How to Get That Nasty Smell Out of Your Fridge (For Real This Time)

How to Get That Nasty Smell Out of Your Fridge (Without Losing Your Cool)

 

Have you ever open your fridge and regret it?

Like, you're just reaching for the oat milk for your coffee, and instead — BAM — you're greeted with an odor so bizarre you're wondering why you did everything since grocery day. Yeah… same.

Here's the thing: your fridge is not supposed to smell. But it does. And now you're Googling how to get it not to, and you ended up here. The good news? You're five steps away from a fridge that won’t smell like a compost heap.

And if during the middle of this you decide you don’t ever want to touch another mystery spill again, try checking out these maid cleaning services they’ll clean up for you.

Okay. Let's get into it. (Not literally. Please don't dig into that thing in the storage area.)

Step 1: Take. It. All. Out.

No shortcuts here. That old jar of pickles? Out. The egg carton with only one egg left? Out. That suspicious Tupperware you’ve been avoiding for 11 days? Yeah… especially that one.

Once everything’s out, really look at what you had in there. I once found a slice of pizza folded inside a napkin behind a bottle of hot sauce. No idea how or when. Just vibes.

Anyway — throw out anything expired, smelly, or questionable. Even stuff that’s technically “fine” but smells strong (like onions or blue cheese)? Either seal it tight, or say goodbye.

Step 2: Clean Like You Mean It

If you're already gagging from the smell, cleaning it half-heartedly won’t cut it.

Take out all the shelves and drawers. Wash them in your sink with warm water and dish soap. Scrub, rinse, repeat. If something’s really sticky, let it soak.

And then… the fridge interior itself. Wipe every wall, corner, and crevice. And I do mean every crevice — those rubber seals around the door? They are sneaky little odor traps.

Use a mix of water and white vinegar if you want to keep it natural. Or use a mild all-purpose cleaner. Either works. The point is: get rid of every trace of whatever was creating that funk.

Step 3: The Deodorizer Magic Trick

Even after a full scrub-down, fridges can hang onto smells. Time for some deodorizing.

Here’s what actually works (not a Pinterest fantasy, but real stuff):

  • Open box of baking soda. Leave it on a shelf. Classic. Reliable.

  • Bowl of used coffee grounds. Not kidding. They neutralize odors and your fridge will smell faintly like a cafe.

  • Activated charcoal. It’s not just for face masks — this stuff soaks up smells like a pro.

  • White vinegar in a bowl. Leave it overnight (if your fridge is empty). Smell goes poof.

Don’t bother with citrus peels or vanilla-soaked cotton balls. They’ll just mask the stank. You want to eliminate it, not cover it up with a fake “fresh” scent.

Step 4: Let the Fridge Breathe

If the smell’s really stubborn, you might need to unplug the fridge and leave it open for a few hours. Yes, seriously.

Letting air flow through an empty fridge gives trapped odors time to escape — especially if something leaked deep inside and the smell got into the plastic.

Don’t forget to put down a towel if your freezer defrosts and drips. Trust me. I learned the hard way.

Step 5: Stop the Smell From Coming Back

The best way to avoid doing this whole thing again next month? Prevent the odor before it starts.

Here’s how:

  • Wipe down jars and containers before putting them in.

  • Don’t leave leftovers in there for more than 3–4 days.

  • Keep strong-smelling foods sealed tight.

  • Make it a habit: clean your fridge once a month (even if it looks okay).

  • Replace your baking soda deodorizer every 30 days. Yes, every. single. month.

Bonus tip: Keep a “use first” bin inside your fridge. Anything close to spoiling goes in there, so you don’t forget and find it two weeks later growing legs.

When You’ve Done Everything… and It Still Smells

Yes. It happens.

Occasionally, despite tossing everything and scrubbing as if your life is at stake, this fridge stench won’t go away. When that occurs, most often it is more than skin-deep.

Some of the odors creep into the insulation. Or drip pans (you didn’t even know you had one in your fridge, did you?). Or coils in the rear. And no, you shouldn’t be fooling around in those areas unless you are an expert.

It's time to call in the professionals.

Professional cleaning services are for a reason — and believe me, they have seen (and smelled) it all. When your fridge situation crosses DIY and enters into "oh god, what's that," try out these extreme cleaning services. Sometimes it's just easier to have someone else don the gloves.

Don’t Let a Stinky Fridge Win

Your refrigerator is where your groceries reside. If it reeks, chances are that something yucky is hiding in it — and nobody wants their spaghetti sauce having a mystifying funk.

Deal with it now. Or… have someone else do it and go light a candle and take some fresh air.

Want a hand in making this one even more stealthy? Need it modified for local search or to print out for a kitchen bulletin board? Just give the word.

Grace Reynolds