There is nothing worse than the smell of the fridge filling your kitchen every time you open the door to get something out or put it away.

If you haven't found an obvious solution even after thoroughly cleaning the interior and all shelves and containers, the refrigerator itself may be to blame.

Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to get rid of persistent odors for good.

Express.co.uk tells about them.

Baking soda on a plate

Even after wiping the surfaces, plastic can retain odors and can be the cause of the problem.

Cleaning can only help to a limited extent.

To absorb odors, place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator.

You can also pour baking soda on the plate to increase the surface area.

The baking soda will absorb odors and your fridge will smell clean in about three days.


Although it will take time, baking soda works by balancing the pH of acidic and alkaline substances to reduce odor-causing particles.

The same ingredient can be used for deeper cleaning of shelves and compartments, just mix it with water to make a neutral liquid and wipe everything inside with it.

Coffee grounds

If you're looking for a quick fix, try using the power of coffee grounds or granules.

Simply place one cup of ground coffee in a bowl or plate and leave in the refrigerator.

A day or two should be enough to mask the odors while the baking soda absorbs them.

Vanilla essence on cotton balls

For a sweeter scent, you can also try soaking cotton balls in vanilla essence and leaving them in a small container.

Replace when the odor disappears or when the baking soda has eliminated the root cause of the odor.

Don't forget the pallet

In addition to focusing on the main body of the appliance, it is worth extending the shelves and compartments to check for crumbs or standing water.

The tray may be covered in mold if your fridge hasn't been cleaned or emptied in a while, but you won't always notice it until you pull it out.

Start by checking if you have a drip tray by looking at your owner's manual.

If you can't find the paper version of the manual that came with your refrigerator, you can always find and download it online by searching for the make and model number of your refrigerator.

If you have a tray, it will collect condensation while the unit cools down.

It can be found at the very bottom of the device.

To clean it, unplug the refrigerator, remove all food and follow the instructions for removing the tray in the manual.

Then clean it with warm water and dish soap before reinstalling.

Check for puddles of water

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A small amount of water in your refrigerator is normal, but excess water could be a sign of a broken seal or faulty element.

If the water is not soaked, the moisture can create an ideal breeding ground for mold, which will make itself felt with an unpleasant, musty aroma.

Clean the filters

Many modern refrigerators are equipped with an air filter that cleans the circulating air and a water filter for the water in the door dispenser or ice maker.

Both should generally be inspected and replaced every six months.

If you haven't looked at your filters in a while, check your owner's manual for instructions on how to clean them.

Mold can build up in these areas, so freshening up can save you from bad fridge odors.

Visit under the refrigerator

You may think the odors are coming from the refrigerator, but if you've tried everything and still can't locate and eliminate the source, a deeper cleaning may be necessary.

Unplug the appliance and push it out as far as possible to open the space under the refrigerator.


If you don't clean it regularly, you may be surprised to find spilled drinks, crumbs or rotten food underneath.

Get rid of any debris as soon as possible and clean the floor with a vacuum cleaner or brush, then wipe with a rag to remove odors.

For heavily smelling stains, apply baking soda and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before vacuuming.

Read also:

  • Do not put milk and eggs in the door: how to store food in the refrigerator so that it does not spoil

  • Beyond ripe fruit: how to store avocados to keep them fresh for 12 days

  • They will be yellow and hard for 16 days: the expert told how to properly store bananas

  • How to properly freeze vegetables and fruits for the winter to preserve their benefits and taste