How to Keep Refrigerator Odors Away

Refrigerator odors are easier to prevent than to remedy, mainly because a smell tends to linger even after its source has been removed. Not only are odors unpleasant to the nose, over time they can affect the way other food in your fridge tastes. Keep unfavorable refrigerator smells at bay by being proactive in keeping the appliance, and its contents, fresh and clean.

Clean Your Refrigerator Regularly

The simplest and most effective way to keep odors away is to regularly clean the contents of your refrigerator. Make it a weekly habit to toss out any bad or expired food and wipe up any food that may have spilled out of leaky containers. Be sure to look through all compartments in your fridge, as the source of a smell may not be obvious. Often times smells come as a result of food or a spillage somewhere not so noticeable, like in the back of the fridge underneath one of the produce crisper drawers. Taking 15 minutes weekly to clear out spoiled food and wipe down refrigerator surfaces with some warm water, or cleaning spray, will save you excess work in the long run.

Store Your Food Properly

If you’ve made a meal and have left-overs, store the food in air tight containers as opposed to a bowl or plate with saran wrap over the top. Potent dishes, even if pleasant-smelling, can leave unwanted odors in your fridge over time. Cooked food spoils faster than any produce, so be sure to store it properly and toss it out if not consumed within a week.

Use Baking Soda to Remove Smells

Baking soda is a cheap and effective way to remove refrigerator odors. After you’ve taken the obvious first step of cleaning out the fridge and removing the odor’s source, place an open box of baking soda in the fridge. Leave it there for a few days and then throw away. The baking soda should absorb the odor. As a preventative measure, keep an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator at all times.

Take More Drastic Measures If Necessary

Chances are that emptying your fridge of its contents and scrubbing it with warm water and soap will take care of any odors, but in extreme cases you may need to turn off the appliance to allow it to air out. If you think this will be the case, schedule a day in advance to do the cleaning. Take anything you don’t consume prior to the cleaning day over to a friend’s place for refrigeration. Turn off your fridge and unplug it. Scrub all surfaces and leave the door open. Allow it to air out for at least 24 hours. Doing this is an inconvenience, but you’ll be certain to kill the odor and have an odorless refrigerator again.

Keeping your refrigerator clean, like any household cleaning chore, is most effective when done on a regular basis. Be proactive in preventing odors and they’ll never be a problem.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.