You open the fridge or freezer to treat yourself to a refreshing bottle of lemonade or ice cream and are immediately hit by a foul smell. If you don't give your fridge the same care as the rest of your home, stagnant, unpleasant odors are inevitable. If your refrigerator stinks, there are cool tips to combat the unpleasant smell!
The good news? It's not difficult to get rid of this terrible smell, but you first need to figure out what's causing it. Then, change your regular maintenance routines to increase the freshness of your refrigerator and freezer. Don't close the door and hope the smell goes away - that will only make things worse.
Fridge stinks inside and/or outside: What helps?
You should first be sure why your refrigerator smells so bad.
The most common causes
- Spoiled food
The worst thing about unpleasant smells is that they are usually the result of microbial growth. Because of the high humidity, your refrigerator is an ideal environment for these microscopic organisms. Most refrigerator odors come from spilled, spoiled, or expired food, as well as moisture and humidity.
Refrigerators are breeding grounds for mold and germs, which can develop in the many invisible cracks of the refrigerator just as easily as in other places. It is a common misconception that germs cannot survive in the cold. Bacterial growth is slowed down by cooler temperatures, but not stopped.
- Defects Compressor
A faulty compressor or Freon leak is another possible cause of the smell coming from your refrigerator. If your refrigerator smells strongly chemical, burning, or like ammonia, it may be leaking harmful gases and you should consult a professional.
- Set the refrigerator temperature correctly
A possible hidden source of refrigerator smell is the temperature of the device. It may be that due to the temperature, bacteria are forming in your refrigerator and your food is not staying fresh for as long, causing it to give off a bad smell. Maintain a refrigerator temperature of 5 to 7 degrees Celsius. To keep an eye on the temperature, all you need is a standard refrigerator thermometer.
Eliminate bad smells in the refrigerator - clean with home remedies
To get rid of the smell in your fridge and freezer, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. You should first clear out the refrigerator shelves and drawers. Once you've taken everything out and placed it on the work surface, you should start with theInspection and cleaningstart. You can spray the interior surfaces with a vinegar and water solution and then wipe them with a warm, damp microfiber cloth. Be sure to clean the refrigerator from top to bottom, including all shelves, drawers, walls, and back panel. If the shelves are removable, it may be more effective to clean them in the sink with mild soap and warm water.
Deodorize a smelly fridge with baking soda
Baking soda's ability to neutralize odors is known as a solution to smelly refrigerators. Is there any smell that this product cannot eliminate? No – the home remedy always helps against bad smells. Put a bowlwith baking powderon any shelf in the fridge for a few days.
Fridge stinks: Use lemon
Many people use lemon to remove odors from their refrigerators because it has a pleasant aroma. Use a towel moistened with the juice of half a lemon to wipe down the plastic shelves in your refrigerator. You can store the remaining lemon, cut into wedges, in the refrigerator for a day or two by placing it on a plate.
Remove odors from the refrigerator with coffee
Coffee is more than just a pick-me-up in the morning. It can also be used to remove odors from a refrigerator. Store ground coffee in a cup in the refrigerator for a few days.
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Fridge smells unpleasant – use vanilla
Vanilla extract is a great refrigerator deodorizer. In addition to the coffee and baking soda methods, try using a cotton ball soaked in vanilla essential oil. After soaking the cotton pad in vanilla extract for 24 hours, place it on a flat plate in the refrigerator.
Newspaper to absorb odors
Do you have some newspapers lying around at home? Use them to neutralize unpleasant refrigerator odors. Remove everything from the refrigerator and store in a cool place. Do not turn off the refrigerator. Wipe down all of the plastic with white vinegar as mentioned previously. Then place the rolled up newspapers in the refrigerator. Moisten the newspaper sheets. Let them rest in the refrigerator for three to four days.
There are other things in the house that have a similar effect:
- Charcoal
- Cat litter
Also read:Cleaning a burnt-in oven: With the right home remedies, it's quick and easy!
