How to Get Rid of Refrigerator Odor

People try all sorts of things to get bad odors out of their fridge. Here are some of the more popular methods and how they stack up.

Destroy Odor Compounds with NonScents Refrigerator Deodorizer

NonScents odor control technology seeks out and destroys odor causing compounds at the molecular level. Not only that, but produce stored near to the deodorizer can have its shelf life extended, as this same technology also helps fight spoilage-causing bacteria and mold growth.

Each deodorizer lasts up to six months and is easy to use – all you do is take the plastic box out of the outer bag, and put it in your fridge where you want to control odors (on shelves or in drawers).

Prevent Odors by Cleaning Your Fridge & Discarding Old Food

There’s only so much odor control solutions can do if the rotting food that’s causing the problem is still in residence. Check all the food in your fridge, and throw out everything that’s expired or growing something it shouldn’t. If you want to go further to try to fight the bad smells yourself, take everything out of the fridge and clean all the surfaces.

You may also want to clean your fridge’s drip pan (how you access this will depend on the fridge – check your manual).  In extreme odor problem cases you may even need to clean the condenser coils on the back.

Absorb Odors with Activated Charcoal or Baking Soda

Baking soda and charcoal deodorizers both work on the same principle – their contents are extremely porous and capture odor compounds. Unfortunately this effect is slow and very passive – the compounds either wander into the net or they don’t. Plus, activated charcoal needs to be recharged/refreshed (often by microwaving) and baking soda should be replaced every month (how many people actually remember to do that?).

If you’re fighting a particularly strong smell, try maximizing the effect by taking a baking sheet and spreading a thin layer of charcoal or baking soda across its surface. Put it in your fridge nearest to where you think the smell is coming from.  Exposing that much of the absorbing surface at once will increase its effectiveness.

Cover Odors with Other Odors using Coffee Grounds, Vinegar, or Fragrance Sprays

Putting open containers of coffee grounds or vinegar in your fridge, or spraying odor control fragrances or essential oils in there, will help cover up the bad smells by overwhelming them with good smells. We’re not fans of this particular method, because you’re not making the problem go away…you’re just making it different.