Awesome tips for getting rid of fridge pong

July 5th, 2012

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Perhaps there’s been a power cut, a spill that never got wiped up, or you’ve been away for the weekend while a science project has been growing in the fridge. Either way, opening up the door to be greeted with a wave of stinky air is enough to put you off your food!

The only way to get rid of bad odours in the fridge is to give it a good old fashioned clean!

First you’ll need to turn off the fridge and switch it off at the wall before emptying absolutely everything out of it – it’s best to start at the end of your shopping week when the fridge is empty. Anything that may perish in the meantime can be kept alongside ice in an Esky. This is a good chance to get rid of expired condiments and other perishables.

Next, take out the shelves and grills and give them a wash in hot soapy water. Make sure that glass shelves have been given time to warm to room temperature lest they shatter in the hot water. Add a bit of vinegar or bleach to the water for an added spurt of disinfectant. Let them dry completely.

If the fridge has a drip tray it’s important to carefully remove this and tip it out; follow this up by giving it a thorough clean with the above method.

Inside the fridge you’ll want to start with hot soapy water and a sponge. Stuck-on bits of sauce and God knows what definitely need to be scrubbed off as well.

Getting rid of stubborn smells in the fridge may require another scrub with baking soda. Wipe it clean of baking soda and follow up with a vinegar/water rinse. Being acidic, vinegar is also great against mildew which may be forming in the fridge.

If the above hasn’t worked and time without a fridge isn’t a hassle, try stuffing scrunched up newspaper inside the fridge and closing the door for a couple of days. Failing that, a few cotton swabs soaked in vanilla essence with the door closed for 24 hours may do the trick.

After any of these tips, leave the fridge door open for an hour or so (or as long as possible) to allow fresh air to circulate through it before putting back in the shelves and turning it on.

Preventing bad smells in the fridge starts with throwing out things as soon as they turn dodgy. Also, a small pottle of either baking soda, coffee grounds or rolled oats kept in the fridge will absorb bad smells as they manifest.

If all else fails, buy a new one!