How to Prevent Bad Smells in Your Refrigerator

Have you ever lost your appetite the moment you opened your fridge? Yeah, that's pretty bad. Even when it's not *that* bad, it's easy to be put off when food odors transfer and your lettuce suddenly tastes like old, chopped onions, or a waft of last Tuesday's takeout blasts you in the face when you're just going to grab some milk.

Refrigerators are a breeding ground for bacteria growth and mold, which can cause bad smells to linger. Food spills, expired items, and even the type of food you store can contribute to these unpleasant odors. Learning how to combat smelly fridge odors starts simple cleaning, and is made easier by a few proactive steps.

1. Empty and Declutter

Set aside time every 1-2 months to thoroughly clean your refrigerator. Choose a day when you have fewer groceries to minimize food handling and save time moving items in and out.
Start by removing all items from the refrigerator. Discard expired or bad food and beverages. Take out removable shelves, drawers, and trays for easier cleaning.

2. Clean Fridge Interior

Wipe down all interior surfaces with a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Pay close attention to spills, food residue, stains, and areas prone to bacterial growth, such as door seals and crevices.
For stubborn smells, use a deep cleaning solution of 1 cup of hot water and 1 cup of white vinegar. Use a damp sponge to thoroughly disinfect and deodorize the interior surfaces.
Regularly inspect and clean problem areas like drip pans and drain tubes, because mold makes an appearance there, too
Regularly inspect the seals and gaskets around the refrigerator door for any signs of wear, cracks, or buildup of debris. Use a solution of warm water and mild detergent to gently wash the seals with a clean towel.

3. Sanitize Removable Parts

Wash removable shelves, crisper drawers, and trays with hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry before placing them back in the fridge.

4. Wipe Down the Exterior

Don't forget to clean the exterior of your refrigerator, including the door handles, water dispenser, kick plate, and control panel. Use a damp cloth and mild cleaner that can remove smudges and fingerprints.

5. Replace Your Water Filter

This helps prevent contaminated or foul-smelling water.

Salmon unwrapped on parchment paper in the kitchen. — Proper storage of fish (and the leftovers from your salmon dinner) can reduce bad smells in your fridge. Credit: Photo by CA Creative on Unsplash

Learn How to Proactively Prevent Odors

Properly store your most pungent foods. Avoid uncovered containers. Keep your fridge fresh and manage unpleasant smells by using glass containers for smelly foods like chopped onions. Bringing home leftovers? Transfer them into an airtight container; the plastic clamshell the restaurant gave you has a terrible seal.
Use a fridge purifier: Shelfy Lite launched on KickStarter with a surge of excitement. Not only does the air filter reduce strong smells by 80%, but in line with the company’s mission, it’s designed to reduce food waste. It extends the shelf life of perishable fruits and vegetables, keeping food fresh up to 12 days longer.
Regularly clean spills and remove rotten foods. Promptly clean up spills and discard spoiled or expired foods to prevent the development of unpleasant odors.
Rotate foods. Reduce food spoilage by following the "first in, first out" FIFO method to rotate food items, ensuring older items are used first and reducing the likelihood of items going bad and emitting odors. This is also important for frozen food.
Regularly inspect the door seals. Door seals and gaskets can break down over time, leading to air leaks and ultimately, spoiled food. Additionally, overloading the refrigerator door or placing heavy items on top, can cause the seals to compress and lose their effectiveness over time. To check the condition of your seals, perform this simple test: closing the refrigerator door on a piece of paper or dollar bill. If you can easily pull the paper out without resistance, it's a sign that the seals may need adjustment or replacement.