:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/using-baking-soda-in-the-refrigerator-1900605-03-31ad517b1dbe42c1a91e31905da45d62.jpg?ssl=1 "Forget Expensive Cleaners—This Home Staple Can Banish Odors in Your Fridge Fast")
Key Points
- Keep an open box of baking soda in the fridge and freezer, and replace it every three months.
- Place boxes on shelves, in drawers, and in the freezer to absorb smells before they spread.
- For tough odors or stains, scrub with a baking soda paste or follow with a vinegar wipe-down.
At one point or another, you’ve probably encountered a dreaded mystery odor in your fridge. Find and eliminate the source of your refrigerator’s foul smell and use a simple home remedy to get rid of the lingering odor—a box of baking soda for the fridge.
Refrigerator baking soda is the same as regular baking soda; the difference is that it’s packaged in a breathable box to tackle odors. Find out how baking soda helps reverse odor problems in a refrigerator.
How to Use Baking Soda in the Fridge
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Eliminate odors by storing an opened box of baking soda inside the refrigerator and freezer. You should notice a fresher smell within one to three days, but baking soda in the fridge needs to be replaced at least every three months.
The box of baking soda may need to be replaced sooner if it begins to absorb too many foul odors. Try dating the package to help you remember when to replace it. You can also choose to follow your nose. If your fridge starts to smell, it’s time to replace the box.
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Where to Put Baking Soda in the Fridge
- Refrigerator: Place a box on each fridge shelf if it is large or you tend to store many smelly foods. The best spot is in the back corner; don’t forget about it.
- Freezer: Place a box or shallow dish with baking soda on the lower level to absorb freezer odors. Baking soda keeps ice from taking on an odor or foul taste.
- Crisper bins and drawers: Try sprinkling baking soda on your crisper’s bottom to eliminate odors. Cover with a folded paper towel. Replace every three months, just as you do the boxes of baking soda.
Why Baking Soda Works
The scientific name for baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. It is a weak base that can act as an acid, depending on what it comes in contact with.
The smells in your fridge are made up of food particles that float around and eventually settle into your other meals. Putting a box of baking soda in your refrigerator gives those smelly particles something other than your leftovers to bond with.
The unique characteristics of sodium bicarbonate make it very attractive to both acidic and base particles, and once these particles bond with the baking soda, the odor is neutralized.
Baking Soda and Tough Odors
If your refrigerator is filled with tough odors that a box of baking soda won’t fix, try washing the inside of the appliance with a paste of baking soda and water. It can help get rid of tough odors. Use a one-to-one solution of baking soda and water.
For really tough odors, follow up your baking soda and water rinse by wiping the surfaces down with white vinegar.
Devotees of green cleaning know that vinegar is a great natural cleaning solution. As you wipe down the fridge, the vinegar’s slight chemical reaction with the baking soda will help disinfect the area and eliminate stubborn smells.
Baking Soda and Refrigerator Stains
Remove food and rust residue from your refrigerator with a baking soda paste. Mix your baking soda with a small amount of water to form a dough-like texture that you can rub anywhere.
Most refrigerator stains can be easily removed with baking soda, with the added benefit of odor removal. Use a toothbrush to spread the paste and scrub away the stain.