Power outages aside, your fridge works 24/7, every day of the year. That’s a lot of work and keeping the fridge smelling fresh is no mean feat. But with our tips it can be done.
1. Regularly clean your fridge freezer
Start with the obvious. Give your fridge it a thorough clean every three to six months. 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, unblock it either with the manufacturer’s unblock tool or a pipe cleaner, straw or cotton bud.
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 and keep food fresher for longer.
3. Clean-up any spills or 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. It’s the same principle as stock rotation on supermarket shelves.
Be vigilant about getting rid of any out-of-date items before they start to smell – don’t wait until food grows ‘fur’ and starts to move!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.
