Refrigerator Odor
It’s a fact of life -- refrigerator odors do happen. In fact, they happen to almost everyone. The good news is that there is a way to get rid of that foul smell for good.
Refrigerator odor can be caused by a number of things. Sometimes, the drip pan underneath your fridge has to be changed. Other times this smell can be caused by food that has not been covered properly. If the old baking powder trick doesn’t work, it’s time to investigate that smell a bit further. If you are going away on vacation, have someone come in to your home to make sure that your food is not going to spoil while you are away. Now, let’s talk about how to remove that smell…
First, take everything out of your fridge and freezer. Throw away any items that are past their date. Remove any spoiled foods, and wash all parts of the fridge that can be removed. Rinse the fridge and shelves with soapy water, and then return the shelves after they have dried. The next thing to do is to locate the drip pan at the bottom of the fridge and clean it. Grab a flashlight in order to clean that pan…you are going to need it. Begin by removing the front panel that is covering the bottom half of the fridge. This panel can easily be done with a screwdriver or by hand. Next, look around inside the fridge with a flashlight for the pan.
Most pans are made out of plastic, and they all contain dirty water. Remove the pan carefully (don’t spill the water on your floor), and bring it to the sink. Wash the pan making sure that it does not contain any holes or cracks, then return the clean pan to the fridge. If you aren’t familiar with the baking soda trick mentioned above, purchase a box of baking soda, open it, and then place it inside of the fridge. The baking soda should absorb the small eliminating any refrigerator odor. It’s also a good idea to be sure that you don’t place fruits and vegetables on the same shelf, for this can cause a strong smell.
You don’t have to live with that smell seeping out of your fridge. Most of the time, fridge odors are caused by an old drip pan that needs to be changed, so begin by emptying the pan.
Refrigerator odor happens consistently, but it can be avoided. Take the time to investigate your fridge, and that smell will go away in a flash.