Odours could be a sign of spoilage or spillage that can attract bacteria, which could then affect your food. In today’s post, Electrolux experts share some eco-friendly ways on how to get rid of smell in fridge to prevent food contamination and keep smells at bay. Also, they will explain how built‑in antibacterial and deodorising systems help reduce bacterial growth and keep your fridge fresher.
Coffee bean is known as one of the most popular refrigerator odour absorbers. Put freshly ground coffee evenly on a plate and keep it in your refrigerator for 24 hours.
After 1 day stay in the fridge, it can be re-cycled to become fertiliser for your home plants. Simply mix it with soil and you are good to go.
Fill some used tea bags in an open container or a small bowl and put it inside your refrigerator. The tea leaves will absorb bad odours and leave your fridge with a fresh aroma. Make sure to replace the tea bags every 3 - 4 days for optimal odour control.
Baking soda has been known for years as an effective natural refrigerator deodoriser. Place baking soda inside an open container and let it unstink your fridge for 24 hours.
With a few drops of essential oils, you have something that not only help to get rid of bad odours but also make your fridge smell good at the same time.
The combination of these three makes a great quick fix for a smelly fridge as it removes unpleasant odours faster while adding a fresh scent to your refrigerator.
Follow this simple instruction on how to get rid of smell in fridge with lemon:
*Tip: Orange is a perfect alternative to lemon.
Not only being used as a natural refrigerator odour absorber, oats also come in handy for house cleaning in general as they can effectively absorb odours, oil, and liquid. All you have to do is put some uncooked oats in an uncovered container and leave it inside your fridge.
Moisten one or two cotton balls with a few drops of vanilla extract. Place the dampened cotton balls into a shallow dish and put the whole thing in the back of your refrigerator.
Add some vinegar to a small paper towel and place in a small bowl or open container. Leave it inside your fridge for at least 24 hours to obtain the desired effect. Make sure to replace the towel every few days or each time it dries out.
Potatoes work perfectly as an odour absorber like oatmeal. Peel a potato, cut it into small pieces and keep it in your fridge. Change every few days for maximum odour control effect.
The charcoal you could use to deodorise your refrigerator is the same type you use for BBQ parties. Simply put two cups of charcoal cubes in an uncovered container and place it in the back of the refrigerator. Make sure to let your kids know about these deodorisers otherwise they will very likely mistake these with chocolate treats.
It’s best to do a thorough fridge clean out and deep clean every three to four months. Discard expired condiments, wilted greens or leftovers beyond repair, and wipe containers with exposed food residue.
Clean all surfaces and easily slide out all adjustable shelves and bins of the 900 series with FlexStor. After giving them a good wash with soapy water, slide them back in and customise the space according to your needs.
Note: If your refrigerator has a built-in air filter or deodoriser module, Electrolux experts recommend replacing the filter roughly every six months (and sooner if you regularly store strong-smelling or highly perishable items). Regular replacement keeps the deodorising system working at peak performance.
For more detailed fridge cleaning and maintenance guides, read our expert tips here:
To maintain a clean refrigerator, keep older or easily perishable items at the front and within reach, while store those that can last longer elsewhere. This way, it will be easier to finish food before they expire. Plus, knowing exactly where your food is prevents you from keeping the door open for too long, which is a simple way to reduce electricity consumption.
Following an organised layout is easier when you have Electrolux multi-door refrigerators, designed to give you enough storage space for everything..
Generally, fruits and vegetables have to be stored in a humid environment to keep them fresh, crisp and bursting with flavour for longer. When it comes to storing vegetables in the fridge, remember that balance is key: too much humidity and they could rot, too little and they could wilt.
Greenzone crispers of the Electrolux fridges control humidity levels with a membrane that automatically releases excess moisture to reduce condensation and stop early spoilage.
As a general rule, setting your refrigerator to the right temperature - usually around 4°C or below - is vital to slow down bacteria growth. However, other items may require different temperatures to keep their freshness and flavour, like meat at -2°C or some fruits at 7°C. Just be careful not to make the main cabin too cold, otherwise your fridge might accidentally freeze your groceries.
To store them in the most ideal setting, use the MultiSwitch compartment of the 900 Series. It has five presets from -23°C to 7°C so it can easily adapt to any temperature you need.
When you’re shopping for a new fridge, consider models that pair practical storage with built-in hygiene features - they reduce the work you need to do and help keep food fresher for longer. Look for refrigerators that come with air purification, replaceable air filters or dedicated deodoriser modules, and sealed compartments for odour-prone items – according to the experts’ advice. These systems are especially useful if you often store strong-smelling foods like fish, durian or heavily spiced dishes.
Experts note that these features do more than mask smells: “Antibacterial features in refrigerators help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses by minimising the growth of harmful bacteria inside the appliance,” they say. Some technologies target bacteria directly: For example, Electrolux’s FresherAir Ioniser releases negative ions that break down proteins on bacteria surfaces, eliminating up to 99.9% of select common bacteria and creating a safer environment for food storage.
They also point out how these features work “a highly efficient deodorisation catalyst comprising composite nanomaterials effectively removes odours from your fridge while reducing bacteria,” making these technologies a practical complement to regular cleaning.
A fresh-smelling fridge means food tastes better and lasts longer. Most Electrolux refrigerator models showcase these hygiene and deodorising innovations, and make it even easier for you to keep it clean. .
Learn more about other refrigerators from Electrolux:
How to remove bad smell from fridge with 9 eco-friendly deodorisers
1. Put ground coffee evenly on a plate
Coffee bean is known as one of the most popular refrigerator odour absorbers. Put freshly ground coffee evenly on a plate and keep it in your refrigerator for 24 hours.
After 1 day stay in the fridge, it can be re-cycled to become fertiliser for your home plants. Simply mix it with soil and you are good to go.
2. Fill used tea bag in a small bowl
Fill some used tea bags in an open container or a small bowl and put it inside your refrigerator. The tea leaves will absorb bad odours and leave your fridge with a fresh aroma. Make sure to replace the tea bags every 3 - 4 days for optimal odour control.
3. Use baking soda with a few drops of essential oils
Baking soda has been known for years as an effective natural refrigerator deodoriser. Place baking soda inside an open container and let it unstink your fridge for 24 hours.
With a few drops of essential oils, you have something that not only help to get rid of bad odours but also make your fridge smell good at the same time.
4. Slice lemon into thick pieces, then add baking soda and salt
The combination of these three makes a great quick fix for a smelly fridge as it removes unpleasant odours faster while adding a fresh scent to your refrigerator.
Follow this simple instruction on how to get rid of smell in fridge with lemon:
- Slice a lemon into 2 – 3 cm thick pieces
- Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of baking soda and table salt onto the lemon slices
- Place the lemons onto a shallow, uncovered plate
- Keep the plate in your refrigerator for up to 6 days. Lemons usually take a couple hours before you notice the smell in your fridge is getting fresher.
*Tip: Orange is a perfect alternative to lemon.
5. Put uncooked oatmeal in an open container
Not only being used as a natural refrigerator odour absorber, oats also come in handy for house cleaning in general as they can effectively absorb odours, oil, and liquid. All you have to do is put some uncooked oats in an uncovered container and leave it inside your fridge.
6. Dampen cotton balls with vanilla extract
Moisten one or two cotton balls with a few drops of vanilla extract. Place the dampened cotton balls into a shallow dish and put the whole thing in the back of your refrigerator.
7. Dampen paper towel with vinegar
Add some vinegar to a small paper towel and place in a small bowl or open container. Leave it inside your fridge for at least 24 hours to obtain the desired effect. Make sure to replace the towel every few days or each time it dries out.
8. Always keep some small pieces of potatoes
Potatoes work perfectly as an odour absorber like oatmeal. Peel a potato, cut it into small pieces and keep it in your fridge. Change every few days for maximum odour control effect.
9. Use two cups of charcoal cubes in uncovered container
The charcoal you could use to deodorise your refrigerator is the same type you use for BBQ parties. Simply put two cups of charcoal cubes in an uncovered container and place it in the back of the refrigerator. Make sure to let your kids know about these deodorisers otherwise they will very likely mistake these with chocolate treats.
How to keep the fridge from smelling: 4 simple rules
1. Regularly do a refrigerator audit and cleaning
It’s best to do a thorough fridge clean out and deep clean every three to four months. Discard expired condiments, wilted greens or leftovers beyond repair, and wipe containers with exposed food residue.
Clean all surfaces and easily slide out all adjustable shelves and bins of the 900 series with FlexStor. After giving them a good wash with soapy water, slide them back in and customise the space according to your needs.
Note: If your refrigerator has a built-in air filter or deodoriser module, Electrolux experts recommend replacing the filter roughly every six months (and sooner if you regularly store strong-smelling or highly perishable items). Regular replacement keeps the deodorising system working at peak performance.
For more detailed fridge cleaning and maintenance guides, read our expert tips here:
- Complete guide on how to clean your fridge the right way
- Refrigerator maintenance tips every homeowner should know
2. Organise your food: Keep what’s older up front
To maintain a clean refrigerator, keep older or easily perishable items at the front and within reach, while store those that can last longer elsewhere. This way, it will be easier to finish food before they expire. Plus, knowing exactly where your food is prevents you from keeping the door open for too long, which is a simple way to reduce electricity consumption.
Following an organised layout is easier when you have Electrolux multi-door refrigerators, designed to give you enough storage space for everything..
3. Control humidity to slow fruit & veg spoilage
Generally, fruits and vegetables have to be stored in a humid environment to keep them fresh, crisp and bursting with flavour for longer. When it comes to storing vegetables in the fridge, remember that balance is key: too much humidity and they could rot, too little and they could wilt.
Greenzone crispers of the Electrolux fridges control humidity levels with a membrane that automatically releases excess moisture to reduce condensation and stop early spoilage.
4. Track temperatures to keep the food freshness
As a general rule, setting your refrigerator to the right temperature - usually around 4°C or below - is vital to slow down bacteria growth. However, other items may require different temperatures to keep their freshness and flavour, like meat at -2°C or some fruits at 7°C. Just be careful not to make the main cabin too cold, otherwise your fridge might accidentally freeze your groceries.
To store them in the most ideal setting, use the MultiSwitch compartment of the 900 Series. It has five presets from -23°C to 7°C so it can easily adapt to any temperature you need.
5. Choosing a Refrigerator with a Modern Deodorising System
When you’re shopping for a new fridge, consider models that pair practical storage with built-in hygiene features - they reduce the work you need to do and help keep food fresher for longer. Look for refrigerators that come with air purification, replaceable air filters or dedicated deodoriser modules, and sealed compartments for odour-prone items – according to the experts’ advice. These systems are especially useful if you often store strong-smelling foods like fish, durian or heavily spiced dishes.
Experts note that these features do more than mask smells: “Antibacterial features in refrigerators help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses by minimising the growth of harmful bacteria inside the appliance,” they say. Some technologies target bacteria directly: For example, Electrolux’s FresherAir Ioniser releases negative ions that break down proteins on bacteria surfaces, eliminating up to 99.9% of select common bacteria and creating a safer environment for food storage.
They also point out how these features work “a highly efficient deodorisation catalyst comprising composite nanomaterials effectively removes odours from your fridge while reducing bacteria,” making these technologies a practical complement to regular cleaning.
A fresh-smelling fridge means food tastes better and lasts longer. Most Electrolux refrigerator models showcase these hygiene and deodorising innovations, and make it even easier for you to keep it clean. .
Learn more about other refrigerators from Electrolux:
- AI AutoSense saves up to 10% energy*.
- GreenZone drawer retains up to 90% Vitamin C for after 7 days*.
- ExtraChill drawer ideal for deli meats and cheese.
- Retains up to 90% Vitamin C after 7 days*.
- EvenTemp reduces temperature fluctuations.
- Inverter Technology significantly saves energy.**
- AI AutoSense saves up to 10% energy*.
- GreenZone drawer retains up to 90% Vitamin C for after 7 days*.
- ExtraChill drawer ideal for deli meats and cheese.
- MultiChill custom storage at -2°C, 0°C, and 3°C.
- AICoolAssist helps save up to 10% energy*.
- GreenZone retains Vitamin C in blueberries for up to 7 days.*
- TasteSealFlex ideal storage with 5 temperatures.
- TasteLockAuto keeps vegetables fresh for 7 days*.
- TwinTech cooling help preserves taste and texture.
FAQs on removing bad smell from fridge
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How to remove durian smell from fridge?
Wipe all interior surfaces with lemon juice or vinegar. Their antibacterial properties neutralise the durian smell and leave a fresher scent. Alternatively, use Electrolux Frigo Spray for easy and effortless results.
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How to remove fishy smell from fridge?
Mix baking soda with warm water and scrub trays, shelves, and corners. For extra freshness, place an open container of vinegar or coffee grounds inside overnight.
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How to deodorise the freezer compartment?
Unplug the freezer and remove all food, storing it in a cooler with ice. Clean the compartment with a mix of warm water and baking soda. Add lemon or orange zest for a clean scent before turning it back on.
