Tips to Keep Your Fridge Smelling Fresh
Your fridge works hard 24/7, every day of the year.
But we’ve all had times when we’ve gone to retrieve a snack and been met by a waft of something bad.
Sometimes the culprit’s obvious, sometimes it’s not.
The good news is there are several easy ways to keep your fridge smelling fresh. Read how in our handy guide.
1. Keep your fridge freezer squeaky clean
To ensure your fridge always smells fresh, give it a thorough clean every three to six months.
Always switch off and unplug your fridge freezer first. If you have a frost-free fridge freezer you can get to work straight away – if you don’t, you’ll have to manually defrost your fridge freezer before you can clean.
Wash removable shelves, racks and drawers by hand in warm, soapy water – gently scrubbing off any stuck-on food.
Then use a mild detergent to wipe down the inside of your fridge, paying special attention to corners, grooves and the drain hole at the back where food debris can fall.
If your fridge’s drain hole is clogged, use the manufacturer’s unblock tool that came with it (or a pipe cleaner, straw or cotton bud) to gently remove any food that’s built up.
Fridge still got a smell? Wiping the inside again with a mix of water and white vinegar (a natural deodoriser) should banish any stubborn smells.
2. Don’t store items too close together
Some parts of your fridge are designed to be cooler than others, so always store similar types of food together in the right place – leaving space around items for the air to flow in between.
This will make it easier for your appliance to maintain the right temperature to keep food fresher for longer and minimise fridge freezer smells.
Choosing the right size fridge freezer – whether that’s a big American-style fridge freezer or a smaller under-counter fridge – is the best way to prevent over-filling.
The LG GSLC40PYPE 91.3cm American Fridge Freezer is the ideal size for a busy family – plus its LinearCooling system locks in freshness while its LG NatureFresh tech allows cool air to circulate evenly to reduce food waste.
Or explore our full range of Beko, Blomberg, Bosch, Haier, Hisense, Hoover, LG and Sensis fridge freezers.
3. Deal with spills and leaks straight away
Deal with spills as soon as they happen to prevent food congealing in corners or between shelves, leading to rancid fridge and freezer smells.
Even better, say goodbye to messy spills for good by storing food in sealed square or oblong containers or freezer bags.
This will also stop pungent foods you actually like from permeating the rest of the fridge with their smell.
4. Create an ‘eat me first’ zone in your fridge
Keep a note of what needs eating up and ensure this food is visible when you open the fridge. Creating an ‘eat me first’ zone or box can be useful here.
And be vigilant about getting rid of any out-of-date items before they start to smell – don’t wait until food grows ‘fur’ and starts to move!
5. Use natural deodorisers in your fridge freezer
Finally, using natural deodorisers is an easy (and cheap) way to keep your fridge smelling fresh once it’s clean.
Bicarbonate of soda and baking powder can help absorb and banish lingering smells. Place a small bowl of either in your fridge and replace every month or so.
Got a separate under-counter freezer or chest freezer? Both work just as well here.
Activated charcoal or coffee grounds will also keep your fridge smelling fresh.
Alternatively, choose a fridge freezer with built-in tech to tackle smells – like the Beko CNG4692VW 59.7cm 50/50 Frost Free Fridge Freezer whose AeroFlow Dual No Frost feature minimises temperature fluctuations and distributes air evenly between shelves. Its HarvestFresh tech keeps food fresher for longer too.
If you're not sure on which fridge freezer is right for you, our experts are here to help you find the perfect option for storing your fresh and frozen goods. Find your local store to get personalised advice, or if you're ready to buy, explore our full range of refrigeration appliances.
