11 non-toxic fixes for your refrigerator smells when your fridge smells bad Bhanu Family 11 non-toxic fixes for your refrigerator smells when your fridge smells bad Bad smells in the fridge are not only unappetizing. they can also lead to a health hazard. If your refrigerator is starting to smell, don’t worry – there are many non-toxic ways to get rid of the odour. In this blog post, we’ll explore 11 non-toxic fixes for your refrigerator smells when your fridge smells bad. From using natural ingredients to cleaning out the refrigerator coils, we’ve got you covered! Smell check | Clean the condenser coils | Eliminate bad smells | Air out a smelly fridge | Deodorize naturally | Empty the fridge | Deep-clean | Clean the refrigerator drip pan | Activated charcoal | Vanquish smells | Eliminate Odors with Oatmeal You open your fridge and are immediately hit with a wave of smelly air. Refrigerator smells are never pleasant, but they can be extra concerning because they usually indicate that food has gone bad. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to get rid of smelly fridge odours for good. Your fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home – it keeps your food fresh and prevents spoilage. But even the best fridges can sometimes develop unpleasant smells. If your fridge is starting to stink, don’t panic! There are a number of simple and effective ways to get rid of bad smells, without resorting to toxic chemicals. By nrd / Unsplash Copyrights Steps to get rid of refrigerator smells Steps to get rid of refrigerator smells: Do you open your refrigerator and are greeted with an unpleasant smell? If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Even the most well-kept refrigerators can start to develop funk after a while. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to banish bad smells for good. 1. Do the smell check for freshness Smell check for freshness in the refrigerator is a easy way to help you save money and keep your family safe from foodborne illnesses. Here’s how to do it: Open the fridge door and take a big whiff. If anything smells off, it’s time to toss it. Check meat, poultry, and seafood first, since these items spoil more quickly than other foods. Smell check and expiry date check on dairy products, too. Milk, cheese, and yogurt can all go bad quickly if they’re not stored properly. Smell check eggs by cracking one open and giving it a sniff. If it smells bad, throw it out. Finally, smell check any pre packaged or processed foods. If they smell off or have expired, don’t eat them. By doing a smell check for freshness every week, you can make sure your food is safe to eat and avoid wasting money on groceries that you’ll end up throwing away. 2. Clean the condenser coils of the refrigerator By Ello / Unsplash Copyrights The condenser coils on your refrigerator play an important role in keeping your appliance running efficiently. By helping to release heat, the coils help the fridge maintain a consistent temperature. Over time, however, the coils can become clogged with dust and debris, which can impede their ability to release heat. As a result, your fridge may have to work harder to maintain a cool temperature, which can lead to higher energy bills. Cleaning the coils on a regular basis can help to keep your fridge running smoothly. Surprisingly, you can use natural ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen to clean the coils. One method is to mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it to thoroughly wet the coils. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, then use a brush to scrub away any dirt or debris. Rinse the coils with water and dry them with a soft cloth. You can also use baking soda to clean the coils. Simply mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of warm water and apply it to the coils with a sponge. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off and dry the coils with a cloth. Cleaning the condenser coils regularly will help your refrigerator run more efficiently and keep your food cold. So next time you notice yor refrigerator acting up, reach for some vinegar or baking soda and give the coils a good cleaning. Note: Most modern refrigerators have their condenser coils located behind a panel at the back of the fridge. To access and clean the coils, you’ll need to first unplug your refrigerator and then remove the panel. Once the panel is off, you should be able to see the coils. Use a brush or vacuum attachment to clean any dust or debris from the coils. Be sure to also clean any buildup from the area around the coils. Once you’re finished, replace the panel and plug your fridge back in. With regular cleaning, you can keep your fridge running efficiently and help it to last longer. 3. Check and clean the freezer Bad smells in the freezer can be caused by a build-up of food particles, mould or mildew. To get rid of bad smells, you’ll need to give your freezer a good clean. First, empty out your freezer and unplug it. Then, wash all the shelves and interior surfaces with hot soapy water. If there is any build-up of mould or mildew, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean it off. Once everything is clean and dry, plug the freezer back in and put your food back inside. You should also make sure to keep your freezer clean and tidy on a regular basis to prevent bad smells from returning. 4. Air out a smelly fridge for 30 minutes By Gantas Vaičiulėnas / Unsplash Copyrights Air out a smelly refrigerator for 30 minutes by taking everything out, wiping down all the shelves and surfaces, and then leaving the door open for 30 minutes. If you have time, do this in the morning so that the fridge has a chance to air out all day. If you can’t do it in the morning, try to do it in the afternoon or evening. Make sure to put all the food back in the fridge before Air out a smelly fridge for 30 minutes ends so that it doesn’t spoil. Air out a smelly fridge for 30 minutes at least once a week to keep it smelling fresh. 5. Deodorize naturally By Sandra Seitamaa / Unsplash Copyrights The fridge is one of the hardest working appliances in the home. It’s always running, and it’s constantly being opened and closed. Over time, it can start to develop a less than fresh smell. If this is the case in your home, there are a few simple steps you can take to deodorize your fridge naturally. Start by emptying out the fridge and giving it a good clean. Wipe down all the shelves and drawers, and make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Once it’s clean, you can start to tackle the odors. A bowl of baking soda placed on one of the shelves is a great way to absorb strong smells. You can also place a small dish of vinegar in the fridge. This will help to neutralize any lingering odors. Finally, be sure to keep the fridge clean and tidy on a regular basis. A little bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way when it comes to keeping your fridge smelling fresh! 6. Empty the fridge for a good look at its contents There are a few things you can do to Empty the fridge for a good look at its contents. You can first take everything out and put it on the counter. Once everything is out, you can start sorting through it. You can make a pile of things that need to be used up soon, a pile of things that can be kept for a little longer, and a pile of things that need to be thrown out. This will help you to get a good idea of what you have and what you need to use up. It will also help you to see if there is anything that needs to be thrown out because it has expired. Once you have sorted through everything, you can put the things back in the fridge in an organized way so that you can easily find what you need when you need it. 7. Deep-clean the fridge interior with baking soda or bleach solution By JESHOOTS.COM / Unsplash Copyrights Spring is the perfect time for a deep clean of your fridge. And while you could use harsh chemicals to get the job done, there are some natural solutions that work just as well – if not better. Baking soda, for instance, is a great way to absorb odors and leave your fridge smelling fresh and clean. To deep clean the interior of your fridge, mix baking soda with water to form a paste, then apply it to surfaces with a sponge or brush. Let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. White vinegar is another excellent natural cleanser – and it’s especially effective at cutting through grease and grime. To use it, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and use it to scrub down all surfaces in your fridge. Finally, hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant that can kill bacteria and viruses – making it ideal for use in the kitchen. Dilute hydrogen peroxide with water (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water), and use it to wipe down all surfaces in your fridge. Allow the solution to air-dry for best results. 8. Clean the refrigerator drip pan The drip pan is located under the refrigerator and it catches water that drips from the refrigerator. The water collects in the pan and evaporates. If the pan is not cleaned regularly, the water can build up and cause mold or mildew to grow. To clean the drip pan, first remove any food or debris from the pan. Next, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread the paste on the pan and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, rinse the pan with water. For a deeper clean, mix white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together and pour it over the drip pan. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it clean. Be sure to dry the pan thoroughly before replacing it under the refrigerator. 9. Eliminate fridge odors with activated charcoal By mommyandlove / Pixabay Copyrights If you’ve ever had your fridge start to smell, you know how unpleasant it can be. Food can start to taste bad, and the odor can be really hard to get rid of. The good news is that activated charcoal can help to eliminate fridge odors. Activated charcoal is a type of carbon that has been treated to make it very porous. This makes it great for adsorbing odors. To use activated charcoal to eliminate fridge odors, simply place a few pieces in an open container in your fridge. You’ll need to replace the activated charcoal every few weeks. If you have trouble finding activated charcoal, you can usually find it at health food stores or online. Give it a try the next time you’re dealing with pesky fridge odors – you’ll be glad you did! 10. Vanquish the smell of vinegar By Walls.io / Unsplash Copyrights If you’ve just finished cleaning your fridge and the strong smell of vinegar is lingering, there are a few things you can do to get rid of it quickly. First, open up all the doors and windows to help ventilate the area. Then, place a bowl of baking soda in the fridge to absorb any residual odors. You can also try placing a small dish of vanilla extract or freshly ground coffee beans in the fridge to mask the smell of vinegar. Finally, be sure to wash all surfaces with soap and water after cleaning to remove any traces of vinegar. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to vanquish those vinegar smells in no time! 11. Eliminate the odor with oatmeal No one likes a smelly fridge, but sometimes no matter how hard you try, odors just seem to linger. If you’re looking for an all-natural way to eliminate fridge odors, oatmeal may be the solution you’re looking for. Here’s how it works: the oatmeal absorbs the odors in the fridge, leaving it smelling fresh and clean. All you need to do is place a bowl of oatmeal in the fridge, and let it do its job for 24 hours. After that, just discard the oatmeal and enjoy your fresh-smelling fridge! Final thoughts By Old Youth / Unsplash Copyrights final thoughts on cleaning the fridge using baking soda, white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate bad smell: If you’ve tried everything else and still can’t get rid of that lingering fridge smell, it’s time to break out the big guns. Baking soda, white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are all powerful odor-eliminators that can work wonders on even the stinkiest fridge. Just be sure to use them safely and follow all manufacturer’s instructions. And once you’ve gotten rid of that pesky smell, be sure to keep your fridge clean. 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