How to get rid of the smell in the refrigerator at home

The unpleasant smell emitted by the refrigerator can ruin the mood not only for the owners of the house, but also for the guests. Sometimes it is so strong or specific that it is able to penetrate even into the next rooms. What to do in such cases? Is it possible to eliminate the unpleasant smell from the refrigerator or the only way out is to buy a new unit?

Causes of odor

Doubtful "flavor" in the refrigerator does not appear by itself. Therefore, before choosing a way to eliminate it, you need to identify the reasons for its occurrence.

The most common sources of unpleasant odors are:

1. Plastic particles on the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber: usually this smell is characteristic of a new technique. To eliminate it does not require any special tools. It is enough to wipe the inside and outside of the refrigerator with a damp cloth and leave it with the door open for 1-2 days.
2. Results of vital activity of microorganisms, most often - mold fungi or microbes. In such a situation, it is more difficult to get rid of the smell; simple washing will not be enough. To solve the problem will have to use traditional methods or household chemicals.

It would seem, how in a refrigerator are capable to hang up microorganisms, if this device is intended to protect products from them? The reason for their appearance can be one of the following circumstances:

• malfunction of the refrigerator, leading to defrosting of the freezer;
• power outage, provoking food spoilage;
• improper storage of products (unpacked, outside containers or bags);
• storage of expired products: the temperature maintained in the refrigerator is not low enough to prevent the activity of microbes and stop the processes of decay.

Household chemicals and odor absorbers for refrigerators

Usually, household chemicals are used in cases where it is not possible to remove the smell using popular methods. Most often this happens when meat is spoiled in the refrigerator, fish is stored incorrectly, etc. The smell in such cases can spread to the entire kitchen, and even to the next room.

The most popular is OdorGone, a water-based odor remover. Under this name several types of absorbers and odor neutralizers are produced: for rooms, furniture, equipment, trash cans, and even animals. The tool is considered safe for health and environmentally friendly, approved for use in children's rooms.

A good helper will be the Top House kit, which includes a spray and a special napkin. The tool not only effectively removes dirt and dust, but also fights germs and also absorbs odors.

Gel Clean Home is an effective and safe detergent for refrigerators that does not require rinsing. It is based on hydrogen peroxide, so that the gel effectively cleans the surface without damaging them.

ZOOL ZL-377 cleaner will not only help to clean the refrigerator or refresh it, but also prevent the appearance of mold.It has disinfectant properties, effective and non-toxic.

The following types of air fresheners and odor absorbers are very popular:

• balls filled with silica gel, which not only absorbs odors, but also excessive moisture;
• egg-shaped odor absorbers;
• carbon filter absorbers;
• gel odor absorbers;
• ionization absorbers, which not only eliminate odors, but also inhibit the activity of various microorganisms.

Removing the odor from the refrigerator using popular methods

Not only household chemicals can cope with the unpleasant smell from the refrigerator. This task is within the power and habitual to us food.

1. Soda. This inexpensive product has excellent absorbent properties and absorbs virtually any odor. In order to refresh the refrigerator, it is enough to pour soda in 2-3 saucers and put them on the shelves. This air freshener will work 4-5 weeks, after which the soda will need to be replaced. It should be remembered that soda can not affect germs, so the refrigerator should be pre-washed.
2. Vinegar, diluted with water in equal shares, is often used by experienced housewives as a cleaner for the refrigerator.To fix the result, you can put an open container with this solution on the shelf of the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
3. Although the coffee beans do not absorb odors, they can help refresh a clean refrigerator or mask the smell of a new unit.
4. Black bread will help to cope with the newly aroma. It is enough to cut half a loaf into pieces and put it on the shelves. It is not recommended to keep the bread in the refrigerator for more than 10-12 hours, since Otherwise, the product may begin to deteriorate, which will add to the existing smells a couple more not of the most pleasant shades.
5. Lemon juice mixed with vodka (1 part lemon to 10 parts vodka) will turn into an excellent detergent with a refreshing effect. To fix the effect in the refrigerator, you can keep a slice of citrus itself.
6. Activated carbon. From crushed tablets of activated charcoal it turns out a wonderful freshener for a refrigerator. To do this, it is enough to grind them, put them on a saucer and leave in the refrigerator for at least overnight. Charcoal has the same property, but finding it is not so easy.
7. A teaspoon of ammonia, diluted in a liter of water, will help clean the refrigerator from both impurities and odors.

Before you put in a refrigerator that can absorb odors, do not forget to pre-wash and dry the unit. Otherwise, you will be “idle” to deal with the investigation without eliminating the causes.

How to get rid of the smell of meat in the refrigerator

Few things compare in durability and disgust with the smell of missing meat. Its source is the result of the activity of anaerobic bacteria, so first get rid of their source of nutrition. For safety reasons, it will be reasonable for health to get rid of other products, especially those that were stored in open form or in loosely closed containers.

Due to the fact that the refrigerator has to be thoroughly cleaned (this smell is very corrosive and is literally absorbed into all surfaces), it must first be turned off and then all contents, including not only products, but also shelves, drawers and other removable parts, including the doors.

Primary cleaning is best done using household chemicals. Then you need to wipe the entire inner surface of the refrigerator with a detergent prepared according to the popular recipe:

• soda solution or powder;
• water with ammonia dissolved in it;
• lemon juice with water;
• table vinegar with water.

Especially carefully it is necessary to process all parts from plastic, since they differ in their ability to absorb any odors. They must be removed, washed thoroughly with detergent and wiped with a solution prepared by yourself.

After washing, do not rush to install the doors and shelves in place and turn on the unit. The refrigerator needs airing, so it’s better to move all the removable parts of the refrigerator to the balcony, and in the room where the appliances are located, open windows more often. To achieve the result, periodic washing and airing may take 5-30 days, it all depends on how long the spoiled product has been in the refrigerator.

If your actions were successful, you can assemble and turn on the refrigerator. In this case, do not forget to place inside the saucer with products or substances that absorb odors: soda, lemon, activated or charcoal, etc. You can use and purchased fresheners.

In cases where, after all such measures taken, the smell from the refrigerator has not gone away, it can be concluded that microorganisms have managed to penetrate into its internal parts and components.For their processing, you will need to disassemble the refrigerator almost completely, and without the help of a specialist you cannot cope with this business. As a result, some owners of the equipment spoiled by a smell decide that it is simpler to buy the new unit, than to try to do something with the old one.

The room in which the refrigerator is located also needs careful cleaning. We need to wash the walls and floors, wipe all the furniture and more often keep the windows open.

How to remove the smell of fish from the refrigerator

Fish is not only healthy and tasty, but also has a specific smell, even when cooked. In its raw form, this product smells much stronger, the smell itself is easily absorbed into any objects and it is rather difficult to remove it.

To rid the refrigerator of the fish "flavor", it must first be defrosted, then washed with detergent, wiped clean with a damp cloth and dried completely.

After that, you can use one of the popular methods for the final removal of the smell (wipe the walls with soda, arrange saucers with coal in the refrigerator, etc.), but the best effect will be rubbing all the walls of the refrigerator with lemon juice. After three hours after processing, the juice will need to be washed off and leave the refrigerator to air for 1-2 hours.

After the refrigerator is cleaned and completely dried, you can connect it to the network. Do not forget to put on the shelves of the unit of products or products that absorb odors.

What to do if the refrigerator smells like mold

Mold, without exaggeration, the most unpleasant guest. Most often it settles inside those refrigerators that are used periodically, for example, in the country. In addition to the unpleasant smell, mold also forms visible non-aesthetic spots. You can get rid of both the fungus itself and its smell. The stores sell a large number of relevant funds. But, most likely, the refrigerator will have to be processed several times.

Ways to combat mold
Today in the shops you can find the means for mold of the most different manufacturers and in any form: spray, powder, emulsion. They should be used strictly adhering to the instructions, which most often boils down to the following: apply the product to or spray it on the surface, leave to act for a few minutes, and then thoroughly wash off its residues at the end of treatment.

Do not clean the refrigerator with copper sulphate solution,no matter how you praise this tool. Of course, it can destroy a mold colony, but it also poses a danger to humans. It is impossible to handle vitriol where food is stored, it is poison.

Household chemicals can be supplemented with household products such as baking soda and vinegar. Handling soda fridge is easy. To do this, pour some soda powder on a regular sponge, slightly moisten it and wipe the refrigerator. Then complete the treatment using a solution of vinegar. Special attention when cleaning the refrigerator from mold should be given to the elastic on the doors, the hole for draining condensate, shelves, pull-out drawers. All that is removed, you need to remove and carefully process.
After cleaning, the refrigerator and its removable parts must be dried well, preferably with a stream of warm air, as mold fungi do not like high temperatures and air movement. To dry the refrigerator, you can use a heat fan or UV-lacquer.

If there is no trace of mold, and the smell does not go away, put a saucer with soda, slices of rye bread or lemon slices in the refrigerator - these products perfectly absorb different smells.

Preventing mold
In the future, so that the mold does not reappear in the refrigerator, try to follow the following recommendations;

1. In time get rid of stale products. If one of them becomes moldy, then there is a risk that the fungus spores will fall on other products and on the walls of the refrigerator;
2. Store food in bags or containers;
3. Maintain cleanliness in the refrigerator, wash it often with a solution of soda and air it;
4. Control the level of humidity inside the refrigerator. Silica gel bags, which we see in the boxes with new shoes, are well suited for this. Just lay them on the shelves of the fridge.

How to avoid the appearance of odors

You have previously encountered the problem of unpleasant smell from the refrigerator or not, it does not matter. In any case, follow the simple guidelines that will allow you to avoid this situation:

1. Check the shelf life of products and do not store food in the clear, use bags, containers, dishes and other accessories;
2. Immediately wipe the dirt (spilled milk, drops of jam, etc.);
3. Use fresheners for the refrigerator.These can be purchased odor absorbers, as well as products that have the same properties: a saucer with soda or ground activated charcoal, half a lemon,
4. Wash the fridge thoroughly twice a year, dismantling all the shelves both in the chamber itself and on the door;
5. When planning a trip for a long time, make a purchase so that by the time of departure, leave the refrigerator empty: no one is insured from a sudden power outage or a breakdown of the refrigerator. Or ask family members or neighbors to periodically visit your apartment.

Unpleasant smell from the refrigerator can seriously complicate life. It is not always easy to get rid of it: it is sometimes necessary to repeatedly wash and air the unit. Therefore, do not forget to check the shelf life of products and follow the recommendations for their storage. Wash the refrigerator regularly and refresh it with the help of folk remedies or special devices.

Video: effective methods to rid the smell of the refrigerator