How to Deodorize a Refrigerator Without Baking Soda

For decades, people have been putting open boxes of baking soda in their refrigerators to absorb strong odors. In recent years, baking soda brands have released specialized refrigerator deodorizers that are even easier to use. But the drawbacks of both of these products is that they're consumable. If you want a deodorizer that works forever, use charcoal.

Things You'll Need

• Charcoal briquettes (not self-lighting)
• Bowl or open container
• Medium cooking pot

Instructions

1. Pick out a bowl, jar or canister that is big enough to hold about 10 charcoal briquettes.

2. Put 10 briquettes in the container. Make sure you use plain, untreated charcoal and not the self-lighting kind.

3. Put the container in the refrigerator. The charcoal will absorb the odors just like baking soda does.

4. After a few months, you may begin to smell odors in your refrigerator again. Eventually, the charcoal will absorb enough odor that the briquettes themselves will begin to smell. When this happens, take the briquettes out of the refrigerator and transfer them to a cooking pot.

5. Place the pot of charcoal on the stove over medium heat for several minutes. When the coals are heated all the way through, the odors will be neutralized. Allow the coals to cool completely in the pot.

6. Wash and dry the container that held the coals in the refrigerator. Put the cooled charcoal back into the container and replace it in the refrigerator.

Tips & Warnings

• Self-lighting charcoal may actually ignite if heated in a pot on a stove.