Stop the stench: 6 easy ways to keep your fridge smelling fresh

Does your refrigerator smell less-than-fresh? Yuck. Plus, if your fridge smells bad, you may worry that your appliance isn’t working properly. Asurion Experts know all about maintaining your fridge so it keeps your food fresh. We’ll share our best tips for how to make your fridge smell better. 

Benefits of a sweet-smelling fridge 

Besides the obvious upside of pleasant odors, a fridge that smells fresh offers other benefits, including keeping your food safe and your kitchen hygienic. If your fridge smells bad, some of your food may be contaminated and the foul stench can spread and affect the freshness and taste of other items. 

Clean your refrigerator regularly

Over time, spills, leaks, and food residue can build up in your fridge and lead to bad odors. So, it’s crucial to clean your appliance regularly. Make it a habit to mop up spills right away and wipe down shelves, drawers, and interior walls of your fridge at least once a month. For best results: 

1. Remove all food items and shelves from the fridge. 
2. Use a clean cloth or sponge dipped in a solution of warm water and mild dish soap and wipe down all surfaces, paying extra attention to crevices and corners.
3. Rinse the interior with clean water and dry it thoroughly before replacing the shelves and your food items.

Don’t skip heavy-duty cleaning

Deep cleaning of crucial parts of your fridge will help keep your appliance running well and unpleasant smells at bay. Don’t forget to empty and clean the drip pan or tray at the bottom of the fridge and let it dry before replacing it. Also, check out our guides on how to clean your refrigerator water line and how to easily clean your fridge coils. 

Change the water filter 

Make sure to swap out your refrigerator water filter at least every six months. This will make your water taste fresher and prevent contaminants from clogging the dispenser and causing nasty odors. 

Keep your fridge cold enough

Cold is key if you’re wondering how to make a refrigerator smell better. Check your thermostat settings to make sure your fridge is running at the right temperature. An ideal range is between 34 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think your fridge is too hot, check out our guide on how to troubleshoot a fridge that’s too warm. 

Store food properly

Proper food storage is essential for maintaining a fresh-smelling fridge. Here are a few tips: 

• Always cover leftovers and open containers with airtight lids or plastic wrap. 
• Store strong-smelling foods like fish, onions, and certain cheeses in separate compartments or airtight containers to prevent their aromas from spreading. 
• Make sure to remove spoiled food or expired items right away. 

Try a deodorizer

There are several deodorizers you can try to help keep your fridge smelling fresh. Here are a few of the most effective and how to use them:

Baking soda 

Baking soda keeps your fridge smelling fresh by absorbing and neutralizing odors. Here’s how to use it:

1. Place an open box of baking soda on a shelf in your fridge. Replace it every month or so. 
2. For tough odors, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Spread it onto the surfaces of your refrigerator and let it sit for a few hours before wiping it away. 
3. Sprinkle baking soda directly onto spills in your fridge to help neutralize odors before cleaning them up. 

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal, the food-grade, odorless variety available at health food stores or online, is an excellent natural deodorizer for your fridge. Try this:

1. Place a few pieces of activated charcoal in a small bowl placed on a shelf. 
2. Make sure it doesn’t make direct contact with food. 
3. Replace it every few months.  

Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are a natural and effective deodorizer. Got some used coffee grounds? Here’s how to repurpose them:

1. Fill a small, uncovered container with used, dry coffee grounds and place it on a shelf in your fridge.
2. Replace the coffee grounds every couple of weeks. 

Citrus peels 

Orange rinds or lemon peels give off a fresh aroma while absorbing bad smells in your fridge. Next time you peel some citrus fruit, save the peels. Then:

1. Place the peels in a small bowl or on a plate on your refrigerator shelf. 
2. Replace the peels when they dry out after a few days. 

Wondering if it’s safe to keep your food when you lose power? Check out our guide to how long food will last in your fridge or freezer after a power outage.