Asked on Nov 12, 2013

Getting rid of sour milk smell from the fridge

Linda
by Linda
We had a milk carton leak in the fridge, we cleaned everything in the fridge with soap and water and the smell is still there, any ideas??
  14 answers
  • Z Z on Nov 12, 2013
    Linda, make a paste with baking soda and Dawn dishing washing liquid to scrub the walls and shelves. If you have glass shelves you may want to remove the glass, if you can, so you can clean in the area between the glass and the framework that holds it in place. If you can't remove the glass then using an old toothbrush to get as close as you can should do the trick.
  • Felicity Woodruffe Felicity Woodruffe on Nov 12, 2013
    absolutely the same as above but i was going to say bicarbonate of soda not baking powder then leave some sliced lemons in a shallow dish
  • Starr Hubbs Starr Hubbs on Nov 12, 2013
    Besides what was written above, you can also put charcoal in the fridge for a few days. Especially if there is a way you can leave it empty, it will be even better.
  • Lindsay Jackson Lindsay Jackson on Nov 12, 2013
    Pour a bit of vanilla extract onto a paper towel and wipe the area with it, if needed you can also leave the paper towel in the fridge for a while. This is also great to use to remove 'fishy' smells and other odors from ice chests.
  • Lesa D Lesa D on Nov 13, 2013
    spray it with vinegar. when it dries the smell will be gone.
  • Molly Meredith Molly Meredith on Nov 13, 2013
    Mom always had charcoal in the fridge when I was young (60's). It's an overlooked good thang.
  • Tina Tina on Nov 13, 2013
    I agree with Lesa D. Vinegar is a natural super cleaner against mold, bacteria and germs
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Nov 13, 2013
    it sounds like it has gotten behind the panels in the refrigerator. Which you need to unscrew it and pull it out and clean it.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Nov 14, 2013
    Clean with a solution of vinegar and a dash of dish soap using a toothbrush in the tight spaces Then rise with clear water. I would also try the keeping a baking soda box in the fridge indefinitely.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Nov 14, 2013
    It has leaked behind the panel. No amount of cleaning will fix it unless you remove the panel and clean it. It is a few screws. Some refrigerators have styrofoam behind the panel and if it does you need to replace it. Deactivated charcoal won't remove the smell you need to go to the source of the problem.
  • Donna Donna on Nov 14, 2013
    Charcoal is good and also coffee grounds.
  • Stacie Dutton Stacie Dutton on May 21, 2015
    Linda, did you ever get the sour milk smell removed? I have the same issue and wondering which worked best.
    • See 1 previous
    • Stacie Dutton Stacie Dutton on May 21, 2015
      Thanks Linda! We just did the same thing and already can tell a big difference!!
  • Sybille Zwipp Sybille Zwipp on May 21, 2015
    Diese Frage zu beantworten ...Kühlschrank mit Essig reinigen,
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 14, 2023

    I was going to suggest the drip pan underneath the refrig, that does need to be cleaned out every now and again.