Bad odours in your refrigerator can be difficult to eliminate, and despite regular cleaning, some smells linger and seep into your food. Luckily, a cleaning expert has revealed an easy and natural solution to getting rid of these unwanted odours – and you may already have it in your kitchen.
Homeowners often rely on baking soda to get rid of smells, but this method has mixed reviews as it doesn’t always work. However, a common food often enjoyed in the morning is also a powerful deodoriser, and the cleaning expert urges that it is worth a try. The trick? dried oats.
Daniel Heayberd, a cleaning professional and operations director at Mustang Hygiene, explained the cleaning hack to Home and Gardens. He said: “Using dried oats to remove fridge smells isn’t just a strange tip; it’s a vintage method that’s secretly genius.
“Think of oats as miniature neutralising sponges. They’re highly absorbent, naturally odourless, and can pull weird odours right out of the air in your fridge without leaving a scent of their own, making them one of nature’s best deodorisers to use around your home.
“While everyone else is rushing to the baking soda or coffee grounds, oats are just sitting there with unsung potential.”
Odours in a refrigerator are typically caused by bacteria or mould due to spoiled food or moisture buildup. According to kitchen experts at Electrolux, “The interior of the refrigerator is primarily made of plastic, and plastic absorbs odours.
“If the refrigerator is not regularly cleaned, it is most likely the reason why it smells.” Another common but often overlooked source of bad smells is the drip pan.
This pan sits underneath the fridge and collects moisture from the condensate line. If not cleaned, it can develop mould and cause a musty odour.
Baking soda is a popular natural method for banishing fridge odours. Simply place a container of baking soda in your fridge for 24 hours. If the smell is really bad, you can also add a few drops of essential oils.
A second option is using ground coffee, which is useful for neutralising strong odours like those from spoiled meat. Spread the ground coffee on a plate and place it in the fridge for 24 hours. For best results, pair this method with a deep clean of your fridge to fully eliminate lingering odours and bacteria.
Another suggestion is using vanilla extract. Dab a few drops of vanilla extract onto one or two cotton balls, then place them in a shallow dish. Set the dish at the back of your refrigerator to help freshen the air with a pleasant scent.