Cleaning and deodorizing a fridge

Question

My daughter-in-law and son recently returned home to New Zealand after a holiday in South Africa to find that their power had been off for the full duration of 7 weeks. Needless to say, their new fridge and freezer was filled with rotten food. Any suggestions to clean and deodorize. With an eight month old baby in the house, they cannot afford to replace the fridge.

WendysCloset · Answer

Years ago a similar thing happened to me. At the time my Father was an appliance repair man. He told me that if I didn't get the smell out, I would have to toss the frig. Anyway, we literally hosed it out and then stuffed it with newspapers, it sat for three days with the doors taped shut to keep the papers in, then removed all the papers and cleaned it with baking soda, then power on and filled it again for a few more days. It worked, never got the black off the rubber around the doors, but the smell was gone and I used that frig for another 9 yrs. I truly hope this helps!

Renee · Answer

Thank you so much Wendy. I will forward this on to her.

Brenda · Answer

Washing it out with a paste of white vinegar and baking soda mixed will help. I have found that the best odor absorber is kitty litter. Just put in a pan (in their case maybe 2 or 3 pans), let it sit for a few days then change out with fresh litter. Think about it. That's what this stuff was made for :-)

Jo Ann Miller · Answer

Put a pan of UNUSED coffee grounds in the fridge.  In this case you might put several and also put one in the freezer.leave the fridge shut for several hours.  I had a fridge set in the hot garage unplugged for several days and it smelled like rotten meat!  Dry coffee grounds worked wonders.  Good luck.

B. Raye Huth · Answer

Baking Soda

Cynthia Nye · Answer

Not instant light charcoal briquets in an egg carton, absorbs all the odors.

GRAMCK · Answer

I had stored a big side by side fridge for 4 years and it was full of mold. We took it outside, filled a bucket with hot water and bleach and sponged the whole fridge/freezer out and rinsed with hose. Clean and looking brand new still two years later!

Beverly Garvey · Answer

There is an odor remover that's guaranteed to get rid of those type of odors. I have recommended  this before but please don't think I'm getting  paid by the company to endorse  their product. I have used the product and it worked  when  nothing else had. I have spent hundreds of dollars on odor  products  that were so called 'guaranteed ' only to be disappointed. Have her check out the website or contact  customer  service they were helpful  with questions I had before ordering.  Website  is www.scoe10x.  Good luck

Sherrie · Answer

it has probably leaked to the styrofoam that's inside it.  Your going to need to replace it.  All the cleaning stuff in the wold won't get rid of the smell until this is replaced.  You need to get rid of the source of the problem.  You can use the serial and model and Google the symantics or call the manufactor and asked them where it's located.  It is usually just a few screws and it lifts out.

Alice Mitchel · Answer

I recently wrote an article on this topic. I think it would be useful for you. You can tell me later the result, if you choose to do it. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/5-tricks-to-clean-your-fridge-by-your-own-9810938

Cleaning and deodorizing a fridge

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Cleaning and deodorizing a fridge

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