How to Fix a Smelly Refrigerator

There is nothing like opening your refrigerator door and being slammed in the face with the smell of rotting food. The possibility that food is rotting is high. You need to isolate the smell and clean out your refrigerator to remove the smell.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Rotten food stinks!

   The first step is to empty out your refrigerator of all food. As you come across rotten food, throw it in the trash. Then, clean out your refrigerator with a good anti-bacterial cleaner, a cleaner with bleach or a mixture of baking soda and water.

2. 
    
   Make sure your temperature is right.

   Check the temperature in your refrigerator. It should be somewhere between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is not set correctly, your food could rot earlier than if it is at the correct setting. You may need to adjust the temperature in your refrigerator so it has the correct settings.

3. If your refrigerator is still smelly, check the drain pan underneath the refrigerator as it is possible it is dirty. Empty any water that has drained into the pan and clean it with a gentle detergent and water.

4. 
    
   A clean frig is a happy frig!

   If you have done everything already listed and there is still a smell, check your breaker strips because they could be damaged. If so, they could be allowing moisture to come in to the insulation between the inner and outer walls of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers for this one and you will need to call a professional.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide