The Easiest Way to Get Rid of Any Smell in Your Fridge, According to Pro Cleaners

What’s that smell? If you’ve noticed a funky smell in your kitchen, your refrigerator could be the culprit. Refrigerator odors can stem from a variety of causes, from old food to hidden buildup (and even mold!). Wondering how to get rid of smells in your fridge? You’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll learn experts’ favorite methods for freshening your fridge in a snap. 

Unpleasant odors in your refrigerator can be more than just a nuisance; they can be an indication of deeper cleanliness issues. Sometimes, it’s pretty simple to figure out what’s causing that funky odor in your fridge — other times, it takes some trial and error. 

A clean, odor-free refrigerator is essential for preserving the freshness of your food and maintaining a pleasant kitchen environment. “Over time, refrigerators can develop unpleasant smells due to spills, expired items, and poor ventilation,” says Muffetta Krueger, owner of Muffetta Domestic Assistants, a house cleaning company based in Westchester, New York. 

Go through your refrigerator from top to bottom and remove any food that’s expired, looks or smells bad, is moldy, or is otherwise questionable. This includes any food wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or stored in plastic or glass storage containers. Each item should be inspected carefully. After all, even food that’s been stored properly will go bad eventually. 

Wondering if you should keep a food item or toss it? When it comes to your fridge, it’s best to follow the saying: When in doubt, toss it out. That said, here’s a quick guide to how long certain foods can last in your refrigerator, according to the United States Department of Agriculture: 

• Cooked leftovers: 3 to 4 days
• Raw ground beef: 1 to 2 days
• Raw chicken/poultry: 1 to 2 days
• Raw steak/beef: 3 to 5 days
• Milk: 7 days
• Sour cream/yogurt/other dairy: Up to 2 weeks

Once you’ve removed all rotting or smelly food from your fridge, it’s a good idea to give it a deep clean to ensure you’ve reached the true source of the odor. And if any of the stale or expired food has made contact with the surfaces of your refrigerator, a good cleaning can ensure you stay healthy and minimize your risk of foodborne illness. Krueger suggests following these steps to successfully deep clean your refrigerator, no matter how dirty it is. 

• Remove all food items from drawers and shelves. Check expiration dates and discard anything that is old or spoiled. 
• Take out all removable shelves, drawers, and bins, and wash them with warm, soapy water. 
• Use a sponge or dishcloth on the shelves, drawers and bins you’ve removed to scrub away sticky residues. 
• While those are still removed, wipe down the interior of the refrigerator with a mixture of baking soda and water — about 1 cup of baking soda mixed with 1 quart of warm water. This solution helps neutralize odors. 
• Clean the rubber seals thoroughly, since this can be a source of hidden odors.
• After cleaning, leave the refrigerator open to air out for a few hours to remove any lingering smells.
• Or, simply dry all surfaces with a clean cloth, then put the shelves and food back. 

Once you’ve gotten rid of smelly food that could be causing odors, and cleaned your fridge to ensure they’re fully gone (and don’t return!), here are some additional things you can try if you’re still dealing with stubborn refrigerator smells. 

• Use coffee grounds. Coffee grounds can absorb odors overnight and are very effective for strong smells, suggests Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of handycleaners.com. Take one cup of fresh grounds and spread it on a plate, then let it stay in the refrigerator until the odor disappears.
• Try baking soda. Place an open box of baking soda on a shelf in the refrigerator after you’ve cleaned it, Krueger suggests. Baking soda is an excellent natural deodorizer that absorbs and neutralizes odors. Replace the box every three months for the best results.
• Add essential oils. Brown suggests this as a long-lasting method for how to get rid of smells in a fridge. “Dip cotton balls in [a high-quality] vanilla essential oil and put them in a dish in your fridge. This will leave your refrigerator smelling fresh and clean, masking stubborn odors effectively.”
• Use activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is highly effective at absorbing odors, Krueger says. “Place a bowl of activated charcoal in your refrigerator, and replace it every few months, or when you notice its effectiveness diminishing,” she suggests. 
• Clean with vinegar. Even routine wipe-downs can be more effective at combating fridge odors when you combine the antibacterial and antiseptic power of vinegar. Add a splash of white vinegar to a paper towel or dishcloth and give your refrigerator a quick wipe-down at the end of each day in order to keep odors at bay. And when it comes time for a deep clean, vinegar is a handy cleaner for that, too. 
• Add some citrus. Krueger and Brown suggest cutting a lemon in half and placing it cut side up in your fridge. Lemon not only neutralizes odors but also gives off a clean, citrus fragrance that can help mask bad smells.
• Purchase a fridge deodorizer. There are plenty of refrigerator deodorizers on the market, including this unscented editor-approved version, going for only $9 each. It also helps to keep food fresh!
• Check (and replace!) air filters. Some refrigerators have air filters that can trap odors. Check your refrigerator’s manual to locate and replace the air filter if needed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Maintain proper temperature: Ensure that your refrigerator is set to the correct temperature, ideally between 37°F and 40°F, Krueger suggests. “Proper temperature control helps prevent odors by keeping food fresh longer.” Be sure to regularly check the temperature settings and adjust as needed.