[Home Tips] How to remove the odor in the refrigerator permanently?

🥼 Why do refrigerators easily have odors?

Hong Kong's weather is hot and humid, and refrigerators are frequently used, which can easily lead to the following problems:

  1. Food stored for too long

    • Expired or spoiled food emits odors, and the circulating air in the refrigerator will spread the odor.

  2. Food packaging is not sealed 🍲

    • Foods with strong odors, such as cooked food, fish, and durian, can "infect" other foods if they are not sealed.

  3. Condensation water accumulation 💧

    • Water accumulated in the drip tray or drain outlet at the bottom of the refrigerator can easily breed bacteria and mold.

  4. Stains remaining on the refrigerator wall or drawers🧽

    • If sauces and food juices drip and are not cleaned for a long time, they will produce a musty smell.

🔍 Common sources of odor in refrigerators in Hong Kong

  • 🐟Seafood and fish (especially those without internal organs)
  • 🥬Rotting leafy vegetables
  • 🥩Raw meat and blood
  • 🧄Garlic, durian, salted fish and other strong-flavored ingredients
  • 🧴Pour sauce and soup
  • 💦Water accumulated in drain outlet and water collection tray causing mold

🧹 Steps to completely remove odor

The editor recommends a three-step approach: thorough cleaning → powerful deodorization → long-lasting odor prevention, solving the problem all in one go!

1️⃣ Comprehensive cleaning (root treatment)🧽

🔌 Turn off the power and empty the refrigerator

  • Unplug the refrigerator, take out all food, and separate what can be kept and what should be discarded .
  • Expired, spoiled, or abnormal-looking food should be discarded immediately.

🧼 Clean the inner walls and drawers

  • Wipe the inner walls, drawers, and rubber edges with warm water + neutral detergent or baking soda solution (2 tablespoons of baking soda + 500ml of warm water).
  • Stubborn stains can be removed and sterilized with a white vinegar solution (1:1 white vinegar to water).

🪠 Clean the drain and the water collection tray

  • There is usually a drip tray at the back or bottom of the refrigerator. Rinse it with hot water and a small amount of white vinegar.
  • Clean the drain holes with a fine-bristle brush or cotton swab to prevent mold growth.

2️⃣ Powerful deodorizing (fast-acting)⚡

🥤 Baking soda absorbs odors

  • Place a small dish of baking soda in the corner of the refrigerator to absorb odor molecules.
  • Replace it every 1-2 months.

🍵 Tea leaves or coffee grounds

  • Put dry tea leaves or dried coffee grounds into a gauze bag to absorb the flavor while having a light fragrance.
  • Replace once a month.

🍋 Lemon slices + salt

  • Sprinkle a little salt on lemon slices and place them in the refrigerator to absorb odors and kill bacteria.

🪵 Activated carbon bag

  • Available in Hong Kong supermarkets or MUJI, it has strong odor absorption capabilities and is suitable for dealing with strong odors.

3️⃣ Long-lasting deodorization (prevent recurrence)♻️

🥡 Food sealed storage

  • Wrap all cooked food, raw meat, and seafood in sealed boxes or plastic bags.
  • Store sauces in sealed glass bottles to prevent leakage.

📅 Regular check-ups

  • Check the refrigerator once a week and use food that is about to expire first.

💨 Keep the room ventilated

  • Do not overfill the refrigerator to ensure good air circulation and reduce the risk of high temperatures that can breed bacteria.

🧴 Regular cleaning

  • Deep clean the refrigerator every 2-3 months, including drawers, seals, and drain pans.

🛠️ Common special situation handling in Hong Kong

  • Durian flavor is gone🥭

    • Wipe the entire cabinet with activated charcoal + white vinegar solution, and then leave grapefruit peels overnight to help neutralize the odor.

  • Stubborn fishy smell🐟

    • Wipe with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda, let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse.

  • Musty 🌫️

    • After wiping with white vinegar, open the door and ventilate for 2 hours, then add baking soda to absorb the odor.

💡 Editor's Tips

  • 🌟Removing odor does not mean covering up the odor , you must clean the source first.
  • 🌟 Baking soda and activated carbon are the most effective and long-lasting odor removal methods for Hong Kong homes.
  • 🌟 If the refrigerator continues to have a strange smell, it may be a problem with the drainage system or condensation accumulation. Check the drain pan and drain pipe.
  • 🌟 Cool food before putting it in the refrigerator to reduce moisture and odor residue.

💬Editor’s summary :
Most refrigerator odors are caused by improper storage and insufficient cleaning . Follow these three steps: cleaning, deodorizing, and preventing odors to keep things fresh. Hong Kong's hot and humid summers make it a good idea to check your refrigerator more frequently so you don't have to worry about a "surprise" smell when you open the door. 🧊✨

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