How to get rid of the smell in the refrigerator: popular ways to get rid of stench

The refrigeration unit often becomes a hotbed of unpleasant aromas, so sooner or later, any housewife has to think about how to get rid of the smell in the refrigerator.

First of all, it is necessary to deal with the causes of its occurrence, and then choose among various options the optimal solution, starting with folk remedies and ending with the use of household chemicals. And what could be the reasons and how to deal with the unpleasant odor in this case? We will discuss all issues in detail in this publication.

Causes of unpleasant odors

The stench from the refrigerator can be triggered by various factors. Often it appears when storing products without containers or packaging.

Food with a characteristic odor, such as fish, quickly spreads it, which will soon cause the entire compartment to smell sweet.

The danger is the storage of products for a long time. It must be remembered that low temperature slows down the process of decay, but can not radically stop it.

The rules and storage temperature of popular products are discussed in next article.

If the refrigerator openly stores foods and semi-finished products with a specific aroma, a very quickly closed refrigerator will fill with its not always pleasant smell

Food spoilage may occur if the refrigeration equipment does not maintain the required temperature due to breakage or incorrect settings.

An extremely unpleasant factor is a malfunction of the refrigeration unit or a power outage. This can lead to spoilage of the contents of the main and freezer chambers, which will cause rapid development of microorganisms and a stable "cadaverous" smell.

Sometimes the reason for the appearance of a stench may be irregular or poor-quality washing of the refrigerator. If it is rarely or insufficiently cleaned, colonies of bacteria or fungi may appear on the work surface, in the drainage system or on the rubber door seals. Detailed refrigerator care briefing will help to avoid such a problem.

The appearance of odors is also promoted by the random loading of shelves. In this case, it is difficult to control the state of stocks, while even a small moldy piece of bread or rotten fish can produce a disgusting aroma.

The cause of an unpleasant odor from the freezer can be a large number of products stored in it, which prevents the free circulation of air

The newly purchased household appliances have a peculiar smell of plastic. This is especially true for inexpensive aggregates, for the manufacture of which not very high-quality polymers are used.

However, many consumers complain about the production aroma, which is felt even near the elite models of reputable brands.

Folk ways to combat “aromas”

There are many improvised tools to effectively refresh the air in a confined space.

To flavor the interior of the refrigerator, it’s good to put a slice of lemon or other citrus fruit in a closed chamber at night

Option # 1 - cleaning and disinfecting compounds

Well-known substances widely used in households will help to neutralize aromas.

An effective way to disinfect, clean and absorb stench can be to wipe the shelves and walls with a solution of 6% vinegar, taken in equal proportions with water.

To enhance the action, it is also recommended to put a container with this composition or with a piece of cotton wool richly moistened in it for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.

A strong vinegar solution is undesirable if an antibacterial coating is applied to the working surfaces of the refrigerator. It is also advisable to make sure the use of vinegar for the surface of household appliances is safe by applying a small amount of the product in an inconspicuous area

No less effective is lemon juice. For cleaning, it is recommended to mix one part of squeezed citrus and two parts of water. A pronounced disinfectant effect is possessed by a mixture consisting of 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed juice with 10 tbsp. l vodka.

Teaspoon ammonia per liter H₂O (water) will effectively eliminate pollution and bacteria from the surface of the refrigerator, so that you can even get rid of severe stench. After processing, the chamber should be well ventilated, leaving the door open for several hours.

Option # 2 - absorbents from improvised means

This category includes substances that can effectively absorb odors. Their list is quite large. A proven drug is considered charcoal: its pieces in a saucer are placed inside the chamber. An alternative is 8-10 tablets of powdered activated carbon.

An effective absorbent that collects and neutralizes negative odors is coal, which can be placed on a saucer or loaded into a suspended container

Good Stench Absorber - Normal dry rice. Two handfuls of cereal are poured into a bowl or other container, which should be changed every two days.

As an adsorbent can act Rye breadsliced ​​in thin slices and laid out in the corners of the refrigerator. The same role can be played raw potato slices or half apple.

Adsorbent products are placed for 10-12 hours, otherwise they themselves will become sources of infection and the spread of odor.

To achieve an effective result, before using any method, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the refrigeration unit and dry it

An effective means of absorbing "aromas" is baking soda. The powder fills the saucers, which are placed on one or more shelves of the refrigerator.

Salt has the same effect, while it is better to give preference to its large-crystalline modification.

Option # 3 - homemade odor control products

Here are two home recipes for effective drugs that have absorbent and refreshing properties.

Recipe # 1 - Soda + Lemon

A small lemon or lime is cut into two halves, the pulp is removed. Soda is poured into the resulting “cups”, which can be replaced with chopped wood or activated carbon.

Filled peels in suitable coasters are installed on the shelves of the refrigerator, where they are kept for a week.

To prepare the simplest means to neutralize the unpleasant aroma in the refrigerator, you will need soda and lemon - inexpensive ingredients that are always on sale

Recipe # 2 - Epsom Salt + Soda

A glass of magnesia sulfate (Epsom salt) is mixed with the same amount of baking soda. The mixture is irrigated with a tablespoon of water and 5 drops of essential oil of citrus or tea tree. The resulting composition is laid out in open jars and placed inside the unit.

Presented aromatic mixtures are easy to prepare and use. With their help, you can effectively resolve the question of how to quickly and efficiently remove bad breath from refrigerators of different brands.

Option # 4 - Natural Flavors to Mask Odor

This type of product includes substances that have a strong pleasant aroma. They do not eliminate odors, and even more so do not destroy the causes of their occurrence, but mask them well enough.

To overcome extraneous "aroma" will help dry spices and fragrant herbs. Cinnamon tubes, cloves, turmeric, dried basil or thyme are well suited for this purpose. The selected spice or a mixture of spices is poured into a salt shaker, which is placed open in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, after which its contents are replaced with a new one.

Coffee in the form of beans or ground powder is often used to freshen the air in the refrigerator. You can also put a cup of freshly brewed drink on the shelf, after turning off the equipment

Popular home flavors are dried lemon or orange peels, coffee, and pomegranate peel.

Some authors of home councils suggest to apply for driving an unpleasant "aroma" bow or garlic. These vegetables certainly have a pronounced smell, as well as phytoncide properties that contribute to the destruction of bacteria. At the same time, their fragrance can hardly be called pleasant, so care must be taken when using it.

A review of household chemicals to combat stench

To freshen the air in the refrigerator, there are a large number of finished products produced by domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Means and preparations of factory manufacture are fully prepared for use, convenient to use, effective in action

Preparations for cleaning and disinfecting

Products manufactured by the chemical industry include special wet wipes, cleansing sprays and gels, as well as flavorings and absorbent adsorbents.

As examples, such popular tools as:

• OdorGone;
• Top house;
• Oro Fix 02012;
• Clean Home;
• ZOOL ZL-377.

Next, we consider these drugs in more detail.

Remedy # 1 - Top House

Quality products for the care of household appliances offers a well-known German manufacturer Top House.

In addition to individual funds, Top House's assortment includes a convenient and functional set of three popular products: napkins, cleaning spray and air freshener

Among them are napkins made of environmentally friendly materials. In dry form they are used to remove static stress, and in wet form - to get rid of complex contaminants, including stains of fat.

An effective preparation is a freshener that does not require rinsing. With it, you can not only thoroughly clean all the corners of the unit, including rubber parts, but also eliminate unpleasant odors.

Remedy # 2 - OdorGone

Water-based OdorGone odor neutralizers allow you to quickly get rid of the stench. Produced in a wide assortment of products, they are used not only for domestic purposes, but also for aromatization of air in airplanes, administrative buildings, and public places.

The versatile OdorGone odor neutralizer is suitable not only for removing annoying odors in the refrigerator, but also for eliminating the vast gamut of a variety of negative odors that sometimes manifest themselves in everyday life

The certified products of this company, undergoing strict control, are characterized by impeccable environmental friendliness. They are completely safe for health and are recommended for use even in child care facilities.

Remedy # 3 - ZOOL ZL-377

Cleaning agent ZOOL ZL-377 is packaged in a convenient bottle equipped with a spray bottle on which a child lock is provided. A perfume-free spray neutralizes even complex odors, and also allows you to easily remove various stains.

ZOOL ZL-377 perfectly disinfects surfaces: it not only eliminates microorganisms and fungi, but also prevents the development of mold. The product is non-toxic, and does not leave stains on the walls after use.

ZOOL ZL-377 is suitable for the care of the refrigerator and freezer, as well as for the outer surface of refrigeration equipment

Remedy # 4 - Oro Fix 02012

Oro Fix 02012 is a cleaning product designed to treat internal and external surfaces. Thanks to the conveniently shaped bottle, the product can be easily applied to a separate section of the refrigeration unit, including rubber gaskets.

The spray penetrates deep into the impurities and dissolves them, completely without damaging the coating. At the same time as removing stains and disinfecting the compartment, it allows you to neutralize even stubborn odors. An important advantage is the budget cost.

Remedy # 5 - Clean Home

The gel-like refrigerator care product from the Clean Home product line has an expanded composition, including hydrogen peroxide, as well as active oxygen ions. This contributes to the effective elimination of microbes, and also gives the surface a whiteness, removing even old spots.

To clean the refrigerator and eliminate the negative odor, you can use a variety of dishwashing detergents and oven cleaners. It is important that they do not contain abrasive particles that can damage the surface.

The composition, which does not require flushing, not only facilitates cleaning, but also helps to get rid of odors, adding a touch of freshness to the air of the working chamber.

Absorbents and Flavors

In addition to cleaning products, manufacturers offer a wide selection of adsorbents and fragrances that are placed on the shelves of units or glued to the walls of the compartment.

In stores and departments of household chemicals you can find a huge assortment of air fresheners with different colors and designs.

The active substance of odor absorbing devices - adsorbents - is usually a filler that is impregnated with a composition that includes the smallest particles of charcoal or activated carbon.

The main categories of such drugs include:

1. Air fresheners with dispenser. The kit for such a device includes interchangeable filters, which allows you to change the source unit as soon as the coal ceases to absorb unpleasant odors that have settled in the refrigerator. Two packages are offered, each of which is designed for 2 months.
2. Freshener Balls. Budget devices with silicone gel inside. As a rule, a set of three areas is enough for a whole year.
3. Egg absorbers. Convenient devices that can be used both as an adsorbent and as an indicator. If the temperature inside the compartment is not allowed to increase, the color of the device changes from blue to white.
4. Gel adsorbents. The composition of such funds includes lemon extract and extract from algae, and silver ions are added to some modifications, which gives the mixture a disinfecting effect. The gel is poured into transparent containers, allowing you to monitor its consumption, and is placed in the working chamber for quick absorption of odors.

All kinds of industrial air fresheners with a rich smell have gained great popularity.

Ionizers and Ozonizers for Odor Control

It is also worth mentioning separately ionizers and ozonizers. Such devices are distinguished by excellent disinfecting properties and effectively fight the “incense” that has appeared.

During the action of ozonizers or ionizers, it is undesirable to open the refrigerator. By letting in fresh air, you can reduce the efficiency of these devices that destroy germs and unpleasant odors.

Some modern models of refrigerators initially have ozone processing functions. If this option is not available, a high-tech device can be purchased separately, and then attached in the interior.

Eliminate odor from the new unit

To get rid of the “aroma” of plastic inherent in new household appliances, it is enough to carry out a set of simple measures.

First of all, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the product with warm water, adding soda or detergent. This helps eliminate odors and allows you to sanitize work surfaces.

Particular attention requires a new refrigerator. Before connecting to the network, it must be thoroughly washed inside and out, and then dried well

It is recommended to leave the prepared refrigerator with the door ajar for 1-2 days for full ventilation, and only then turn on the device in the mains. For additional disinfection, the chamber can be treated with alcohol or vodka.

Stench Removal

Polymers have the unpleasant feature of quickly absorbing various flavors, which can be removed with great difficulty. It is especially difficult to get rid of the stench that has soaked up rotten meat and spoiled fish, which happens when a power outage occurs during a prolonged absence of the owners.

To remedy the situation, first of all, you need to turn off the refrigerator and get rid of products. After this, it is necessary to thoroughly treat its inner and outer surface with water and vinegar or a detergent.

Particular attention should be paid to the following elements:

• state of the sewage system;
• containers for draining water;
• rubber parts.

It is also advisable to move the equipment to clean the floor well, while it is better to use special preparations to neutralize odors.

With strong “fragrances”, the procedure is recommended to be repeated several times for at least 2-5 days, while the refrigerator door, as well as the window in the room, are best left open.

If the stench is not cleaned even after regular washes, it is necessary to disassemble the waste mechanism. It is better to entrust this operation to the masters by contacting a service center.

At least twice a year, you must completely defrost the device. The main working chamber is recommended to be cleaned weekly

After processing, it is advisable to place a saucer with absorbent agents on each shelf and / or place flavorings.

With a pronounced stench, it is better to give preference to industrial preparations that have a more pronounced effect.

Getting rid of mold and its fragrance

Moldy fungi bring a lot of trouble, colonies of which can settle in the refrigerator. They are not only sources of unaesthetic spots and a musty spirit, but they can also cause allergies, diseases of the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract.

To get rid of mold yourself, you can use a combination of soda and vinegar. It is enough to wipe the surface with a soda solution, and then apply a solution of vinegar; rinse off the mixture preferably after a while. It is better to dry the processed shelves and walls with an ultraviolet lamp or a hair dryer with a stream of hot air.

Since the smell of mold quickly eats into the plastic, even after removing it, it is worth using adsorbents and / or flavors.

When processing surfaces, do not use products made on the basis of toxic substances, such as copper sulfate. In this case, even a thorough washing does not guarantee the safety of the products.

Prevention of odors

In order to always smell fresh in the refrigerator, it is enough to observe a number of elementary rules. First of all, it is necessary to regularly process the main chamber, not forgetting the rubber gasket and work units.

Despite the No Frost system, it should be periodically defrost the refrigeratorwell cleaning its surface.

The freezer also requires attention. The surface of the compartment, as well as containers and trays, must be regularly washed with special preparations or water with the addition of vinegar

It is important to store products on shelves in a strict order. This will allow you to notice supplies with expiring dates on time. To prevent odors, food should be placed closed: in containers, bags, cling film, foil.

Boxes for fruits and vegetables should always be dry; the fruits that you plan to put in the refrigerator must also be thoroughly wiped.

The humidity level in the refrigerator should be controlled. Condensation on the walls of the unit provokes the development of microorganisms and the growth of mold, which causes unpleasant odors.

Spilled liquids on the shelves of the refrigerator - milk, stock, jam syrup - must be collected immediately with a rag.

Each product in the refrigerator should be stored in a designated place in a sealed container or neatly packed bag.

Before long trips, it is advisable to completely empty the equipment chambers, especially if the apartment is left unattended.

In the absence of owners, accidental damage can have fatal consequences, leading to spoilage of a large number of products and a difficultly stubborn stink. We talked about the causes of breakdowns and how to repair them in this stuff.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video below describes the most effective ways to eliminate unpleasant odors:

To prevent unpleasant odors that may appear in the refrigerator, it is important to pay special attention to preventative measures.

At the first sign of a stink, it is necessary to find out the cause of its occurrence and take measures to eliminate it. Then, without delay, you should treat the surface using one of the folk or industrial means and place an adsorbent or air freshener.

And what methods do you use to get rid of odors in the refrigerator chamber? Share your secrets with other visitors to our site in the comments section.

If you can’t get rid of the annoying bad smell, ask other owners of refrigerators for advice.Ask your questions below under the article, and our experts and site visitors who have successfully solved this problem will share their experiences.