I’m a Cleaning Editor and I’ve Never Had a Smelly Fridge—Here’s How

Having a clean refrigerator is one thing, but having one that smells clean is another. Implement my routine to get rid of stinky smells for good.

There are few things worse than opening my refrigerator, only to be hit with a waft of a foul odor. It often makes the entire kitchen smell, leading me to continually clean until I find out where the smell is coming from. After experiencing that smell one too many times, I began a fridge cleaning routine that has left me with a clean-smelling refrigerator ever since. If you’ve experienced a stinky refrigerator yourself, you may want to give my tricks a try.

Related: The Best Refrigerators Buying Guide

Why Your Fridge Might Be Smelly

The most obvious culprit of a stinky fridge is spoiled food. Whether it be a forgotten container of leftovers or rotting produce that you never ate, almost everyone has left something in the fridge longer than they’re supposed to. Other possible causes include expired condiments, a spilled sauce or drink hiding in the back of the fridge, or an improperly sealed container of pungent food. Refrigerators are meant to keep our food fresh as long as possible, but nearly every type of food has an expiration date for a reason.

My Daily Routine to Keep My Fridge Smelling Fresh

To ensure that I prevent smells before they start, I do my best to keep an eye on what’s in my fridge each day. I don’t do anything complicated or time-consuming—just a quick scan whenever I look in the fridge. If I see something that I know has been in there too long, I remove it before it can get to a noticeably stinky point. If possible, I freeze anything I can to reduce waste. For example, if the kale I bought (with every good intention) hasn’t been eaten yet and I can tell it’s on the verge of going bad, I seal it in a plastic bag and freeze it for my morning smoothies. This method saves my food from the garbage and my fridge from smelling.

Related: 7 Foods You Should Never Store in Your Freezer (Unless You Want to Ruin Them)

What I Do Weekly to Keep Odor Away

While I keep up with removing spoiled (or about to be spoiled) food daily, a weekly inspection that’s a bit more thorough has proved to help prevent foul-smelling odors. Daily scans are great for obvious culprits, like leftover containers and produce, but I like to spend some extra time once a week to look over the expiration dates on things like dips, dairy products, and other items that could be easily forgotten.

I also check all of the drawers that can go weeks without being opened otherwise. Whether you keep your least favorite veggies or all of your cheese in one of these drawers, don’t let them go unchecked for too long. I also use a multi-purpose cleaner and a cloth to quickly wipe down any easily accessible spots, like the shelves and base of the fridge. This makes monthly cleanings not as daunting and helps minimize any chance of unpleasant smells and messes.

Related: This 1950s Cleaning Method Is Still the Best Way to Scrub Your Fridge

My Quarterly Fridge-Cleaning Routine

Cleaning my fridge is not my favorite chore in the house, but it makes my refrigerator, and kitchen, smell significantly better. Deep cleaning your fridge isn’t necessarily a monthly task, but I aim to do it at least every three months. First, I go through each item in the fridge, including every condiment, to get rid of anything expired. Next, I remove everything from the fridge (this is easiest when done right before restocking groceries). Once the fridge is empty, I take out any removable shelves and drawers.

I use a handheld vacuum to clean up any loose debris before wiping all of the surfaces down with a multi-purpose cleaner and a cloth. I scrub any sticky or dried-on areas with a rough sponge and use warm soapy water to clean all of the removed shelves and drawers. Once dry, I put everything back in its place. Lastly, I will replace the box of baking soda that sits on one of the fridge shelves, which helps absorb any odors that may arise until the next cleaning.

Related: How to Get Rid of Fridge Smells, Including Stale and Foul Odors

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