That the refrigerator emits certain is completely normal. When different foods, raw and cooked, coexist in a small, humid space with little entry of fresh air, It is difficult not to notice a more or less strange smell when opening the refrigerator door..
To reduce this normal odor, you should always store food in airtight containers and, if possible, store vegetables and fruits in the vegetable compartment, where the smell is somewhat contained. Some home remedies to deodorize the refrigerator can also help.
But if the refrigerator really stinks, Normally it is not the food that is responsible. After all, spoiled food can be quickly identified as the source of the bad smell and eliminated.
When the refrigerator gives off an unusual smell
When the bad smell in the refrigerator is out of the ordinary, then you have to look for other sources of odor. Simply dedicated to masking odors does not solve the problem.
In these cases we recommend combine the search for the cause of the odor with thorough cleaning from the refrigerator.
Cleaning can often be enough to eliminate the problem because it will at least eliminate any obvious sources of odor (mold, food debris, etc.).
Where to look if the refrigerator smells very bad
When cleaning the refrigerator, you should pay special attention to specific areas that are often overlooked. The bad smell can come from inside the appliance but it can also come from the back. So, when faced with a bad smell that does not come from food, check each of these elements or corners:
1. Drain channel and drain opening – are they clogged?
They are located inside the refrigerator in the lower area of the rear wall. The channel and the small drainage hole serve to remove the condensation that regularly forms inside the refrigerator.
The gutter and gap must be free of food debris. and must not be blocked under any circumstances to prevent the formation of odors. The drain opening can be thoroughly cleaned, for example, with a cotton swab.
2. Drip tray: Has any liquid been spilled?
The drip tray It is located at the back of the refrigerator, near the bottom. This is where condensation water is directed from the inside (through the drain channel and drain opening) to evaporate naturally.
Unfortunately, The drip tray is not easily accessible, especially in built-in refrigeratorssince it is located behind or below the device.
However, this area pcan quickly become a source of bad odor if, for example, milk is spilled in the refrigerator, It goes down the drain into the container behind the closet and starts to mold there.
If you are having trouble locating the drip tray on your refrigerator, The appliance’s instruction manual will help you.
3. Condenser: Is it dirty or damaged?
It is about the tube rack located at the back of the device that extracts heat from the refrigerator. If the condenser is dusty, is sticky or dirtythis, together with the heat generated at this point, can cause unpleasant odors.
If what you notice is a burning or scorched smellthe source of the bad smell is probably that the electrical system of the device is damaged. Only a faulty refrigerator generates so much heat that something could burn. In this case, do not touch any electronic components and do not continue using the appliance until it has been examined and repaired by a professional.
4. Under the refrigerator: How long has it been since you cleaned the floor?
Not only in freestanding refrigerators, but also in built-in ones, directly under the refrigerator Dust, dirt and, above all, food debris can accumulate.
If liquid gets in, it can get moldy and produce a bad smell.
It may seem like it hasn’t been that long since you last cleaned under the refrigerator, but you’d be surprised how quickly dirt accumulates at floor level.
Common culprits of bad odor
A common culprit when the refrigerator smells bad is spilled milk, cream or other dairy products that have accumulated under the vegetable compartment, in the gap under the refrigerator, in the drain channel or in the drip tray.
Due to its light color, milk (product) residue is often overlooked when cleaning. If left unnoticed, they quickly produce a strong, sour odor. Fortunately, the cause can be quickly removed with water, a cloth, and some cleaning vinegar.
Home remedies against normal refrigerator odor
Once you have found and eliminated all sources of bad odor, you can Put something in the refrigerator that will absorb future odors. We recommend three simple home remedies.
- Put dry coffee grounds or some coffee powder on a saucer in the refrigerator. Coffee not only smells good, but it neutralizes other aromas.
- Cut a lemon in half and place it cut side up in the refrigerator. It will contribute to a fresh aroma coming out of the refrigerator, but be careful, the lemon becomes moldy in a few days.
- Place some baking soda or baking powder (containing 30-40% baking soda) in a cup. In the case of baking soda, it has been widely documented that the substance can absorb or neutralize odors.
- Introduce a freshly opened roll of toilet paper in the refrigerator. It will absorb the odor-causing particles that float in the interior atmosphere of the refrigerator. After a week or two, throw away the entire roll. In any case, be sure to check the food you have in the refrigerator to detect the cause of the bad smell and correct it.