How To Freshen Up Your Fridge
Tips For A Fresh Smelling Fridge
A modern fridge is something we rarely think of as a necessity these days; it’s part of our modern lifestyle. However, the problem of nasty odors is not modern and so some form of odor eliminator has always been around. Activated charcoal or coffee grounds are traditional and effective means of preventing foul odors; as useful in a pantry or cool room as they are in an expensive fridge. But what about removing vile smells? Well, here are some useful steps to address that very topic.
1. Remove Food
Take out the plug and all the foodstuff from your refrigerator; everything, from bins, drawers, shelves. Inspect all that you have – even if there is the faintest whiff, trash it. Odors are generally caused by food which is just on the point of ripening. By the way, don’t spend more than four hours on this, otherwise, you’ll have to trash all of your remaining food. To help preserve the good food you do have, put it into some kind of cooler; add ice, if you can.
2. Baking Soda
This incredibly useful substance can be mixed with water (1 cup to 1 gallon), then used via a sponge which is then wrung out to give the whole interior of your fridge a thorough scrubbing. Reach every corner and crevice and spend a full half-hour or more on this; it will be worth it in the end.
3. Movable Parts
Take out every single thing that can be removed from your fridge; shelves, vegetable drawers, bins, rails, etc. Make sure you scrub all of it, even the base of each part, then air dry and put back later on if necessary. Only use the soft side of a kitchen sponge because the scouring pad might scratch the plastic. You should also meticulously clean the drip pan located at the base of the fridge if your model has one (not all do).
4. More Baking Soda
This miracle powder isn’t just useful for scrubbing; it can actually be left in your fridge in an open box arrangement. It will literally suck up bad smells like a vacuum cleaner; for quick fixes try spreading some of it out on a tray and slide the tray into a shelf within your fridge. Discard it the next morning.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Blend apple cider and water, 1:3, pour into a saucepan, and heat up. When it’s just reached boiling-point, pour into a suitably robust container and place straight into your fridge for up to 6 hours. Then, remove and pour away. You should have a fridge that has a vaguely fruity waft, the apple cider vinegar having absorbed any lingering stench.
6. Ground Coffee
This is a great idea, but you might need a second fridge. Once you’ve emptied one fridge and put the contents into a second, pour coffee grounds onto trays on successive shelves. Then, leave for up to 4 days. Remove and you should have a pleasantly smelling fridge. The best thing about it is that coffee grounds are absolutely free. If you’re not a fan of coffee you might want to try cat litter as an alternative. It won’t leave behind that slight coffee aroma.
7. Activated Charcoal
Unlike with coffee, you won’t need to move things out of your fridge into a second fridge, if you purchase some activated charcoal from a local drugstore or pet store. You can simply fill a few cloth bags with the stuff, then place them strategically on a range of shelves. Turn the temperature down to an extra low setting and try not to open the fridge door too much for a few days. Job done!
8. Prevent Odors
The better way to deal with foul odors is of course to get rid of them before they become a problem. With that in view, do a weekly clear out of all products which are near their use-by date. Don’t try to risk it but be proactive; it’s much easier to remove the problem than treat it afterward.
9. Front Load
Foods like meat and fruit can go off especially if they’re tucked away at the back of your fridge. Keep such foods highly visible; move jars and cans further back and keep fresh meats and fruit in the front part of your fridge. If you do this, you’ll begin to quickly notice if anything’s amiss.
10. Seal And Label
With things like take-out and half-eaten meals, it can be tempting to shove them in the fridge and eat them another day. A better policy is to neatly pack them into airtight containers and label them with a date. If you do this, no unpleasant odors will start to emanate and you’ll be able to know exactly when you put it there. Keep your fridge’s temperature somewhere between 35–38 °F, too – this is the optimum temperature that prevents food from going off.
Sources:
- Freshen Up the Fridge – Food $ense
- Refresh Your Fridge – BlackDoctor.org