Get Rid Of

How to Get Rid of a Bad Smell in Your Fridge

Updated · 4 min read

An open refrigerator with food on the shelves and drinks in the door
Photo: Bretwa, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

Throw out anything spoiled, take the shelves out, and wash the inside, door, and seal with hot water and baking soda. Leave the door open to air it out. If the smell stays, try a vinegar wipe and an open container of baking soda or coffee grounds. For a fridge that sat full of spoiled food after a power cut, you may need to repeat the clean several times.

Quick steps

  1. Empty the fridge and throw out anything spoiled or past its date.
  2. Wash shelves and drawers in hot, soapy water.
  3. Wipe the inside, door, and rubber seal with hot water and baking soda.
  4. Leave the door open for at least 15 minutes to air it out.
  5. Keep an odor absorber on a shelf and replace it on schedule.

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1. Empty it and throw out the source

Take everything out. Throw away anything spoiled, leaking, or past its date, and check jars for mold under the lid. Put the good food in a cooler while you clean.

2. Wash everything

Take out the shelves and drawers and wash them in hot, soapy water. Let glass shelves warm to room temperature first so they don’t crack.

The USDA recommends washing the inside of the fridge, the door, and the rubber seal with hot water and baking soda. Get into the folds of the door seal; spills and crumbs collect there. Rinse with clean water and dry.

3. Check the hidden spots

If the smell is still there, it’s often coming from somewhere you can’t see:

  • The drain hole at the back of the fridge, which can clog with food. Clear it as your manual describes.
  • The drip pan underneath, behind the kickplate. Spills can drain into it and sit there.
  • Under the crisper drawers, where vegetable juice pools.

4. Air it out

Leave the door open for at least 15 minutes. For a strong smell, the USDA suggests wiping the inside with equal parts vinegar and water, then leaving the fridge empty with the door open for a while longer.

5. Keep it fresh

Put an open box of baking soda or a fridge odor absorber on a shelf and replace it as the pack says. Store strong foods like onions, cut fish, and cheese in sealed containers.

If the whole kitchen smells, not just the fridge, check the microwave and the sink drain, or see how to get rid of cooking smells.

After a power outage

When a fridge sat full of spoiled food, the smell can soak deep into the plastic. The USDA suggests repeating the cleaning several times. Other things to try are rolled-up newspaper or a dish of fresh coffee grounds left inside with the door closed for a few days. If none of it works, the fridge may need to be replaced.

Not sure which absorber to use? See what absorbs odors: baking soda vs charcoal vs vinegar.

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Common questions

How do I get rid of the smell after a power outage?

Throw out spoiled food, then follow the full clean: wash, sanitize, and air it out. The USDA says you may need to repeat it several times. If nothing works, the fridge may need replacing, because the smell can get into the insulation.

Why does my fridge still smell after cleaning?

Check the places that are easy to miss: the drip pan underneath, the drain hole at the back, the door seal folds, and under the crisper drawers. A spill can run down into any of these.

Does baking soda really work in the fridge?

Baking soda in an open container absorbs some smells in a clean fridge. It won't fix a fridge that still has a source of smell inside it.

How long does it take for a fridge smell to go away?

Once the spoiled food is gone and the fridge is washed, most smells clear within a day or two with baking soda or charcoal inside. A smell that lasts longer usually means something is still in the drip pan, the drain, or the door seals.

Why does the bottom of my fridge smell?

Check the drip pan under the fridge, behind the bottom grille. Water from the defrost drain collects there, along with anything spilled inside that ran down the drain.

Sources