How to get rid of the smell in the refrigerator: step-by-step instructions with photos and expert advice

An unpleasant smell in the refrigerator is a problem that every second owner faces. It not only spoils your appetite, but also signals possible violations in food storage or equipment malfunctions. Most often the cause is expired products, improper cleaning or insufficient ventilation. However, even a new refrigerator can “smell” of plastic or chemicals in the first weeks after purchase.

In this article we will analyze all possible sources of odor - from the banal (forgotten fish on the back shelf) to the hidden (mold in the drainage hole). You will learn how eliminate odor in 10 minutes with the help of improvised means, which professional absorbers really work, and why some “folk” methods only worsen the situation. And also - why you can’t use vinegar to clean the refrigerator if you have a model with the No Frost system.

1. Causes of odor: from obvious to hidden

Before dealing with odor, you need to understand its source. In 70% of cases, the products are to blame, but sometimes the problem lies in the design of the refrigerator or operating errors.

• 🍳 Expired or incorrectly packaged products - especially fish, meat, dairy products and sauces. Even sealed packaging will not save you if the product begins to deteriorate.
• 🧊 Ice and condensation in the freezer —ice absorbs odors, and when defrosting they intensify. In models No Frost this is less common, but not excluded.
• 🦠 Bacteria and mold - multiply on the sealing rubber, in the drainage hole and on the back wall. They are often not visible to the naked eye.
• 🔌 Equipment malfunctions - for example, clogged drainage or broken fan in systems No Frost. In this case, the smell appears even when the refrigerator is empty.
• 🧴 Chemical fumes - new refrigerators may “smell” of plastic or polyurethane foam (insulation) for the first 1–2 weeks.

Especially insidious hidden sources: for example, spilled juice under the vegetable drawer or a piece of cheese that has fallen behind the shelf. To detect them, you will have to remove all removable elements and inspect the refrigerator with a flashlight.

⚠️ Attention: If the smell appears suddenly and reminds you fumes or chemicals, immediately unplug the refrigerator! This could be a sign of a compressor overheating or a freon leak. In this case, professional repair is required.

2. Quick ways to eliminate odor (in 10–30 minutes)

If the odor has appeared recently and does not have time to eat into the plastic, you can deal with it in half an hour. Here express methodsthat work in 90% of cases:

1. Remove all products - even those that seem fresh. Check expiration dates and packaging. Throw away anything suspicious.
2. Wipe the shelves and walls with a solution of baking soda (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) or a special product for refrigerators (for example, Topperr 3101 or Sano Refrigerator Cleaner).
3. Wash the removable elements (drawers, shelves, grates) in warm water with detergent. For persistent odors, use citric acid (1 tsp per 1 liter of water).
4. Dry the refrigerator - leave the door open for 1-2 hours or use fan.
5. Place an odor absorber —activated carbon, soda or a special gel will do (for example, Air Wick Air purifier for the refrigerator).

For instant effect you can use coffee beans or citrus peels -they will absorb odors in a few hours. But remember: these methods mask the problem and do not eliminate its cause.

3. Deep cleaning: how to remove ingrained odor

If the refrigerator smells of “rotten” or “damp” despite regular cleaning, it will be necessary deep cleaning. surfaces, including the drainage hole and sealing rubber.

Step-by-step instructions:

Unplug the refrigerator and remove all food

Remove all shelves, drawers and grilles

Wash the removable elements in a solution of soda or vinegar (except for No Frost models!)

Clean the drainage hole with a cotton swab or a special brush

Wipe the sealing gum with a toothbrush and soapy water

Treat all surfaces disinfectant (for example, chlorhexidine)

Dry the refrigerator for at least 2 hours

Place an odor absorber before turning it on -->

Pay special attention drainage hole —this is where the most dirt and bacteria accumulate in the models. with drip defrosting system (for example, ATLANT XM 4021-000 or Biryusa 101) it is located on the back wall. data-i="129">ATLANT XM 4021-000

• 🧼 A cotton swab dipped in a soap solution.
• 🧹 A special brush (sold in household goods stores).
• 💦 A syringe with warm water for rinsing.

If the smell remains after cleaning, try treatment with an ultraviolet lamp or ozonizer. This will destroy all bacteria and eliminate even persistent “fishy” or “cheese” odors. Many cleaning companies offer this service. data-i="135">ozonation ozonation - treatment with an ultraviolet lamp or ozonizer. This will destroy all bacteria and eliminate even persistent “fishy” or “cheese” odors. Many cleaning companies offer this service.

⚠️ Attention: Never use bleach or bleach to clean the refrigerator! They leave a toxic odor that is absorbed into the food. For disinfection, it is better to use hydrogen peroxide (3%) or alcohol solution (70%).

4. Folk remedies vs professional absorbers: which is better?

You can find dozens on the Internet “miraculous” recipes for the smell in the refrigerator - from onion peels to iodine. data-i="149">Product. But not all of them are effective, and some are even harmful. We tested popular methods and compiled a table:

Our verdict: for emergency help soda or coal are suitable, but for long-term solution it is better to buy a professional absorber. Well-proven:

• 🧪 Air Wick Air Purifier —gel with citrus or lavender scent (valid for up to 3 months).
• 🧊 Fridge Fresh —tablets with activated carbon (enough for six months).
• 🌿 Bork K701 —air ionizer for refrigerators (eliminates odors and bacteria).

5. How to prevent odor from appearing: 7 rules of prevention

The best way to combat odor is to prevent its occurrence. Follow these rules, and your refrigerator will always smell fresh:

1. Check products weekly -throw out anything that starts to spoil. It is especially dangerous to store open canned food, sauces and dairy products.
2. Use airtight containers for fish, meat, cheese and onions. Glass or plastic boxes with silicone gaskets are suitable (for example Tupperware or Lock&Lock).
3. Do not store in the refrigerator:
   • 🍎 Fruits and vegetables that emit ethylene (bananas, apples, avocados) - they accelerate the spoilage of other products.
   • 🧅 Onions and garlic - their pungent odor is absorbed into the plastic.
   • ☕ Coffee and tea - they absorb extraneous odors.

Wash the refrigerator regularly - enough 1 time a month. Use mild detergents without. abrasives.

Keep an eye on the drainage hole - clean it once every 3 months to avoid water stagnation and bacterial growth.

Control the temperature - there should be one in the main chamber +2…+5°C, in the freezer −18°C. At higher values, food spoils faster.

Use an absorber odor —even if the refrigerator is clean, it will help neutralize random odors.

If you have a model with No Frost system (for example, Samsung RB30J3000SA or LG GA-B489YGQZ), you do not need to defrost it. However, wash and dry it is still necessary - at least once every 2-3 months.

6. Features of caring for different types of refrigerators

Methods of combating odor depend on type of refrigerator. data-i="213">drip system and its design. What works for drip systemcan harm the model with No FrostLet's look into the nuances:

🔹 Refrigerators with a drip defrosting system

In such models (for example, ATLANT MHM 1705-80 or Indesit DF 4180 W) condensation forms on the back wall, which flows into the drain hole. Main problems:

• 💧 Dirt and bacteria accumulate in the drainage → a damp smell appears.
• 🧊 Ice on the back wall absorbs the aromas of food.

Solution: Defrost the refrigerator once every 3-6 months, clean the drainage and wipe the back wall with a vinegar solution (but not more than once a year!).

🔹 Refrigerators with the No Frost system

In models No Frost (for example, Bosch KGE39XW2AR or Electrolux ERN 1200 FOW) defrosting is not required, but ventilation system can spread odors throughout camera. Main problems:

• 🌀 Odors spread quickly due to air circulation.
• 🔥 Dry air can cause an unpleasant “plastic” odor.

Solution: Use odor absorbers (for example, ionizers), ventilate the refrigerator more often and avoid aggressive detergents (vinegar, bleach).

🔹 Two-chamber refrigerators with a separate freezer

In such models (for example, Liebherr CN 4015), the smell from the freezer can penetrate into the main chamber. Main problems:

• ❄️ Ice and odors accumulate in the freezer.
• 🔄 When you open the door, the aromas mix.

Solution: Defreeze the freezer every 6-12 months, store food in vacuum bags and use separate absorbers for each chamber.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators with Low Frost system (for example, Beko GNE 114620 X) frost forms more slowly, but drainage still requires cleaning. data-i="253">—care is different! No Frost - care is different!

7. Frequent errors that aggravate the problem

Many users themselves provoke the appearance of odor by following “advice from the Internet” or neglecting the operating rules. Here top 5 mistakesthat almost everyone makes:

• 🧹 Using fragrances instead of cleaning - air fresheners mask the smell, but do not eliminate its cause. In a week it will return with a vengeance.
• ❄️ Improper defrosting —if you scrape off the ice with a knife, you can damage the evaporator. Use plastic scraper or hair dryer in cold mode.
• 🧼 Washing the refrigerator with bleach —it leaves a toxic odor and corrodes the seal. For disinfection, it is better to use hydrogen peroxide.
• 🥩 Storing meat and fish in the original packaging —it is not airtight! Transfer food to containers or vacuum bags.
• 🔌 Long-term shutdown of the refrigerator —if it sits idle, mold may appear inside. Leave the door ajar and put a bag of silica gel inside.

Another common mistake. — ignore the manufacturer's instructions. For example, in refrigerators Samsung s Twin Cooling Plus you cannot use alcohol solutions for washing, and in models LG s DoorCooling+ it is important to regularly clean the air ducts.

What will happen if you do not clean the drainage hole?

If the drainage becomes clogged, water accumulates at the bottom of the refrigerator, which leads to:

- The appearance of mold and mildew (black spots on plastic).

- An unpleasant smell of dampness that cannot be eliminated by cleaning.

- Possible breakdown of the compressor due to high humidity.

In advanced cases, repair or replacement of the drainage system may be required.

8 When you can’t do without a technician: signs of serious ones. problems

If you have tried all the methods and the smell remains, perhaps the problem lies in refrigerator malfunctionContact a specialist if:

• 🔥 The smell of burning or chemicals is a sign compressor overheating or freon leakage.
• 💦 Constant moisture at the bottom of the refrigerator - may indicate clogging drainage or evaporator breakdown.
• 🌀 Unpleasant odor from the ventilation holes (in models No Frost) - possible breakage fan or air duct contamination.
• 🧊 The freezer does not freeze, but the main chamber is too cold - a sign thermostat malfunction.

Average repair cost:

If the refrigerator is under warranty, do not try to repair it yourself this may lead to a refusal of service. Contact an authorized service center (for example, for Bosch - this is BSH Hausgeret, for LG — LG Electronics Rus).

⚠️ Attention: Repair parts and prices may vary by model and region. Check the latest information at official service centers.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Why does a new refrigerator smell like plastic or chemicals?

This is normal for the first 1-2 weeks of operation. The smell comes from polyurethane foam (insulation) and new plastic parts. To speed up weathering:

• Rinse all surfaces with a soda solution.
• Place an open pack of activated carbon inside.
• Leave the door open for 24 hours (if possible).

If the smell has not disappeared after a month, contact the store (it may be defective).

❓ Is it possible to use aromatic oils for the refrigerator?

It is possible, but with caution. Some oils (for example tea tree or lavender) have antibacterial properties, but:

• Do not drop oil onto plastic - it can corrode it.
• Use only edible oils (for example, lemon or orange).
• Do not overdo it - the strong aroma will be absorbed into the products.

It is better to apply 1-2 drops on a cotton pad and put it in a small container on the top shelf.

❓ How to get rid of the smell of fish or garlic that is ingrained in plastic?

If the smell is ingrained, ordinary cleaning is not enough. Try:

1. Wipe all surfaces hydrogen peroxide solution (3%) this will kill bacteria.
2. Place in the refrigerator a bag of soda for 2-3 day.
3. Use ozonizer (can be rented from a cleaning company).
4. As a last resort, replace the plastic shelves (if they are removable).

For prevention, store fish and garlic only in sealed containers!

❓ Why did the smell become stronger after defrosting?

This happens due to:

• Remaining water - if the refrigerator is bad dry, moisture becomes a source of mold.
• Dirt in the drainage —when defrosted, it “wakes up” and begins to smell.
• Products that have thawed and frozen again —their smell intensifies.

What to do: Wash and dry the refrigerator thoroughly, clean the drainage, check the food for freshness.

❓ Which refrigerators are least susceptible to odors?

Least problematic models:

• 🔹 With the No Frost system and antibacterial coating (for example, Panasonic NR-BN30A1 or Hitachi R-BG410PUC6).
• 🔹 With an ionizer air (for example, Sharp SJ-FP65PMBE).
• 🔹 With a separate freshness zone (for example, Liebherr CPesf 4023), where products are stored in optimal conditions.

But even in such refrigerators you need to follow the rules for storing food!