Removing Spoiled Food Odors from Refrigerator

Getting Rid of Bad Odors in the Fridge

Getting rid of bad odors from the fridge is no joke. Luckily I know of the complete way to do it. I have tried cleaners, odor control products, and like everyone have opened box of Arm and Hammer. Some work a little, while some not at all. After many quests at attempting to solve this problem I finally can assuredly say "I got it down".

Clear out everything, throw away any left overs, wash any containers that hold odor (mainly plastic), all fruit, opened packages will and have absorbed the odor you want to get rid of. I feel that if it isn't in a glass container, it likely to have absorbed the odor.

After fridge is cleared you clean, start by wiping anything that may have dripped, spilled or spattered under drawers, in egg slots, crisper; if these things can be pulled out you should do that. Leaving you with as free area as possible to work in. The racks, drawers, and crisper needs to be cleaned also. Doing them separate works much faster, and gets everything cleaned. They can soak if you have room, if not take a spray bottle of apple cider vinegar and wipe these things down. Let them remain wet (this eats thru bad odors) and set aside.

Do same solution on inside of the unit, and let stand for several minutes. Go back and completely wipe entire appliance down. Same with everything you pulled out; wipe it, rinse and dry.

Next you want to take baking soda if extremely bad (rotten things or has set closed not being used). Use a entire box, if not a 1/2 box, per bucket of water is fine. Wipe as before this neutralizes the smell of the vinegar as well as absorbs any odors left.

By now, you should be noticing a huge difference in the smell of refrigerator. Put it back together, wipe entire unit down once its back in place, shelves, etc. As well as baking soda (depending on what's made the smell), I like putting coal in the back. You will be surprised how effective this is. Make sure you replace both from time to time.

When I discovered this, it was a serious problem. I had been at the hospital, with fish rotting for several days. If yours is that bad, there is one last secret I used; make a box of unflavored gelatin. Make according to instructions, put in middle of refrigerator opened, yes opened. It will NOT be eaten but absorb any lingering odor. You can do this from time to time for regular cleaning. The gelatin picks up any little odor in the closed space as it's setting.

One last freebie; you can take gelatin afterwards (do NOT eat) and put in bucket, using warm water it will melt. Use it to give your outside plants, trees or garden a boost of energy. It's great for plant food. Why waste it the plants won't mind at all it smells.

This should do it. If it got rid of a week's worth of "fishy" yuck from mine, it will work on anything! Get all of the things together. The rags you first use should be ones you can just throw out. Do it in this order, and it really will be spic an span leaving you feeling great. Being able to keep the fridge will make losing the food a little easier to swallow.

Source:The box of baking soda is well known. Coal was from my grand mother taught me, and after using gelatin when my kids were young, it made sense. My son was hospitalized, and I couldn't afford a new refrigerator so this worked. Now it's something I do, so they never are any odors, after company or just spring cleaning!

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

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Prevent Food Odors from Developing in Your Refrigerator

One of the best ways to deal with odors in your refrigerator is to prevent them from happening. Here are a few tips to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh:

• Keep an open box of baking soda inside and replace it every 3 months.

• Clean up any spills immediately.

• Always store food in a covered container and dispose of food as soon as you suspect that it's bad.

• Make sure that your refrigerator is kept at the proper temperature. It is important to keep the temperature low enough to slow bacteria growth.

• Periodically empty your refrigerator of all food, dispose of any spoiled food, and thoroughly scrub down the interior and exterior.
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Removing Persistent Refrigerator Odors

So you have cleaned your refrigerator and removed any spoiled food and there is still an odor. Here are some solutions to removing persistent odors:

• If possible, unplug your refrigerator and leave the doors open. Letting fresh air circulate through your refrigerator can help replace stagnant air.

• Fill multiple containers with baking soda and place them on the shelves, in the drawers, and in the compartments. Baking soda is a great deodorizer.

• Empty your refrigerator of food and place a few dishes filled with activated charcoal inside. Activated charcoal can usually be found at your local pet store. Leave the charcoal in your refrigerator for a few days.

• Another natural odor absorber are coffee grounds. A few container of coffee grounds placed throughout your refrigerator may remove unwanted odors.
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Finding the Source of Refrigerator Odors

There are many reasons that your refrigerator may smell. It is important to locate the source so that you can get rid of the odor. Here are some tips for investigating the cause of your refrigerator odor:

• Put a fresh box of baking soda in your refrigerator. Having a box of baking soda in your refrigerator will help absorb odors from the foods inside. Leftovers can be a big culprit in smelly odors. Your box should be replaced about every 3 months.

• Periodically cleaning out your refrigerator is a good idea. Spills and old leftovers can create odors after awhile. Cleaning and sanitizing your refrigerator will remove any bacteria and mold that can cause odors too. Both of these cleaning solutions are natural and safe ways to deodorize and clean:
  • 50/50 blend of baking soda and water
  • 50/50 blend of vinegar and water

• Make sure that you look in all of the drawers and compartments of your refrigerator. Spoiling food that has been pushed to the back of the fridge will eventually cause an odor.

• Check underneath your refrigerator. A spill on the outside of your refrigerator may sometimes end up under the front or sides too. If that part of the spill isn't cleaned up it may develop an odor that is then carried into the refrigerator by its external fans.
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Newspaper for Refrigerator Odors

Free your refrigerator from odors by placing a folded section of your newspaper on a shelf for five minutes. The newspaper absorbs all the odors and doesn't cost anything.

By Sherry

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Baking Soda in My Refrigerator

I always keep a fresh box of opened baking soda in my refrigerator. I try to remember to change it out every two months. If I get a sudden odor from a bag of cut-up onion or something like that, I put a slice of bread on each shelf in the refrigerator. That pulls the odor out pretty quick. When I wipe the shelves and drawers in it, I also put a little baking soda in the water.

By Debbie S. from McAdams, MS

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I just came home from vacation to find the refrigerator breaker had tripped. Two refrigerators are completely thawed. How do I get rid of the odor in them?

By Marie from Fort Worth, TX

Most Recent Answer

By Danialle 11/12/2010

Make a semi thick paste of Baking Soda and vinegar. Mix it in a large bowl, as it will foam. Make it just thick enough that it will cling to a dish cloth. Ring it out just enough that it doesn't drip a lot. Wipe down the entire refrigerator including the racks and drawers. Sprinkle more, just Baking Soda on all flat surfaces. Close the door and let set over night if possible. Rinse and dry. I hope this works for you. You may have to repeat the process.

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