Experiencing an unpleasant odor when opening the refrigerator is a common occurrence. It can be puzzling to identify the source of the foul smell, even after conducting a thorough search. Moreover, the unpleasant odor may persist even after removing spoiled food items.
However, there are simple and effective methods to deodorize your fridge and ensure a consistently fresh scent. By implementing these techniques, you can enjoy a pleasant and inviting refrigerator environment at all times.
How Do You Clean And Deodorize A Refrigerator?
To ensure effective odor elimination, it is imperative to begin by thoroughly addressing the basics. Failing to do so will render any subsequent deodorizing attempts futile.
Clean the inside
To effectively remove stuck-on food, spills, and neutralize odors from your refrigerator, follow these steps for natural disinfection:
- Start by removing all the food. You can either work on one shelf and drawer at a time or empty everything at once.
- Discard any spoiled food items. It’s a good idea to make a plan to use anything that’s close to expiration or store it in the freezer.
- Thoroughly wipe down the shelves, drawers, and walls to ensure all crumbs and spills are removed. Create a mixture by combining equal parts warm water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a combination of warm water and dish soap.
- Once you’ve cleaned everything, make sure to dry the surfaces before placing the food back into the refrigerator.
By following these steps, you can effectively disinfect your refrigerator, ensuring cleanliness and preventing odors.
Fresh coffee grounds
To efficiently deodorize your refrigerator, follow these steps: Place 1 cup of fresh coffee grounds in a bowl, jar, or on a plate at the back of your fridge. The coffee grounds will help absorb unpleasant odors, leaving your refrigerator smelling fresh and clean.
Dry oats
One useful property of oats is their ability to absorb odors. To take advantage of this, you can place 1 cup of dry oats into a bowl or jar and position it inside your fridge. This will help mitigate and neutralize any unwanted smells.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is a lesser-known but highly effective method for removing fridge odors. It can be used in handy pre-made sachets, which provide exceptional odor elimination results.
Moreover, activated charcoal is versatile and can be used to freshen up other areas such as shoes, cars, gym bags, closets, and drawers.
By incorporating activated charcoal into your odor-elimination routine, you can ensure a pleasant and fragrant environment throughout your home and belongings.
Baking soda
To maintain a fresh-smelling fridge, follow these steps:
- Place ½ cup of baking soda in a bowl or on a plate in the back of the fridge. You can alternatively use an Arm & Hammer Fridge-n-Freezer pack.
- Remember to replace the baking soda every 30 days to ensure effectiveness.
- If your fridge smells particularly unpleasant, evenly sprinkle baking soda onto a sheet tray and leave it overnight. By doing so, you’ll tackle even the toughest odors.
Citrus fruit
To freshen your refrigerator, slice a lemon, orange, or grapefruit in half and place it in a bowl or on a plate for a few days. For a stronger citrus scent, sprinkle the fruit with salt.
This method can be used to deodorize bad smells, and you can either replace the citrus every few days or use it regularly. If you don’t want to waste the fruit, you can also utilize the citrus peel by sprinkling it with salt.
Refrigerator Deodorizer
This highly efficient device effortlessly eliminates odors within a matter of hours, ensuring your fridge or freezer remains completely odor-free for an impressive duration of 6 months.
What’s more, it is entirely food safe and fragrance-free, all while substantially prolonging the freshness and lifespan of your fruits and vegetables, increasing their longevity by 2-4 times.
By simply placing this convenient device inside your fridge or freezer, you can easily maintain an odorless environment effortlessly.
Vanilla extract
To infuse a delightful vanilla fragrance into your refrigerator, follow these simple steps: take a small bowl or ramekin and add a tablespoon or two of vanilla extract. Place the bowl or ramekin in the desired spot inside your fridge.
Allow the vanilla scent to permeate the refrigerator, creating a pleasant aromatic experience every time you open its doors.
White vinegar
To effectively control odors in the refrigerator, you can follow these steps: First, dampen a paper towel, washcloth, or cotton ball with vinegar. Next, place the vinegar-soaked material in a bowl and position it at the back of the refrigerator.
By implementing this straightforward solution, you can maintain a pleasant and fresh environment for your stored food items.
The Best Refrigerator Odor Eliminator
Here is a highly effective do-it-yourself (DIY) recipe that I have personally discovered for deodorizing and freshening the interior of your refrigerator. In a glass jar, combine the following ingredients:
8 ounces of baking soda, a quarter cup of natural sea salt, and 3 to 5 drops of your preferred essential oil, such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit.
Next, carefully place the uncovered jar at the back of your refrigerator. For continuous freshness, it is recommended to prepare a fresh mixture every one to two months.
By following this simple yet efficient method, you can ensure that your refrigerator remains odor-free and pleasantly scented.
How Can You Keep Your Fridge Fresh?
In addition to the aforementioned tips, there are several proactive measures that can be taken to effectively prevent the reoccurrence of unpleasant odors in the future. By following these additional recommendations, you can ensure a more hygienic and refreshing environment.
Empty the Fridge
Before you start cleaning your fridge, you need to empty it completely. Remove all the food items from the fridge and place them in a cooler or a basket. This process will help you remove any expired or spoiled food items that may have been hiding in the back of your fridge. Unplug the fridge if needed to avoid wasting energy.
Clean the Fridge
Once you have removed all the food, clean the fridge thoroughly. You can use a mixture of water and vinegar or a commercial cleaning agent to clean the fridge. Wipe down all surfaces, including the shelves, drawers, and walls of the fridge, using a soft cloth or sponge. Remember to clean the door gasket and vacuum the condenser coils of the fridge.
Organize the Fridge
After you have cleaned the fridge, organize it to ensure that you can find everything you need quickly. Separate your food items into categories such as drinks, dairy, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables, and place them in separate areas of the fridge to avoid cross-contamination. Label the containers and date the leftovers to ensure that you use them before they expire.
Keep the Fridge Fresh
To keep your fridge fresh, you need to maintain a consistent temperature of 40°F or below. Check the temperature settings of your fridge and adjust them accordingly. Keep an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb any odors or use an air purifier for a more effective result. Clean any spills or stains immediately to prevent bacteria growth.
Prevent Food Waste
To avoid food waste, you need to consume fresh fruits and vegetables before they spoil. Store them in the crisper drawer, which maintains humidity levels at a higher level. Also, try to cook in smaller portions and freeze the leftovers for future meals. This practice will also help you save money on groceries and prevent food waste.
Final Thoughts
I would like to share with you some effective tips and tricks to help eliminate unpleasant odors. These methods have been proven to be highly effective and I’m confident they will work for you.
Additionally, please keep in mind that if you have cleaned your fridge thoroughly and followed these tips, yet the bad smell persists, it might be a sign that your fridge requires professional repair services.