How to Eliminate Refrigerator Odors: Quick Fixes & Preventative Tips
Refrigerators are designed to keep food fresh and preserve its original flavor. Yet, it's a common problem: every time you open the fridge door, a strange smell hits your nose—and sometimes, the odor even lingers in the kitchen after you close the door. Not only does this compromise the freshness of your food, but it can also cause everything inside to absorb that unpleasant smell. This guide will walk you through how to eliminate refrigerator odors, explain why they appear first and offer easy, practical tips to keep your fridge clean, fresh, and odor-free.
What Causes Bad Smells in a Refrigerator?
You need to find the source of the bad smells in a fridge first. Here are a few possible triggers:
1. Spoiled Foods in the Refrigerator
The spoiled foods tend to release odors, and they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Moldy spots on the surface are a sure sign it's time to toss them.
Remember that some items may look fine outside but have already gone bad due to prolonged storage.
2. It’s Time to Clean the Drip Tray
At the bottom of your refrigerator lies a hidden component known as the drip pan. Its job is to collect excess moisture from the condensate line. However, it’s one of the most commonly overlooked areas during routine cleaning.
Over time, water can accumulate in the tray, especially if it hasn't been emptied or cleaned regularly. This stagnant water can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other harmful contaminants.
3. Water and Air Filters Expired
Many refrigerators come with air and water filters. The air filter purifies the refrigerator's air, and the water filter is usually used in the ice maker.
However, both filters need to be replaced every six months. If they're not replaced regularly, they can harbor bacteria and create odors.
4. Foods with Strong Odors
Even if the food hasn't spoiled, it may still smell in the refrigerator. Some foods, such as onions, fish, cheese, and scallions, have a strong odor. If they are not sealed, they can contaminate other foods.
Tips: Don't just focus on the food in the containers. Check the shelves and drawer crevices of the refrigerator for food residue. Over time, these things can also give off foul odors.
How to Remove Odor from Refrigerator?
If you’ve identified what's causing the bad smell in your fridge, now it's time to take action. Let’s look at how to eliminate bad odor in refrigerator.
1. Thoroughly Organize Your Food
Check all the food stored in your refrigerator. Anything that doesn't look fresh or has mold on the surface, throw it out quickly.
For those foods that have a strong odor of their own, make sure to keep them sealed to prevent odors from transferring.
2. Replace the Filter Regularly
Sometimes there’s no spoiled food in sight, yet the smell remains. In that case, the issue might be with the refrigerator’s air or water filter. These should be replaced about every six months, and the surrounding areas should be cleaned regularly to prevent odor buildup.
3. Clean the Inside of Your Refrigerator
Take the time to give your refrigerator a thorough cleaning. Be sure to unplug the unit before cleaning.
Remove all food from the refrigerator, then remove all removable drawers and shelves. Thoroughly wipe down all parts of the refrigerator's interior with warm water and detergent. Finally, dry or air dry all parts before returning them to the refrigerator.
Tips: The drip tray is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator towards the back. You can check the instructions on how to find and remove it.
4. Ventilate the Refrigerator
If your fridge still smells after cleaning, try airing it out. Unplug it, take everything out, and leave the door open for a full day. This gives the interior time to dry out and release trapped smells—an easy and effective step when figuring out how to eliminate odor from refrigerator spaces.
5. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda can effectively absorb odors. You can sprinkle some baking soda on a wet sponge and place it on the shelves of your refrigerator.
6. Put Some Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has excellent odor adsorption ability and is often used for water filtration or air purification. Put one or two bags of activated charcoal in the freezer and refrigerator to help remove odors.
Note: Be sure to keep activated charcoal out of the reach of children to avoid accidental ingestion.
7. Put Some Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds still release a rich aroma that effectively neutralizes odors. Place a small bowl of dried coffee grounds in the fridge and let it sit for a few days. It’s a simple and eco-friendly trick that helps remove the bad smells in a fridge.
8. Use Lemon Slices
Cut lemons into 2-3 slices and put them directly into the refrigerator. If you want to boost the odor, sprinkle the lemon slices with baking soda or salt.
You can also use a towel moistened with lemon water to clean and deodorize the refrigerator compartment.
9. Put Some Newspaper Clumps
The ink in newspapers contains carbon, which helps to remove odors. You can also put a few drops of vanilla extract on the paper balls to enhance the fresh scent.
How to rid smell from fridge without a newspaper? Use moist cotton balls instead, which work just as well.
10. Use Oatmeal
Oatmeal not only absorbs odors but also helps soak up moisture and grease. Just leave some uncooked oats in an open container in the refrigerator.
How Can You Keep Your Fridge Smelling Fresh Long-Term?
Just knowing how to eliminate odor in refrigerator is not enough. You also need to build a few simple habits to keep smells from coming back over time. Below are practical tips to help you maintain a fresh, clean fridge.
1. Store Food in Airtight Containers
All food should be stored in airtight containers as much as possible. Use airtight containers or plastic wrap to properly seal food, preventing odor transfer.
2. Clean the Refrigerator Regularly
Get into the habit of cleaning the refrigerator at a regular frequency, for example, once a month. This not only prevents food from being left out for too long but also keeps the inside of the refrigerator clean and prevents odors from growing.
3. Reasonable Arrangement of Food
Place perishable or near-expiry foods in a prominent, easily accessible spot and consume them first to prevent waste and spoilage.
4. Set the Right Temperature
Adjusting the temperature is definitely a key step. Keep the freezer's temperature below 4°C; 7 °C is acceptable if more fruits are stored. Store meat in a freezer environment below -2°C to ensure freshness.
5. Well Prepared for Power Goes Out
A sudden power cut can lead to spoiled food and lingering odors if your fridge is down for too long. One smart way to prevent this is by using a power station. A reliable unit can keep your refrigerator running long enough to avoid spoilage, especially during extended outages or while you're away from home.
For instance, the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer ensures your perishables stay chilled until power returns. Its high‑efficiency copper compressor uses 40 % less energy than standard models, and 53 mm of premium insulation holds 4 °C for up to 43 hours off‑grid. Available in 35 L, 45 L, and 55 L sizes, it adapts to any household’s needs. With versatile charging via AC, car outlet or up to 110 W solar panel input—and smart app control to monitor temperatures remotely—the GLACIER Classic keeps your fridge fresh and odor‑free, even during extended outages.
EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer
Conclusion
Knowing how to eliminate refrigerator odors is only part of the solution. Keeping your fridge clean and fresh long-term takes consistent effort. From sealing food properly to routine cleaning and smart storage, small habits go a long way in preventing unwanted smells. And if you're serious about maintaining freshness during power cuts or on the go, having a reliable cooling solution matters. The EcoFlow GLACIER Series offers smart, portable options to help you keep food fresh anytime, anywhere.
FAQs
What neutralizes refrigerator smell?
Some common household items people often use to solve how to eliminate refrigerator odor include activated charcoal, lemon slices, coffee grounds, baking soda, vinegar, vanilla extract, oats, potatoes, and used tea bags. Remember to replace them regularly, though.
How often should I clean my fridge to prevent bad smells?
It's best to clean it once a month. This frequency will also allow you to spot some spoiled or expired food in time and clean it up. Don't forget to change the filter every three to six months.
Does baking soda remove odors from the refrigerator?
Yes. Baking soda is effective in absorbing odors from the refrigerator. You can put some on a wet sponge in the fridge. Be sure to replace it regularly.
What should I avoid storing in the fridge to reduce odors?
Try to keep very strong-smelling foods to a minimum, such as garlic, scallions, certain cheeses, fish, etc. If you have to put them in, seal them up.