When your refrigerator still smells bad after cleaning it, nothing is more annoying. Learn how to eliminate unpleasant refrigerator odors using common household ingredients. Learn where to look for smells coming from the fridge that are not from rotting food.

The unpleasant smells coming from your refrigerator are caused by mold and bacteria. Acetone (nail polish) smell is a reliable sign that the refrigerant is leaking.

Now that you are aware of the potential causes and remedies for why a fridge may continue to smell bad even after cleaning, it is time to get rid of that unpleasant odor.

Why Does the Refrigerator Smell?

Food that has gone bad is typically the first cause of a smelly refrigerator. Your first course of action should be to inspect the produce inside if you smell something off.

A thorough cleaning should eliminate any odors that remain after you have thrown away all expired, rotting, and overripe produce. Even after using dish soap or detergent, some people still notice a lingering smell in their refrigerator.

The reasons why your refrigerator might still smell bad after cleaning are examined below.

• Mold or bacterial growth inside the seal of the fridge
• Mold or bacterial growth between the plastic drip protector and the glass shelf
• Bacteria, yeast, or fungal growth
• Temperature and moisture control issues
• A dirty drip tray

Let’s examine each of these reasons in turn to gain a better understanding of what might be making your fridge smell bad.

How to Remove the Odor

Your refrigerator still smells awful even after you’ve thrown out as much produce as you can, gone through all the food, and cleaned every shelf and the door.

There is hope if this sounds familiar. There are a few tried-and-true methods for rescuing a refrigerator from the depths of yuck. Let us look at a few.

Also Read: Samsung Bespoke Fridge Review 2023 – Is It Worth It

Vinegar

White vinegar works wonders on fridges. Spray the resulting mixture into your empty refrigerator after combining it with water. After giving it some time to do its magic, wipe it away with a soft cloth that has been dampened.

Vinegar works wonders as a cleaner and can help get rid of unpleasant odors in your refrigerator. Use it to clean the fridge’s frame, exterior, door, and each shelf.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is like a tiny miracle in a jar. After cleaning, put an open jar of this powder in the refrigerator to help eliminate any odors that might still be present.

Prior to masking or neutralizing the smell, I would advise you to identify its source. Continue deodorizing the refrigerator only after you’re certain there are no dangerous bacteria or rotting food still present.

Other Deodorizing Methods

You can maintain a clean and fresh refrigerator by using a few items you probably already have at home.

Here are our favorite ones:

• Lemon halves left open
• Coffee grounds
• Charcoal
• Dry, rolled oats
• Cottonwool soaked in vanilla essence
• A scrunched-up, vinegar-soaked newspaper

All of these simple techniques can keep refrigerators smelling fresh. In order to prevent bacteria, mold, or fungus from contaminating your food, as with all the deodorizing suggestions we have provided, be sure to identify the source of the unpleasant odors before deodorizing.

What to Clean the Refrigerator With?

You can clean the refrigerator with a solution made of liquid bleach, baking soda, white vinegar, or a combination of these.

Using white vinegar to get rid of mold and bacteria is risk-free and nontoxic. Baking soda absorbs odors and is great to use after cleaning with vinegar.

The best method for getting rid of mold and mildew is bleach, but it must never be used near food. In addition, it can scratch refrigerator surfaces and burn or irritate skin if touched or smelt. You can minimize the risks by carefully using it and diluting it with water.

The Best Cleaning Method?

We recommend spraying the refrigerator with vinegar, then spreading baking soda to remove lingering odors. Bleach is a much better disinfectant and bacteria remover if the odor is particularly strong or if visible mold or bacteria won’t wash off.

The vinegar cleaning solution is made by mixing one part vinegar with one part water into a spray bottle.

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with 34 ounces (1 liter) of hot water in a spray bottle to create the cleaning solution.

One tablespoon of bleach and 34 ounces (1 liter) of water can be combined to create a liquid cleaning solution. Before using bleach, thoroughly wash the refrigerator with hot water and dish soap.

How to Clean the Refrigerator

Once you’ve mixed your cleaning solution, it’s time to get cleaning.

Step 1: for Safety, Disconnect the Power to the Refrigerator.

If the refrigerator is in good condition, you shouldn’t be exposed to any electrical components that present a safety risk. Therefore, you don’t necessarily have to turn the refrigerator off.

It might be necessary to leave the refrigerator door open to let the smell out, though, if it’s particularly strong. Turn off the power if you need to let the fridge air out.

Step 2: Remove All Items from the Refrigerator, Including the Drawers and Shelves.

It’s a good idea to check what needs to be thrown away right away so you can possibly identify the source of the odor.

Step 3: Spray the Drawers and Shelves With the Cleaning Solution.

To ensure disinfection, let the cleaning solution sit on the surfaces for up to 30 minutes. Before cleaning them, it also helps to let the mold, bacteria, and stains decompose.

Step 4: Spray the Refrigerator With the Cleaning Solution.

Spray the gasket on the door of the refrigerator and all of its surfaces. Do not disregard the door gasket because this is where mold and bacteria frequently grow. However, do not harm it by tearing or cracking it.

Step 5: Clean the Drawers and Shelves

With a microfiber cloth, clean the drawers and shelves. Whenever necessary, use warm water and additional cleaning agent.

Make sure the shelves or drawers are at room temperature before heating them. If the surfaces are still cold from the refrigerator, applying heat to them may break or damage them.

The drawers and shelves should be rinsed under running water to complete the cleaning. Then leave them to air dry.

Step 6: Clean the Refrigerator

With a damp microfiber cloth, clean the refrigerator’s surfaces. If more cleaning agent is needed, add it.

Step 7: Dry the Surfaces, Drawers, and Shelves.

Remember, you don’t want to put moisture into the refrigerator because it can cause mold and bacteria to start growing again.

Does the Refrigerator Still Smell?

Apply Baking Soda

The smell of the refrigerator should be eliminated if you leave baking soda inside. Lay out the baking sheets and cover them with baking soda. Lock the fridge’s door.

It will deodorize more the longer you leave the baking soda out.

Air the Refrigerator

Turning the refrigerator off and leaving the door open for 24 hours should remove all traces of the odor.

Check the Drain Pan

Most refrigerators have a drain pan that’s located underneath the refrigerator.

It ought to be accessible at the back of the refrigerator or behind the front grille.

Cleaning the drain pan could get rid of the smell since mold and bacteria can grow there and cause odors in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Bacteria, mold, and fungi, which are all present in naturally decaying food, are typically to blame for bad fridge odors. If the smell still exists after you have removed all potentially spoilage food from your refrigerator, think about cleaning areas that are a little more difficult to access than the shelves and door.

When looking for smell offenders, some common suspects include the fridge seal, drip tray, and filter. To clean and mask odors while cleaning, think about using vinegar or baking soda. To keep the fridge smelling great until the next clean, think about putting coffee grounds, lemon halves, or other fragrant items inside.