Are you bothered by the bad fridge odor? If yes, then you are not alone. We’ve all had that moment when you open your fridge only to be assaulted by a bad odor waft coming from your fridge. Whether you are using a mini fridge, top-rated refrigerator or just a simple refrigerator, this smell is almost unavoidable.
More importantly, if you don’t take care of your fridge from time to time, then this is bound to happen. All in all, with the best refrigerator, you might have a slight chance of avoiding this smell. But you should always remember to take care of your device.
So, how do you get rid of this odor? Well, stick around and I will show you some of the basic routines you can incorporate. I’m sure you love your fridge as much as I do. Therefore, this article is in your best interest.
Table of Contents
Getting rid of bad odor in your fridge
Clean your Fridge
It actually takes a long time to find out what is the cause of the stench. On top of that, you are likely to lose your appetite due to the strong smell. This calls for a fast and effective response. The first step is you should start by cleaning your fridge. This will help you reduce the smell.
Empty the fridge so that you don’t contaminate your foodstuffs. Actually, the thought of your food sitting outside the fridge will help you do the cleaning a little faster. Start by unplugging your fridge. Next, wipe it down from the inside to the outside. You should also check if the temperature is correct.
Also, dispose of any food that might have gone bad. Additionally, you can check if the drainage system might be blocked. If it is, then find a way to unblock it. If the above procedure doesn’t cut it, then try any of the below solutions
- Vinegar: this is a very good household cleaner. To make your work easier, you can use a spray bottle filled with half white vinegar while the other half should be warm water. The acidity in vinegar will help to neutralize the bad smell and also break down some of the stubborn foods that might be stuck in the fridge. However, make sure you have wiped down the vinegar afterward. This will also help you to remove the strong vinegar smell
- Baking Soda: mixing baking soda and water produces a very strong cleaning solution which will be good for cleaning home surfaces. Additionally, you can use this mixture to clean your fridge. Sprinkle the baking soda on a damp sponge then use it to clean the inside of your fridge. Just like the vinegar mixture, baking soda mixture will also work to absorb the strong odor.
- Ground Coffee: coffee is also another viable option if you are planning to get rid of the bad smell in your fridge. Take freshly grounded coffee and soak them in a bowl then place it in your fridge to remove the stubborn smell. If you don’t like coffee then you can try this same routine with activated charcoal or dry oats. Soak it for a few days for the smell to completely disappear.
- Lemon: Place half a slice of lemon facing down in your fridge for a few days. You should also make sure you remove the lemon slice before it goes bad. Lemon will be able to soak up the bad smell and leave a fresh lemon scent in your fridge. It also works well with orange peels. Additionally, you can clean your fridge using lemon juice soaked in a sponge. It will still have the same effect.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract will sweeten the smell in your refrigerator. It’s also a sweeter alternative if you don’t want to use vinegar. You can easily soak up several cotton balls with vanilla extract. Then, leave them inside your fridge for that delicious scent. I bet your appetite will be back on track as soon as you open your fridge.
One thing that you should keep in mind is that it’s very important to clean your fridge before starting to deal with the smell. Therefore, don’t skip the cleaning part. Even the best fridges in the market at one point might have an awful smell. You just need to know how to deal with it.
The cleaning and maintenance doesn’t stop there! That’s only half of it. Getting rid of the smell is important, but you also need to ensure that it doesn’t return. Therefore, keep on reading to learn how to stop the smell from returning.
Ensure you have the right temperature
There’s always the right temperature to ensure you have the best experience when it comes to your refrigerator. This is usually between 37 to 41 Degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a warmer temperature, then your food might go bad and hence the bad odor will return. Also, if you put it any colder, then you are probably wasting energy.
Label your Leftovers
It’s always a good idea to store leftovers in your fridge. But if you’re not careful, you might end up storing expired food. To avoid this, ensure you label the date you started storing each of your leftovers. This way, you will be able to tell when it goes bad.
Good Air Circulation is important
Good air circulation helps to spread the air around and hence preserve the food. To ensure your fridge has the right circulation, place a small thermometer on the corner of your fridge. Keep switching this thermometer and see if there’s any temperature difference. If you find a change in the temperature, then you need to find someone to restore the good air circulation.
In summary…
Getting one of the best refrigerators available in the market is always a good option. However, you also need to learn how to clean it and maintain a good smell. A bad odor is always a sign of water leakage, poor air circulation or simply uncleanliness. In case you’ve tried all the above routines and nothing seems to work, then it’s time to call an expert.