Foreign odors inside the refrigerator compartment are a common problem faced by owners of both old and modern models. The source of trouble can be spilled milk, a forgotten piece of meat, or the absorbed smell of plastic in a new device. Ignoring the problem leads to the fact that food begins to deteriorate faster, and cooked dishes acquire a strange taste.
Before looking for aggressive chemicals, it is necessary to audit the contents and throw away spoiled food. Often the cause of the stench is stale vegetables in the bottom drawers or a forgotten jar of sauce on the door. General cleaning This is the only way to ensure that the source of pollution is eliminated, and not just disguise it.
In this article we will look at effective ways to wash a refrigerator to eliminate the smell and prevent it return. You will learn about the properties of available home remedies and the features of using specialized household chemicals. The right approach to cleaning will extend the life of your equipment and ensure food freshness.
Primary preparation and defrosting
Any quality cleaning begins with completely emptying the chambers of contents. You will need to remove all shelves, vegetable drawers, egg containers and bottle holders. It is best to wash these removable elements separately in a bathtub or large basin using warm water and dishwashing detergent.
If your refrigerator is not equipped with a system No Frostthen the device must be defrosted before starting active operations. Accumulated ice often absorbs odors and serves as a habitat for bacteria. Unplug the appliance, open the doors and leave it for several hours until the water has completely drained.
⚠️ Attention: Never use sharp objects or a knife to chip ice. Damage to the evaporator or cooling system tubes will lead to freon leakage and costly repairs.
After the ice has melted and the removable parts have been washed, you can begin processing the internal walls. It is important to thoroughly wipe the seals on the doors, since dirt and mold often accumulate in the folds of rubber, which are powerful sources of odor.
☑️ Preparing the refrigerator for washing
Folk remedies for eliminating odors
Many housewives prefer to use time-tested home recipes that are safe for health and do not require large expenses. One of the most effective remedies is baking soda. It perfectly absorbs odors and has a slight disinfectant effect.
To prepare the solution, dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of soda in a liter of warm water. Wipe all internal surfaces with the resulting liquid, and then rinse with clean water. To enhance the effect, you can leave an open pack of soda inside the chamber overnight after cleaning.
Another powerful natural neutralizer is vinegar. The acidic environment destroys bacteria and breaks down fat deposits. However, you should be careful with the concentration so as not to damage the plastic elements.
- 🍋 Citric acid: Dissolve a packet of acid in water to remove yellow deposits and refresh.
- ☕ Coffee grounds: Excellently absorbs odors if placed in saucers on shelves.
- 🍞 Black bread: Pieces of rye bread help remove the smell of fish or spices in a few hours.
- 🧂 Salt: Concentrated saline solution washes greasy stains well.
Is it possible to mix vinegar and soda?
Mixing vinegar and soda directly in one washing container does not make sense, since a neutralization reaction will occur with the release of gas, and the cleaning properties of both components will disappear. It is better to use them sequentially: first wash with soda, rinse, then wipe with a vinegar solution for disinfection.
Specialized household chemicals
When traditional methods fail or deep disinfection is required, industrial products come to the rescue. On store shelves there is a wide range of sprays, foams and wipes designed specifically for kitchen appliances.
When choosing a product, pay attention to the mark “safe for contact with food” or “does not require rinsing” (although rinsing is still recommended). Chlorine-containing preparations, such as Domestos or Belizeare effective against mold, but require careful repeated rinsing.
There are also special odor absorbers in the form of balls or gel blocks that are placed inside the chamber. They do not remove the cause, but effectively neutralize odors during operation.
| Type of product | Examples of brands | Efficiency | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spray cleaners | Unicum, Tortilla, Grass | High | Remove grease and plaque |
| Wipes | Mr. Muscle, Luxus | Medium | Convenient for express cleaning |
| Absorbers | Sano, Filtero | Prevention | Do not remove, but mask |
| Disinfectors | Antibakter | Maximum | Kill 99.9% of bacteria |
Use of aggressive chemicals such as acetone, gasoline or abrasive powders are strictly prohibited. These substances can damage the coating of the chambers, cause the appearance of microcracks in which bacteria will subsequently multiply, or change the color of the plastic.
Cleaning the No Frost system and drainage
In refrigerators with the system No Frost the smell often lies not on visible shelves, but in hidden elements of the air circulation system. If you have tried everything and the smell remains, the problem may be a dirty drain hole or evaporator.
The drain hole is usually located on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment. Through it, condensate flows into a tray above the compressor. If the hole is clogged with crumbs or mold, the water stagnates and begins to rot. You can clean it using a special brush or soft wire.
⚠️ Attention: To clean the drain, do not use hard wire, which can pierce the tube. A special flexible brush or a piece of soft wire insulation is best suited.
In some models, access to the evaporator is possible only after removing the back panel inside the chamber. Dust and fluff can accumulate there, which when wet give off an unpleasant musty smell. It is better to entrust the cleaning of this unit to professionals if you are not confident in your abilities.
Also check the condensate tray, which is located at the back of the refrigerator, above the motor. You can get to it by moving the equipment away from the wall. If there is black slurry in the tray, it must be removed and the container washed.
How to remove the smell after storage and accidents
Situations can be different: a power outage at the dacha, a bag of fish forgotten in the freezer, or a leaked bag of meat. In such cases, the smell eats into the plastic so strongly that regular washing does not help.
If meat or fish has spoiled in the refrigerator and the smell does not come out, try the “freezing” method. Turn off the device, empty it and leave it with the doors open for a day or two (in winter you can take it out onto the balcony if the temperature allows, but not below -5°C, so as not to damage the plastic). Cold, dry air will help ventilate volatile compounds.
Another radical method is the use of activated carbon. Crush 10-20 tablets, scatter the powder into saucers and place on all shelves for 2-3 days. Charcoal is a powerful adsorbent and will draw odor from the pores of the plastic.
- 🌿 Dry herbs: Arrange bunches of mint, thyme or lavender for aromatization.
- 🍚 Rice: Raw rice in an open container absorbs moisture and odors well.
- 🍊 Citrus fruits: Peels of oranges or lemons will freshen the air, but will not remove the cause.
- 🧶 Cat litter: Silica gel litter is excellent at removing odors.
If the cause of the smell is mold that has affected the seals or plastic parts, these may need to be replaced elements. Mold penetrates deep into the structure of materials, and it can be impossible to wash it completely.
Preventing the appearance of unpleasant odors
To prevent the question “how to clean a refrigerator” from arising too often, it is important to follow the operating rules. First of all, all products must be packaged. Use containers with lids, cling film or zip bags.
Check expiration dates regularly. Get into the habit of checking your shelves once a week and throwing away food that is about to go bad. It is recommended to wipe the shelves with a damp cloth every 3-4 days.
Once every six months, arrange a preventive wash with soda or vinegar, even if there is no visible dirt. This will help remove unnoticeable fat deposits, which over time begin to emit the smell of rancid oil.
Do not place hot foods inside the chamber. This not only puts extra strain on the compressor, but also increases humidity, which promotes the growth of bacteria and the appearance of a musty smell.
Why does a new refrigerator have an unpleasant smell?
The smell of plastic in a new refrigerator is normal. It is due to technical lubricants and materials used in production. Before first use, a new refrigerator should be washed with a solution of soda or vinegar and left open for 24 hours to air out.
How often should you wash the refrigerator?
Full general cleaning with defrosting (if required) is recommended once every 3-4 months. Wiping the shelves and removing crumbs should be done weekly during general cleaning of the kitchen.
Can you wash the refrigerator with a steam cleaner?
You can use a steam cleaner, but with caution. Hot steam perfectly disinfects and removes grease, but you should not direct the steam jet at electrical contacts, light bulbs and rubber seals for too long so as not to deform them.
What to do if the smell remains after washing?
If the smell remains, then the source has not been found. Check the drainage hole, the condensation tray on the back of the refrigerator, and the space behind the rear panel inside the compartment (if accessible). Perhaps liquid with food got into the thermal insulation layer.