There's almost nothing that's quite as disgusting as the smell of a fridge containing moldy food. This can occur from time to time due to a food item that's gone bad, as well as our general neglect and lack of cleanliness. Luckily, however, getting rid of a terrible odor in your fridge is as easy as the methods outlined below:
Part 1: Cleaning
1. Turn off the refrigerator and unplug it.
2. Remove all the items from your fridge.
Throw away any food that's gone moldy.
3. Place any food you choose to keep in a cooler while you work.
Consider adding ice to better-preserve your food items.
4. Make a mixture of baking soda and warm water.
Dissolve half a cup of baking soda into a sink filled with warm water.
5. Take out all the shelves, bins and other removable parts.
It's located beneath the refrigerator. Exercise caution when removing it, because it will likely contain water. Remove the grill from beneath the doors, pull it out carefully and dump the contents.
6. Clean the drip tray.
It's located beneath the refrigerator. Exercise caution when removing it, because it will likely contain water. Remove the grill from beneath the doors, pull it out carefully and dump the contents.
Part 2: Using Odor-removers
1. Use baking soda.
Spread a box of baking soda across a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator. Keep the door closed until the smell disappears, then throw the baking soda away. If you want to counteract everyday odors, then it's a good idea to leave an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator at all times.
2. Add vinegar.
White vinegar is also highly effective for neutralizing the same smells as baking soda. Place an open cup of it in the fridge, or try mixing it with water as an effective cleaning solution.
3. Use oats as an odor-absorber.
Leaving a bowl of oats in your fridge will also help to suck up bad smells.
4. Use coffee grounds.
Place dry, fresh coffee grounds in several shallow bowls, or spread across baking sheets. Place the bowls or sheets in different levels of your refrigerator. The smell will dissipate within a few days.
5. Let activated charcoal absorb bad odors.
Use charcoal in a similar fashion to the coffee grounds method outlined above. Make sure you use activated charcoal as opposed to charcoal briquettes. Put the refrigerator temperature to low and leave the charcoal inside for several days. This will remove any odors from your fridge.
6. Use unscented chlorophyll cat litter.
Spread it in a shallow pan and leave in the refrigerator until the smell disappears.
