How to get rid of the smell in an LG refrigerator: reasons and solutions

An unpleasant odor in the refrigerator LG is a problem that almost every owner faces. Even with regular cleaning, odors from food can be absorbed into plastic, rubber seals and interior surfaces. This is especially true for models with a system No Frost, where air circulation distributes odors throughout all compartments. In this article, we will look at not only how to eliminate the “odor” that has already appeared, but also why it occurs, as well as how to prevent its occurrence in the future.

It is important to understand: the smell rarely appears on its own. Usually this is a signal that somewhere in the refrigerator accumulated bacteria, mold or remains of spoiled food. In models LG with the function Smart Inverter Compressor the problem may be aggravated due to a specific cooling system, which requires a special approach to cleaning. We have collected all the working methods - from quick “ambulance” to deep sanitization.

Why there is a smell in the LG refrigerator: 5 main reasons

Before dealing with the consequences, you need to find the source of the problem. In refrigerators LG an unpleasant odor most often occurs for the following reasons:

• 🍎 Spoiled food - even a small piece of meat or fish forgotten on the back shelf can become a source of persistent ammonia or putrid aroma.
• 🧽 Dirty drainage system - in models c Total No Frost condensation flows into a special tray, which over time becomes covered with mucus and mold.
• 🧼 Improper cleaning - if you wipe the shelves with a damp cloth without detergent, bacteria remain and continue to multiply.
• 🔄 Impaired air circulation —overloaded shelves or improperly placed products interfere with ventilation, which leads to “stagnation” of odors.
• 🛠️ Equipment malfunctions —in rare cases, the cause may be a freon leak or problems with the sealing gum (especially important for old models LG GR-***).

In refrigerators LG with the function DoorCooling+ the smell may spread faster due to increased air flow when opening the door. If you notice that the aroma appears even after general cleaning, check drainage hole — it is located on the back wall and is often clogged with crumbs or food particles.

⚠️ Attention: If the smell is accompanied by constant noise or atypical heating of the case, this may indicate a breakdown of the compressor. In this case, self-cleaning will not help. diagnostics are required at a service center.

Quick ways to remove the smell: what to do right now

If the smell appears suddenly and you need to neutralize it urgently, use one of these methods. They will not replace full cleaning, but they will help. "kill" the aroma for 1-2 days:

• ☕ Coffee ones grains - place 2-3 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee on a saucer. Caffeine perfectly absorbs extraneous odors. For models LG with a large volume (more than 300 l), you will need 2 saucers - on the top and bottom shelf.
• 🍋 Lemon or vinegar —wipe the interior surfaces of the refrigerator with a rag soaked in a solution of water and lemon juice (1:1) or vinegar (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water). Do not use undiluted vinegar - it can damage the plastic!
• 🧂 Soda or salt —put it in the refrigerator open. a pack of soda or a bowl of salt. These substances absorb moisture and neutralize odors. To enhance the effect, you can add 2-3 drops of essential oil (for example, lavender).
• 🧻 Activated carbon - crush 10-15 tablets, pour the powder on a plate and leave in the refrigerator for 12 hours. effective natural absorbents.

For models LG with a system Multi Air Flow (for example, LG GC-B247SLQV) quick methods may work worse due to intense air circulation. In this case, it is better to immediately proceed to deep. cleaning.

Step-by-step instructions: how to clean an LG refrigerator from the smell

Full cleaning will take 1-2 hours, but is guaranteed to eliminate the smell for a long time. Follow this algorithm:

1. Turn off the refrigerator plug in and remove all products If in the model. data-i="102">there is a function LG there is a function Holiday Mode, activate it - this will speed up defrosting.
2. Take them out. all removable elements: shelves, drawers, grilles. They need to be washed separately in warm water with detergent.
3. Clean the drainage hole. In models LG it is usually located on the back wall above the vegetable tray. Use a cotton swab or a special brush (included with some refrigerators).
4. Rinse the internal surfaces with a solution of water and vinegar (1:1) or a specialized product for refrigerators (for example, Topperr 3101). Avoid abrasive sponges - they scratch the plastic.
5. Treat the sealing rubber. This is where bacteria most often accumulate. soda.
6. Dry the refrigerator for 1-2 hours with the door open. Humidity is the main cause of mold and odor.
7. Reinstall the shelves and productsBefore doing this, check the expiration dates of all products and. pack them in airtight containers.

For models LG with the function Fresh Balancer (for example, LG GB-B579SLQZ) after cleaning, it is recommended to reset the climate control settings to factory settings. This will help restore the optimal microclimate. You can do this through the menu: Settings → Climate control → Reset.

Remove all products|Unplug the refrigerator|Remove and wash the removable elements|Clean the drainage hole|Wash the walls and shelves with a solution of vinegar|Treat the sealing gum|Dry the refrigerator with the door open|Return the shelves and food to their place-->

⚠️ Attention: Do not use products containing chlorine or ammonia to clean refrigerators. They can damage the antibacterial coating, which is found in most modern ones. models. LG products containing chlorine or ammonia. They can damage the antibacterial coating BioShield, which is found in most modern models.

Specialized odor removal products

If traditional methods do not help, you should turn to professional chemistry. For refrigerators LG the following products are suitable:

When choosing a product, pay attention to its compatibility with antibacterial coatingsrefrigerators LG series (for example, InstaView (For example, LG GR-B247JVQA) internal surfaces have a special coating Hybrid Fresh, which can be damaged by aggressive chemicals. Always test the product on a small area before full use.

How to remove the smell of mold in an LG refrigerator

Mold is one of the most difficult problems. It not only emits a strong musty smell, but is also hazardous to health. In refrigerators LG mold most often appears in the drainage system or on the rubber seal. To get rid of it:

1. Completely defrost the refrigerator. Mold is afraid of dryness, so it is important to eliminate all moisture.
2. Treat the affected areas hydrogen peroxide solution (3%) or a specialized antifungal agent (for example, Cillit Bang Black mold).
3. Clean the drainage hole with a thin wire or brush, then rinse it with a vinegar solution.
4. Wash the sealing rubber with a soda solution (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) and dry with a hairdryer in cold mode.
5. Use a UV lamp (if possible). Ultraviolet light destroys mold spores. In models LG with the function UVnano (for example, LG Instaview ThinQ) you can activate the built-in lamp through menu: Settings → Hygiene → UV cleaning.

If mold reappears after 1-2 weeks, check door tightnessIn refrigerators LG with the system Smart ThinQ you can check the tightness of the closure through the mobile application - it will show if the seal is worn out or deformed.

⚠️ Attention: If mold has penetrated the foam layer of the case (this can be seen in the black stains on the walls), self-cleaning will not help. In this case, the thermal insulation layer needs to be replaced, which is only possible in a service center.

Prevention: how to prevent the appearance of odor

The best way to deal with odor is to prevent it from appearing LG:

• 📅 Regular cleaning -do not wash the refrigerator. less than once a month. For models with No Frost wiping without defrosting is sufficient.
• 🥩 Proper storage of products - store meat, fish and cheeses in airtight containers or vacuum bags in refrigerators LG s. zone Fresh 0°C (for example, LG GC-X247CVA), products remain fresh longer, but still require proper packaging.
• 🧊 Humidity control —use absorbents (silica gel, soda) or special containers to absorb moisture.
• 🔍 Checking the drainage - once every 3 months, clean the drainage hole, even if there is no smell. Mucus accumulates in it, which begins to smell over time.
• 📱 Use smart functions - in refrigerators LG ThinQ You can set up notifications about the need for cleaning or checking the temperature through the application.

Pay attention to zonal organization products in refrigerators LG with technology Door-in-Door (for example LG GR-D247SLZ) the upper compartments of the door are intended for drinks and sauces, and not for perishable foods. Violation of this rule leads to rapid spoilage of food and the appearance of odor.

What to do if the odor appears after a power outage?

If the refrigerator LG was left without electricity for a long time, and after turning it on, a smell appeared, this means that the food has spoiled and bacteria have spread on the internal surfaces. In this case:

1. Throw away all the food that was in the refrigerator when it was turned off.

2. shelves and containers with a solution of vinegar or chlorhexidine.

3. Wipe the sealing gum with alcohol (70%).

4. Leave the refrigerator open for 12-24 hours to ventilate.

5. After turning on, set the mode. Super Cool for 2-3 hours - this will help “freeze out” the remaining bacteria.

Common mistakes when dealing with odor in the refrigerator

Many refrigerator owners LG make the same mistakes, which only aggravate the problem. data-i="213">do: cannot do:

• 🚫 Use fragrances (air fresheners, perfumes) - they only mask the smell, but do not eliminate its cause. In addition, mixing aromas can give an even more unpleasant result.
• 🚫 Wash the refrigerator with hot water - this can deform the plastic parts and damage the sealing rubber. The optimal water temperature is 30-40°C.
• 🚫 Ignore the drainage hole - even if you wash the shelves, a dirty drainage system will be a source of odor.
• 🚫 Store open canned food —metal cans oxidize and give the refrigerator a specific “iron” smell. Transfer the contents to glass containers.
• 🚫 Close the refrigerator immediately after washing —moisture evaporates slowly, and if you close the door, this will cause to the appearance of mold.

In models LG with the function Smart Diagnosis (for example, LG GA-B489TGQZ), you can check the correctness of care through the built-in diagnostic system. If after cleaning the hygiene indicator is gone. is still glowing red, which means you missed the contaminated area.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to use bleach for washing an LG refrigerator?

No, bleach is too aggressive for plastic surfaces and can damage the antibacterial coating. Instead, use a vinegar solution or specialized products for refrigerators.

Why does the smell appear even after general cleaning?

Most likely, the source of the smell is in the drainage system or behind the back panel (for example, in the evaporator). In this case, you will need to disassemble the refrigerator, which is best entrusted to the service center specialists.

How often do you need to change the absorbent in the refrigerator?

Depends on the type of absorbent:

• Soda or charcoal - every 2-3 weeks.
• Silica gel - once every 1-2 months (can be restored by calcining in the oven).
• Specialized absorbents (for example, LG Kholaday Fresh) - once every 3 months.

Can the smell in an LG refrigerator be a sign of a breakdown?

Yes, if the smell is accompanied by:

• A constant hum of the compressor.
• Heating of the case.
• The appearance of oily stains on the floor under the refrigerator.

In this case, you need to call a technician to diagnose the compressor or freon circuit.

How to wash an LG refrigerator with an antibacterial coating?

Use mild detergents without abrasives and chlorine. The best option is a vinegar solution (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water) or specialized sprays marked “for antibacterial coatings.”