The refrigerator is one of the hardest-working appliances in your kitchen. It keeps all your food fresh, safe, and ready to eat — so long as it’s properly maintained!
Sometimes, though, the fridge smells bad even after cleaning. Usually, it’s due to spoiled food, a dirty drip tray, or even a mechanical malfunction.
To get rid of odours in your fridge, you’ll need to clean it with white vinegar or lemon juice. Then use natural deodorisers like activated charcoal, baking soda, or old newspapers.
Refrigerators should smell nice and clean, and not like last week’s dinner. If you catch a whiff of something funky, here’s how to tackle it ASAP!
Cleaning A Smelly Fridge | Getting Rid of Smells In Fridge | Preventing Unpleasant Odours
Why Does My Fridge Smell Even Though It’s Clean?
There are several reasons why your refrigerator and freezer smell even after cleaning.
Some common culprits include spoiled food or dirty parts (like the drip tray).
Spoiled or expired food
Rotten food in the fridge leads to bad smells, and may even become a health risk due to mould or bacteria growth.
Improper storage, incorrect temperatures, or a long power outage can all cause the food in your fridge to spoil. Spilled food or drinks can also go bad if not cleaned in time.
Overcrowded shelves also lead to poor air circulation and make your fridge warmer, leading to food going bad.
NOTE: Some foods just have strong smells, like curries or fish dishes! Store these properly so the scent doesn’t take over your fridge.
Missed spots while cleaning
Even with regular cleaning, you may miss spots inside the refrigerator — say, underneath removable drawers or on the door seals.
Any dirt and food debris that accumulates can go bad, causing bad smells and even mould. So make sure you get into every nook and cranny while cleaning!
Freezer smells
If you’ve cleaned the entire fridge and there’s still an unpleasant smell, it could be your freezer.
Leaking meat juices, incorrect temperatures, and overcrowding may cause spoilage and bad smells. You’ll need to defrost and deep clean the freezer to remove the odours.
Dirty drip pan
The unpleasant smell may be coming from outside your fridge, too. Many of us overlook the drip pan when cleaning, and the moisture build-up makes it a prime spot for grime and mould.
Check the drip tray or pan regularly and clean it every 2–3 months.
Dirty air filter
Some modern refrigerator models have air filters that help reduce food odours! However, they become less effective with prolonged use.
Depending on the manufacturer, you’ll need to regularly replace or clean the filter to keep your fridge smelling fresh.
Clogged drainage hole
Many refrigerators have a drain hole — a small opening at the back of the fridge/freezer that drains any water from condensation or defrosting.
The drain can become clogged by water deposits, food spills, and other messes.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove any covers and wipe the opening with a cotton bud dipped in vinegar. Check the tube as well; if it’s clogged, refer to the manual for how to flush it out.
Mechanical malfunction
A malfunctioning cooling system means your fridge can’t maintain the correct temperatures. If it gets too warm inside, bacteria can grow and lead to food spoilage.
Your fridge should have an internal temp of 1.5º–5ºC, and the freezer below –15ºC. For appliances without thermostats, get a fridge thermometer!
How to Clean a Smelly Fridge
Before anything else, identify the cause of the bad smell in your refrigerator! For spoiled food, toss it out immediately and check nearby items for contamination.
Afterwards, you’ll need to deep clean the fridge with either white vinegar or lemon juice. Both can neutralise odours on the interior surfaces.
Make sure to work with your refrigerator switched off and unplugged. Wear a face mask and rubber gloves, and keep the room well-ventilated.
Cleaning inside the fridge
Prep your fridge by emptying all the contents. Place perishable items in an esky — they can only sit at room temperature for less than 2 hours.
Remove the shelves and drawers, then let them come to room temp before washing! Otherwise, they may crack.
In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar or lemon juice and warm water. Thoroughly saturate the interior surfaces of your fridge and let the solution sit for up to 15 minutes to eliminate odours.
Clean the surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse off any residue with a damp cloth.
For the door gasket, stick to warm water and dish soap. Scrub the folds clean with an old toothbrush, getting between the folds.
Thoroughly dry the fridge afterwards before leaving the door open to air out any lingering smells.
In the meantime, wash the shelves and drawers with hot water and dish soap, then dry. Alternatively, use the same cleaning solution as the fridge!
Once the refrigerator is dry and the odours have dissipated, return all the shelves and food items.
Cleaning outside the fridge
You’ll also need to tackle the drip pan and refrigerator coils. These may be the culprits if your fridge smells bad even after cleaning.
Carefully remove the pan from the back of the fridge, then wash it in hot, soapy water. If it’s extra grimy, sprinkle a little baking soda before scrubbing to remove stubborn dirt and odours.
Meanwhile, dirty fridge coils may prevent your appliance from cooling properly. Vacuum around them using the crevice or nozzle attachment, then clean the coils with a coil brush or soft duster.
Make sure everything is dry before reattaching the drip pan.
How to Get Rid of Smells In Your Fridge
There are a few methods to absorb or neutralise odours inside your fridge.
You can place these natural deodorisers in the refrigerator for a few hours after cleaning, or — in some cases — keep them inside to prevent smells from building up.
Activated charcoal
Charcoal is great for absorbing all sorts of odours! To remove refrigerator smells, place a shallow container of activated charcoal inside both the fridge and freezer.
For stubborn odours, place 2–3 containers in different spots, such as inside the bottom bin and on a door shelf.
Leave for a few hours or, if used as a deodoriser, change the charcoal whenever you notice smells building up again.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a common solution for tackling smells as it helps neutralise volatile odour molecules in the air.
Use a shallow container so you have as much baking soda exposed to the air as possible — this makes it more effective.
Place shallow containers of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezer for a few hours. For prolonged use, opt for a deeper container and skim off the top layer every few weeks.
Coffee grounds
Ground coffee can absorb unpleasant odours — just make sure it’s unused, dried coffee! Used coffee will attract moisture and can go mouldy.
Place a shallow bowl of dry coffee grounds inside the fridge and leave it there. Replace as needed.
Lemons
This method works a little differently, as you can’t just leave some lemon slices in your fridge. There’s a chance they’ll become mouldy due to moisture exposure.
(You can place used lemons in the freezer for a few days, though!)
Instead, scrub the inside of your fridge with a cut lemon, getting into all the nooks and crannies. The juice will neutralise any odours remaining on the surfaces.
Wait a few minutes, then wipe the refrigerator dry.
Old newspapers
It’s best to use this method to eliminate refrigerator odours after cleaning — you shouldn’t leave bunched-up newspaper in the fridge with food inside!
Crumple a few sheets of old newspapers into loose balls, then place them inside the fridge. Close the door and leave the papers inside for several hours to absorb any unpleasant smells.
Be sure to recycle the newspapers properly afterwards.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract (or cooking vanilla) helps mask strong odours inside a fridge! It’s best used after cleaning to add a fresh scent.
Moisten 1–2 cotton balls with a few drops of vanilla extract, then place them in a shallow container on a fridge shelf. Close the door and leave the cotton in for a few hours so the scent can do its job.
Kitty litter
If you have cats, fresh kitty litter is great for absorbing odours!
Simply put some clean cat litter in a shallow container and leave it in the fridge for a few hours.
How to Prevent Unpleasant Odours in Your Fridge
Accidental messes happen, but there are steps you can take to minimise odours in your fridge.
Always store leftover foods tightly wrapped or in airtight containers. For things that come in their own containers — like jams or condiments — make sure the lids are properly closed.
At least once a week, check the food in the fridge for any spills or leaks. Wipe up the mess ASAP and toss out anything that has spoiled or gone stale.
Deep clean your fridge every 3–4 months, inside and out. Don’t forget the door seals and the drip pan at the back.
Consider using a natural deodoriser to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh. A small container of baking soda or activated charcoal won’t take up much space.
Lastly, sweep or vacuum the floor underneath the fridge regularly. You never know what’s accumulated in that tiny space!
If you’re still having trouble with fridge smells, try out a professional fridge cleaning with Maid2Match.
FAQs About Cleaning a Smelly Fridge
Need to know more about getting rid of fridge smells? We’ve rounded up some common questions or concerns.
What is the best odour eliminator for refrigerators?
For cleaning, white vinegar is highly effective at neutralising odours inside a fridge.
Meanwhile, activated charcoal, baking soda, or dry coffee grounds can absorb odours when left in your refrigerator.
How long does it take for fridge smells to go away?
Mild odours can dissipate from your refrigerator within a few hours!
However, stronger odours — especially if absorbed by fridge surfaces or insulation — can persist for a few days or even weeks. You may have to clean and deodorise several times before the smell is fully gone.
If the unpleasant smells linger even after a few weeks (despite cleaning and deodorising) you may have to replace the fridge.
My fridge smells like fish but there’s no fish?
If you notice a fishy smell coming from your fridge and there’s no fish inside, check the outlet and wiring immediately.
The early stages of an electrical fire can smell like fish or ammonia. You may also hear a crackling or “tick tick tick” type of noise.
Unplug the fridge, shut off the breaker, and contact an electrician ASAP.
My fridge smells like gas — why?
If your fridge smells like chemicals or gas, you likely have a freon leak. Freons are the chemicals used to keep refrigerators cool.
Any fault in the internal cooling system can cause freon to leak out into the fridge, leading to a chemical odour. This can contaminate your food and become a health risk.
Contact a professional immediately to repair your fridge and replace the coolant. Clean your fridge thoroughly afterwards.
