Removing Odors From Refrigerators and Freezers

1. Clean the refrigerator weekly to reduce spoiled food odors.
2. Wash the interior of the refrigerator using a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda per gallon of warm water.
3. For manual defrost refrigerators, defrost when frost is about one-fourth inch thick.
4. Keep an opened box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors. (Replace every 6 weeks to 2 months.)
   • Store food in moisture- and vapor-proof materials.
   • Remove all air from packages before sealing carefully.
   • Remove and discard packaging materials immediately when you take food from the freezer or refrigerator.

To remove odors, choose one of the following cleaning materials. Warning: Combining two of these may develop a toxic fume, which could be fatal if inhaled.

• Vinegar - 1 cup per gallon of water
• Household ammonia - 1 cup per gallon of water
• Chlorine bleach - one-half cup per gallon of water
  Wash the refrigerator with the solution. Rinse with clear water and dry.

In some instances of power outages, the homemaker may be on vacation. Upon returning home, the owner faces a messy cleanup job on the refrigerator and freezer, only to find that, even after thorough cleaning, the refrigerator/freezer has a strong, objectional odor.

These odors are extremely difficult to remove. However, home economists have tested various methods and recommend using one or more of the following suggestions:

• Take out all removable parts and wash with warm water and mild soap or detergent. Also wash the gasket and door liner. Rinse well and dry.
• Wash the interior walls with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of water.
• Pour baking soda onto flat pans and place pans on refrigerator shelves to absorb odors.
• If you can get activated charcoal (sometimes available at an appliance store), it is usually quite effective. Spread activated charcoal onto flat pans and place on shelves inside the refrigerator. Let the refrigerator run empty for a few days to allow odors to be absorbed.
• Another method that helps odors disappear is the use of fresh ground coffee. Place the coffee in cereal bowls inside the refrigerator and allow the refrigerator to run for several days. A slight coffee odor may remain but will soon disappear after you have washed the inside of the refrigerator.
• Two other unconventional liquids that have been used successfully to wash refrigerators and freezers are tomato juice and any of the cola drinks. Use either the tomato juice or the cola undiluted; rinse thoroughly.
• Several commercial products are available for removal of refrigerator odors. You may get these from hardware, grocery, discount, and variety stores.

  If the above methods do not satisfactorily take care of odor problems, it may be that the wet drippings from meat or fish have leaked into the insulation. This problem requires service by a refrigerator technician, who may have to remove the liner and replace the insulation.

Information Sheet 1232
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Visit: DAFVM || USDA
Search our Site || Need more information about this subject?
Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Feb-09 14:06:28
URL: http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1232.htm
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution.
Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.