There is one appliance in your home whose importance trumps the rest – The functioning of your refrigerator determines whether or not you’ll be eating dinner tonight. But as many busy families know, the fridge is also the appliance that’s most likely to become messy and unsightly as leftovers pile up throughout the week. By the time you finally get a chance to clean the fridge, numerous smells from different items may be competing for your attention – and not in a good way. 

Even if you get rid of old food each week, your fridge may still collect stale odors because bacteria and mold build up on surfaces. The best way to nip this problem in the bud is to focus on cleaning and deodorizing your fridge. This way, when you add fresh groceries, they’ll stay fresh and appetizing all week long.

1. Use Airtight Containers

The first step is to eliminate the potential for strong food odors to permeate your fridge. One of the easiest ways to do this is to start using airtight containers – both for home-cooked meals and takeout leftovers. Be sure that anything pungent, like garlic or onion, is at least tucked away in its own separate compartment.

2. Use a Deodorizer

Baking soda is one of the most common deodorizers used in refrigerators and freezers. An open box of baking soda neutralizes odors and lasts several months. After this, you can still use it for various purposes, like bathroom cleaning. You can also purchase silica gel mats for the bottom bins of your fridge to absorb moisture and keep produce fresh longer.

3. Add a Natural Scent

There are plenty of cheap, natural ways to give your refrigerator a good scent, like placing a small bowl of ground coffee in your bridge. Some people use orange, lemon, or lime peels simply by tucking them in an open corner. You can also create a quick natural air freshener by combining baking soda, any essential oil, and water, simply placing a small bowl of it in your fridge.

4. Clean & Check the Drip Pan

If none of these steps do the trick, your fridge may need a deep clean. The inside of most refrigerators are made of plastic, and plastic absorbs smells easily. Use a cleaning spray and scrub the insides of the lower bins (and the fridge floor underneath the bins). 

Another possible cause of odor is your refrigerator’s drip pan, which collects condensation. Not every fridge has a drip pan, but if yours does, it can become moldy. If this is the case, simply remove the pan, scrub it with soap and water, and put it back in place. 

Follow all of these steps and you’ll be amazed by how much cleaner and fresher your fridge smells. 

Having trouble with your refrigerator? Whether your fridge isn’t staying cool, your ice maker has stopped working, or you need a part replaced, Appliance Doctor can help. If you live in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, or Chester County, we’ll look at any of your sick appliances and diagnose the problem.