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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 a 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've "got it down".

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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 the 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 through bad odors) and set aside.

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Do the 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.

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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.

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By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

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April 11, 20161 found this helpful

coffee works well for smells also( instead of baking soda)

 
Anonymous
June 18, 20170 found this helpful

I tried all that and the smell is still there

 
June 18, 20170 found this helpful

I tried all that and the smell is still there

 
September 29, 20190 found this helpful

Top loaded freezer- power out for several days with meats, nut rolls, ice cream- removed all. Wiped 1st, then dissolved three boxes of baking soda- wiped All again.

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Oder remains very strong. I'll try the apple cider and gelatin (did you close door, and were All steps done with power "OFF"?

 
April 28, 20200 found this helpful

I googled , finding multiple sites regarding extreme odors I a fridge. As I opened this site, I found it to be written in such a way, I felt the author was talking to only me! It was an easy read. Not only did she provide a step by step options & future maintenance of a clean fridge, she educated me on three veggies I typically have in my fridge ( cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower). How to care for, store and what happens regarding spoilage & offensive gases. I cleaned with the apple cider vinegar/water in the fridge. All shelves & drawers, I filled my bath tub with extremely hot water & Clorox.

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Both produced a CLEAN & FRESH FRIDGE !!!!! Thank You.

 
April 29, 20200 found this helpful

I googled , finding multiple sites regarding extreme odors I a fridge. As I opened this site, I found it to be written in such a way, I felt the author was talking to only me! It was an easy read. Not only did she provide a step by step options & future maintenance of a clean fridge, she educated me on three veggies I typically have in my fridge ( cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower). How to care for, store and what happens regarding spoilage & offensive gases. I cleaned with the apple cider vinegar/water in the fridge. All shelves & drawers, I filled my bath tub with extremely hot water & Clorox.
Both produced a CLEAN & FRESH FRIDGE !!!!! Thank You.

 

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