How do you get rid of a smell in the fridge?
Odor removal is a search problem before it is a cleaning problem. Empty the refrigerator entirely and check the places smells hide: under and behind drawers, the crisper bottoms where liquid pools, the door gaskets where spills dry in the folds, the drip pan underneath on many models, and any food that has quietly failed at the back. Then wash all interior surfaces and removable parts with warm water and a mild detergent or a dilute baking soda solution, dry thoroughly, and pay particular attention to the rubber gaskets, which harbor both odor and mold and are frequently never cleaned.
Only after the source is gone do absorbers matter, and the famous open box of baking soda is weaker than its reputation, useful for mild maintenance but not for fixing an established smell. Activated charcoal absorbs odors considerably more effectively and is sold for this purpose, and a bowl of fresh coffee grounds or a tray of used cat litter, unappealing as that sounds, both work for stubborn cases over several days. Persistent smell after a thorough cleaning usually means it has permeated the plastic liner, which sometimes responds to a paste of baking soda left on surfaces overnight, or something remains in an unreached spot such as under the unit or in a drain line. Preventively, store food covered, wipe spills immediately, and keep an eye on the crisper drawers, which are where most refrigerator odors are born.
Find and remove the source, then clean every surface including the drip pan and door gaskets. Baking soda helps only after that, and its odor absorbing power is far weaker than the box on the shelf implies. Activated charcoal works better.
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
- American Cleaning Institute
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https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-do-you-get-rid-of-a-smell-in-the-fridge/Everybody Asks. (2026, July 28). How do you get rid of a smell in the fridge? https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-do-you-get-rid-of-a-smell-in-the-fridge/“How do you get rid of a smell in the fridge?” Everybody Asks, 28 July 2026, https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-do-you-get-rid-of-a-smell-in-the-fridge/.“How do you get rid of a smell in the fridge?” Everybody Asks. Last modified July 28, 2026. https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-do-you-get-rid-of-a-smell-in-the-fridge/.This page summarizes the primary sources listed above. For academic or encyclopedic work, cite those primary sources directly wherever possible.