ELIMINATING ODORS FROM YOUR REFRIGERATOR May 2003 Susan Noble Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent

Summertime storms often bring about extended power outages resulting in odors in your refrigerator. After your power has been restored, you will need to clean and deodorize your refrigerator.

Begin by removing all drawers, racks, and shelves. Wash them in soapy water and rinse in clear water. Then wipe them down with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

Wash the inside of the refrigerator with a mixture of one cup baking soda to a gallon of warm water.

Turn on the refrigerator and fill it with clean, crumpled newspaper that has been sprinkled with water. Continue to run the refrigerator for several days, changing newspapers every other day.

Once refrigerator odor has been significantly reduced, place an open box of baking soda inside, and start using your refrigerator again.

E-mail me at: Susan_Noble@ncsu.edu

Mail me at:

Susan Noble
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 05/01/03