How to Clean a Smelly Refrigerator

Keep your refrigerator clean to prevent food spoilage.

Even if you're careful about what you put in your refrigerator, it's easy for odors to accumulate from leftover or outdated food items. Those odors can permeate other food in the refrigerator, rendering them inedible. Once you notice the odor starting to waft out of the refrigerator when you open it, it's time for a thorough cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Cooler
• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Dish rack
• Baking soda
• Bucket
• Paper towels
• Small bowl

Instructions

1. Turn the temperature control to the refrigerator off.

2. Remove everything from the smelly refrigerator -- including shelves, drawers and wire racks -- for cleaning. Put perishable items in a cooler if you don't have another clean refrigerator. Throw out food that is moldy, spoiled, expired or that you know will not be consumed.

3. Wash the shelves, drawers and wire racks with a sponge in warm water and dish soap. Put them onto a dish rack to dry.

4. Make a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a quart of warm water in a bucket to clean the smelly refrigerator. With a sponge, wash the inside of the refrigerator with the baking soda solution. Rinse it with a clean sponge and dry the refrigerator with paper towels. You can also let the refrigerator air dry.

5. Wash the outside of the smelly refrigerator and the rubber molding that's around the refrigerator door with warm water and dish soap. Rinse the outside of the refrigerator and rubber molding and let it air dry.

6. Remove the drip pan from beneath the clean refrigerator, if it has one, and clean it in soapy water. Make sure to rinse the drip pan and let it dry before putting it back.

7. Put all the shelves, drawers and wire racks back into the clean refrigerator. Turn the temperature control back on to the desired setting.

8. Clean off sticky food jars with a soapy sponge or cloth, and put all the food back into the refrigerator.

9. Fill a small bowl with baking soda and place it in the back of the refrigerator to help absorb any remaining odors.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water to clean the inside of the refrigerator.

• Never clean a refrigerator with harsh abrasives, scouring pads or harsh cleaners. These items can alter the finish inside the refrigerator.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How to Clean Your Refrigerator
• Vinegar Tips: Cleaning