
Wipe refrigerator shelves with a cloth dampened with lemon juice after cleaning. For extra absorption, leave lemon slices in a bowl inside the fridge for a few hours or up to a week.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which neutralizes odors effectively. Place a small bowl of used coffee grounds in the fridge to absorb smells and leave a mild coffee scent.
Vinegar
For stubborn odors, wipe the interior with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. This natural deodorizer helps eliminate persistent smells.
Oats
Uncooked oats can also absorb refrigerator odors. Place them in an uncovered bowl inside the fridge to naturally remove unpleasant smells.
Why Does My Refrigerator Still Smell After Cleaning?
Depending on the strength of the odor, it may take weeks or even months to fully disappear. Some smells may be absorbed by the refrigerator’s insulation. If odors persist despite thorough cleaning, it may be time to replace the refrigerator or freezer.
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