Why the refrigerator stinks: 7 reasons that lead to an unpleasant odor

Sometimes you open the refrigerator and a rather unpleasant odor comes out. It can even appear almost immediately after cleaning and begin to negatively affect the food inside.

Is there anything you can do about it? Cleaning experts say yes. OBOZ.UA has collected their top tips. Let's put them in the form of bad habits that you need to get rid of immediately if you want your refrigerator to smell good.

You leave food out and let it spoil

Probably the most common cause of bad odors from the fridge is old food left in there. Even crumbs can cause it. Therefore, regularly check the refrigerator and eat the leftovers or throw away the spoiled food. If the odor has already appeared, you may also need to wash the appliance's interior. A mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent will do the trick. It will not only clean the walls and shelves, but also remove the unpleasant odor.

You don't wash the refrigerator

When was the last time you really cleaned your fridge? It's a big job that many people break down into small tasks. People often tend to think that a weekly wet cleaning of the compartment is more than enough. For current tasks, yes. But don't forget to defrost it completely and wash it thoroughly at least once a year.

You don't clean up spills right away

Failure to clean up spills in the refrigerator as soon as possible can also contribute to unpleasant odors. Use a napkin or paper towel to collect all the liquid, and then wipe the area with baking soda or at least plain water.

You don't use a deodorizer

Baking soda is a great deodorizer and really worth keeping in the fridge to absorb odors. Pour the powder into several shallow but wide bowls and place them on the shelves. The baking soda crystals will trap the fragrance molecules.

However, the filling of these bowls should be changed regularly, as it loses its effectiveness over time. Fresh soda should be added at least once a month. By the way, instead of baking soda, you can use crushed activated charcoal, dry coffee grounds, citrus peels, and vanilla extract applied to cotton pads.

You use plastic food containers

Yes, it is very convenient to store food in plastic containers. But keep in mind that they can increase the unpleasant odor. It's not as easy to wash out of plastic. Replace plastic containers with glass storage vessels and the odor will disappear. Leave the plastic for something inedible. For example, materials for handicrafts or small repairs.

You close the lids incorrectly

All foods and dishes that have even the slightest odor should be stored in the refrigerator closed. The lid should be tight and fit hermetically to the container. It should also have a rubber seal.

You do not use mats

Silicone mats for refrigerator shelves solve several problems at once. First, they make the surfaces less slippery. And second, they are easy to remove for cleaning. Reusable refrigerator mats retain spilled liquid, prevent odors and are easy to clean, providing a hygienic environment in the refrigerator.

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