How to get rid of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator and prevent their recurrence? Natural odor absorbers, express remedies, and store-bought fresheners — in our review.
If the Refrigerator is New...
A refrigerator, like any new household appliance, has its own smell. To prevent it from mixing with the aroma of your favorite food, you need to eliminate the smell of the new refrigerator before use.
Use a warm solution of water with baking soda or any detergent for this purpose. Don't forget to clean the exterior parts of the refrigerator as well. Then, dry all surfaces thoroughly and leave the door open for a couple of hours to air out the working chambers. After that, you can confidently load the refrigerator with food.
...and if it’s Old
Even if you tightly close all jars and containers with food, over time the symphony of aromas from your refrigerator stops pleasing the sense of smell. Unidentified food items fill it with questionable notes. This means it's time to clean the refrigerator or at least clear the special drain hole inside the chamber (it tends to get clogged). Manufacturers usually recommend doing this procedure once a year.
Folk Remedies to Get Rid of Accumulated Odors
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Vinegar: Wipe the walls of the refrigerator with a cloth dampened in a vinegar solution (mix with water 50/50).
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Baking soda: Clean the refrigerator with a water solution of soda. Then, place an open container of baking soda inside and change it every 3 months. Baking soda effectively absorbs odors.
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Ammonia: This helps in the most severe cases when the refrigerator is cleaned but the smell remains. Wipe the inside walls of the refrigerator with ammonia and leave the door open all day.
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Charcoal or activated carbon: Crush a handful of charcoal, place it in a saucer, and leave it in the refrigerator for a day.
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Lemon juice: Clean the inside of the refrigerator or at least wipe it with a damp cloth with a drop of lemon juice.
Operation "Prevention"
To prevent odors in the future, food absorbents can help. Choose one from the list that you like, and let it settle in your refrigerator.
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Rye bread: Cut regular black bread into pieces and place them on several plates. Put one on each shelf of the refrigerator.
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Rice grains: Pour them onto a saucer and place it in the refrigerator.
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Cut onion, apple, and potato also absorb odors well. However, these natural absorbents will need to be changed every few days.
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Aromatic herbs and spices: By storing basil, turmeric, cloves, tarragon, cinnamon, celery, and thyme in the refrigerator, you prevent the formation of unpleasant odors. Vanilla extract can also help — if necessary, wipe the shelves with a cotton pad soaked in the aromatic liquid.
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Orange, lemon: You can use orange peels or lemon slices as air fresheners.
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Salt, sugar: Simply place an open container of salt or sugar in the refrigerator, and soon there will be no trace of the unpleasant odor.
A Note for the Housekeeper
Odor absorbers for refrigerators and cleaners-ionizers have long been available in stores. They absorb even the strongest odors from fish, garlic, and onions, while also ionizing the internal space of the refrigerator. Such household gadgets are not very expensive, starting from 300 rubles. So, it’s up to you to decide whether to pay for a lemon extract-based air freshener or just slice a lemon and leave it on a shelf in the refrigerator.
By the Way
Remember that the refrigerator should not be placed near a heating radiator or stove. Experts explain that the refrigerator will heat up from these heat sources and will consume more energy for cooling. This leads to higher electricity bills. Additionally, this adds extra load on the motor, which will wear out faster. Moreover, temperature fluctuations that inevitably occur every time you open the refrigerator door in such proximity can disrupt the microclimate in the chamber. As a result, food spoils faster.
Expert Opinion:
– If you use cleaning agents, pay attention to the composition.
Harmful Components: High concentration (over 5%) of anionic surfactants (SDS). They destroy the protective layer of the skin, cause allergies, and disrupt fat metabolism. Phosphates and phosphonates disrupt the acid-base balance of skin cells.
What to Choose: Household soap, use gloves.
How to Avoid Chemicals: Baking soda, mustard powder, dry coffee grounds. If possible, wash dishes in hot water immediately after use. You can make a good cleaning agent that thoroughly cleans greasy pans and glass: 100 g of household soap, 250 ml of water, ¼ pack of baking soda, mustard powder, ground lemon zest, and ground coffee (50 g each), 0.5 tsp of table vinegar, 15 ml of borax in glycerin (half a bottle). Instead of vinegar, you can use 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
