How to Get Odor Out of a Smelly Refrigerator

Refrigerators are one of the most used and essential appliances. However, because of moisture, the foods and drinks it stores, and the likelihood of spills occurring, the refrigerator is also one of the appliances most prone to developing unpleasant odors. Fortunately, this guide is here to help you get rid of those smelly odors, with tips to keep them from coming back.

Why does the refrigerator smell?

As mentioned above, a combination of reasons means that a refrigerator is an ideal place for odors to develop. Unpleasant refrigerator odors are typically caused by bacteria and mold, which thrive in areas where moisture is present. Moisture can come from spilled food or liquids, humidity from the outside, and condensation. The refrigerator also has a lot of nooks and crannies where mold and bacteria can form without being seen.

Leaving food for too long or unsealed can also cause the refrigerator to smell bad. Forgetting to clean the refrigerator’s drip pan is another reason the refrigerator may become smelly.

What you will need

• a microfiber cloth or sponge
• an old toothbrush (optional)
• an empty spray bottle
• dish soap
• baking soda or distilled white vinegar
• bleach (optional)
• water

1. Empty the refrigerator

The first step when cleaning the refrigerator is to empty it of food and drink and remove its drawers and racks. Emptying the refrigerator also allows you to check that nothing has expired and find forgotten items that could be contributing to the smelly refrigerator issue.

You don’t necessarily need to turn the refrigerator power off but it will make things easier, especially if you have a door alarm. The refrigerator can be unplugged or turned off at the breaker box. You may want to prepare a cooler for storing perishables while you’re cleaning the refrigerator.

2. Clean the refrigerator

The refrigerator’s drawers and racks should be washed with dish soap and warm water. If any stubborn stains, mold, or stuck-on food debris is present, bleach, vinegar, or baking soda can be used to clean them. Cleaning products are also available for the refrigerator or for mold and stubborn stains.

When choosing a cleaning product for the refrigerator, bleach is great for killing and removing mold, but it is also toxic and should not come into contact with food. Baking soda or white vinegar are both great for removing odors as well as unwanted mold and food residue. We recommend using baking soda or vinegar to do the majority of the cleaning and bleach if you come across some particularly hard-to-remove mold or food residue.

How to make a cleaning solution

Bleach: Mix a tablespoon of liquid bleach per gallon of water.

Baking Soda: Mix one cup of baking soda per gallon of water.

White Vinegar: Mix one part vinegar with one part water.

Once you’ve decided on your cleaning solution, put it into a spray bottle to help ease the cleaning process. A clean microfiber cloth or sponge should be used to clean the refrigerator; however, if you have debris in hard-to-clean nooks and crannies, consider using an old toothbrush to reach inside and clean those areas.

With the cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth, wipe the refrigerator down, starting at the top. Make sure to clean everything, the ceiling, the sides, the door gasket, the drip pan, and the outside of the refrigerator.

The door gasket is a common area where mold forms, often hiding under or inside the gasket. The outside of the refrigerator can also be an area where food residue and unpleasant odors are found without us realizing it.

The drip pan is usually located at the base of the refrigerator. Depending on the type of refrigerator, it can usually be accessed by removing the bottom grill and sliding the pan forward. The drip pan is another place where mold and bacteria can form without you realizing it. The drip pan should be cleaned with soap and water or a cleaning solution if mold and mildew are present.

3. Deodorize the refrigerator

After using either baking soda or vinegar to clean the refrigerator, most of the odors should have been eliminated.

However, if odors remain, or if you want to make absolutely sure the odor is gone, baking soda can be put on a baking sheet and placed in the refrigerator. The refrigerator door should be closed while the baking soda absorbs any remaining odors. When the odor is gone, you can remove the baking sheet with the baking soda.

To keep odors away, having an open container of baking soda or vinegar in the refrigerator will help absorb odors.

4. Air the refrigerator out

Once the cleaning is complete, ensure the smelly odors are gone by leaving the refrigerator off with the door open for a day. If you can’t do without the refrigerator for a day, try to give it at least two hours to air out. If, after airing the refrigerator for a day, remnants of the odor remain, wipe it down again with a baking soda or vinegar cleaning solution and let it air for another day.

5. Clean the evaporator

Depending on your refrigerator, the evaporator may be difficult to access. But if you can access it, cleaning the evaporator coil and fan will help remove odors. The evaporator is typically located at the back of the freezer compartment, where its fan helps produce cold air for the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Once you’ve completed the cleaning, deodorizing, and airing, it’s time to return the drawers, racks, food, and beverages to the refrigerator. If you’ve followed the steps above, you should now have an odor free, clean refrigerator.