How to remove an unpleasant smell from the refrigerator?

The refrigerator is an essential element of the kitchen and provides comfort in matters of food. But there are a number of nuances and problems that can disrupt the harmony in the apartment, and the main one is an unpleasant smell, which sometimes happens even in new technology.

This nuisance applies to both old units and modern ones with No-Frost technology. The stench carries serious health problems and below will be explained why various odors appear in the refrigerator and how to remove them without resorting to the help of specialists.

So, why it appeared and how to eliminate an unpleasant smell in the refrigerator - further in our article.

Video: My Refrigerator Stinks! | How to FIX a Smelly Fridge

Causes of an unpleasant smell inside the refrigerator

Every phenomenon has its prerequisites and unpleasant miasms are only a consequence. Therefore, before wondering how to quickly get rid of extraneous odors in the refrigerator, you should understand why this happened.

There are different reasons for the formation of odor inside household appliances and they can be conditionally divided into 2 large categories:

• The first includes errors caused by the human factor, when the storage mode of products is violated.
• The second category involves various technical nuances, such as freon, low-quality components, or a long stay of equipment in a warehouse when they forgot to close the door tightly.

Spoilage and improper storage of products

The most common cause of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator is food related. The modern rhythm of life takes a lot of energy and sometimes people do not have time to cook food regularly, while products are purchased regularly. They have an expiration date and it is not always possible to keep track of the dates.

If you store baby food in a scented refrigerator, you should definitely use a baby bottle sterilizer to keep your dishes clean.

As a result, the appearance of not the most pleasant aromas and the risk of spoiling other food. Expired food exudes a repulsive smell, whether it is fermented juice or rotten vegetables and fruits.

There are also problems for those who are more attentive to the terms on the labels and periodically check the status of the contents. The point is improper storage and this is especially true for periods of big holidays. The hostesses prepare a huge variety of dishes and they are stored in the refrigerator for several more days.

But when the aroma is mixed even from delicious and fresh culinary delights, the effect is quite contradictory, and therefore, after the events, the question arises sharply - how can all this gastronomic splendor be brought out.

New technology

People often wonder why a new refrigerator smells of something incomprehensible.

The reason lies in the fact that any equipment from the factory smells of paint, components, various chemicals, etc. A new refrigerator is no exception, therefore, before connecting the equipment to the network and loading food with drinks, you need to find out how to wash the interior to start using the long-awaited new thing.

The secret is simple, just wipe it in the freezer and inside the shelves with walls with a soda solution and leave it with the doors open for 24 hours.

For lovers of natural yogurt, we recommend buying a good yogurt maker at home and enjoying 100% vitamins with the whole family. But how to choose the right yogurt maker and what to look for? We recommend that you read our article.

Freon problems

Not everyone knows what freon smells like, and refrigerant leaks also periodically occur in household appliances and cause a lot of inconvenience.

The gas used in modern technology does not have a pronounced odor and therefore it will not be possible to immediately identify the problem, although freon can be felt in some models, because a sweetish aroma hovers in the air.

Having understood how freon smells from the refrigerator and being able to diagnose the problem, you must immediately contact the master and fix the leak. After the system is restored, you can think about eliminating the consequences. Warm water and any detergent will help here. After that, the technique is left open for several hours and only then turned on.

Video: How to Clean a Smelly Fridge

Methods of dealing with unpleasant odors

You should not put off the decision indefinitely, and if an unpleasant smell appears, then you need to clearly understand how to remove it as soon as possible. After all, dubious aromas are carried throughout the apartment, not to mention the harm to health.

At the very least, expired foods can cause indigestion, and outgoing miasma negatively affects the respiratory system. In addition, do not forget about the development of various microorganisms, such as mold and fungus, which accelerates the wear of equipment.

Whatever the cause of the problem, the algorithm is as follows:

1. Disable.
2. Unfreeze.
3. Wash.
4. Dry.
5. Enable.

With shutdown and defrosting, everything is clear, even if it is No-Frost technology. But you need to choose a remedy for unpleasant odors wisely and you don’t have to have a big budget. Many housewives use what they definitely have in the house. Although the industry offers interesting solutions that help not only remove odors, but also prevent their occurrence. There is even a special fridge freshener. Plus, there are a lot of useful life hacks.

Folk remedies

Those who first encounter the question of how to get rid of the smell in the freezer and refrigerator are surprised when they find out about the products that were used at the dawn of the appearance of household appliances. Hostesses usually use:

• vinegar;
• lemon;
• ammonia;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• soda.

All this is definitely in the kitchen and in the first-aid kit.

A simple, effective and inexpensive way to wash is table vinegar, it must be diluted with water in the same proportion. It interrupts any smells with its harshness, while quickly eroding. Copes with dirt, mold, fungus.

Soda helps eliminate particularly repulsive miasma. It is mixed with water to a slurry state and with the help of a sponge they clean the shelves, drawers and other components of the refrigerator. It is often used as an absorbent because it absorbs unpleasant odors.

Ammonia removes dirt and dissolves fats, you only need a couple of drops per half liter of water and a soft cloth to wipe the surface. Due to the pungent odor, the treatment is carried out with a mask and gloves to prevent irritation of the skin and respiratory tract.

Hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on the walls of the interior space. After 5 minutes, everything is wiped dry with a towel.

What to do if all of the above is not available? Then a lemon lying in the bowels of the refrigerator will come to the rescue. It is enough to squeeze a few drops of juice onto a sponge and it will cope with the problem no worse than a solution of table vinegar.

Factory products

Not every housewife wants to mess around with solutions, because today there are many innovative solutions that can eliminate unnecessary odors in the refrigerator and even increase the period of time during which food remains fresh.

More and more people are choosing special ozonizers designed to fight odors.

This is not just an absorber, it releases ozone in parallel. The gas is effective in combating germs and other unwanted microorganisms. Literally, half an hour after activation, the refrigerator will be fragrant with freshness.

There is a more affordable solution - refrigerator freshener. It works like a filter. Inside the body is an adsorbent, often based on coal. It absorbs odors and maintains an ideal microclimate inside. The service life of the freshener is several weeks, which is the main disadvantage.

Gel-based solutions are popular, as it evaporates, it absorbs miasms. There are means for spraying, they are based on a plant extract. Use is allowed after washing equipment, before loading products.

Video: How to get rid of bad odors in your refrigerator.

Cleaning the freezer

Somewhat less often, there is a smell in the freezer and not everyone knows how to get rid of it, after all, this is a more specific part of the technique. It will take more time and effort.

1. It is imperative to defrost so that the surface is completely thawed.
2. Next, the space is freed from products and accessories.
3. When choosing how to wash the camera, you need to focus on the reason for starting the procedure. If this is a new refrigerator, then a solution of laundry soap will do, it is additionally recommended to wipe everything with vinegar.

The same set can be used for scheduled cleaning.

But in the case of rotten food, primarily meat and fish, not everyone knows how to get rid of the smell in the freezer, since such a problem looks like a real disaster. Although the task is not so impossible.

For processing, it is better to take a solution of vinegar, soda with salt or ammonia. It is important to wash everything thoroughly, including all corners and even seals, in order to remove the slightest traces of missing products.

Tips for preventing unwanted scents

It is important not only to know how to treat the refrigerator. Prevention is key, because prevention is easier than cure. The rules are quite simple and do not require much time, not to mention financial.

Regular washing is mandatory. Plain warm water and standard detergents are sufficient. Indeed, in a clean refrigerator, food is stored better.

Drainage runoff requires special attention. Over time, it becomes clogged with dirt, which can cause the formation of specific aromas. Here you have to tinker a little, it is usually located along the rear wall at different heights depending on the model of the equipment.

Another fundamental rule is the storage rules. Everything should be sent to the refrigerator with packaging. Even strawberries or apples should have a plastic bag, what to say about ready-made food, the aroma from which all the neighbors in the stairwell can hear. For this, there are special trays and containers that close tightly. You can not leave food in pots without covering them with lids.

It does not hurt to ask what to put in the refrigerator from an unpleasant smell, because many products are natural absorbents. All unnecessary coffee beans absorb into themselves, acting as carbon-based filters. Often on the shelves you can find rye bread, rice, chopped vegetables and fruits. Aromatic additives and spices will do.

If you still have trouble, then do not despair, because it is quite simple to rid the refrigerator of unwanted aromas. It is enough to follow simple instructions and the problem will be solved as quickly as possible, and in most cases you won’t even have to leave the house.

Video: 5 Ways to Remove Fridge Odor Naturally

FAQ

What can be put in the refrigerator so that it does not have an unpleasant smell?

For this, products that everyone has on hand are suitable. You can pour soda, coffee, sugar or salt into an open container. Activated carbon can effectively eliminate unwanted odors, which should be crushed beforehand.

How to get rid of the smell in the refrigerator folk remedies?

To save money, you can use folk remedies. Easily and quickly remove unwanted odors with a solution of vinegar or ammonia. Lemon does an excellent job of cleaning. Experts also recommend using hydrogen peroxide.

Why does the fridge smell bad?

There are several reasons for the smell. It can be a spoiled product or a mixture of flavors from different dishes. A new refrigeration unit often emits an unpleasant miasma, especially inexpensive models. Less commonly, the root of the problem lies in the refrigerant and freon leakage.

How to get rid of the smell of rotten meat in the refrigerator?

Rotten meat can cause a gag reflex, and removing the consequences of such an incident is not easy. The refrigerator will have to be defrosted and other foods soaked with rotten meat thrown away. Next, the camera is washed with warm water, soda / ammonia / vinegar / potassium permanganate / hydrogen peroxide or household chemicals are used.

Video: How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your Refrigerator?

Hi all! In this blog we post useful information on the topic why it appeared and how to eliminate an unpleasant smell in the refrigerator. If you have questions or ideas that we did not cover in our article, write about it in the comments.

Rate the author

( 2 votes, average 5 out of 5 )