Sarah Aguirre is a seasoned housekeeping professional with more than two decades of experience in both residential and commercial cleaning. Throughout her career, she has contributed articles on housekeeping tips and home organization to various national publications.
At some time, you may have come across an unpleasant smell emanating from your refrigerator. It’s important to identify and remove the source of this unpleasant odor. To help eliminate any remaining scents, you can use an easy home solution: a box of baking soda. While refrigerator baking soda is essentially the same as the standard variety, it is specifically packaged in a breathable box designed to combat odors effectively.
Anyone who has dealt with aged kimchi is aware that certain odors linger long after the dish has been consumed. One of the most frustrating aspects of a pungent refrigerator is that these smells can infiltrate other items, compromising their taste. Despite frequent cleaning, odors can also become absorbed by the plastic parts of the fridge. Discover how baking soda can effectively tackle odor issues in your refrigerator.
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Ways to Utilize Baking Soda in Your Refrigerator
To remove unpleasant smells, place an open box of baking soda in both the refrigerator and freezer. You should start to detect a cleaner scent in one to three days. However, remember to replace the baking soda in the fridge every three months to maintain its effectiveness.
If the baking soda box starts to take on unpleasant smells, it might need to be swapped out sooner than expected. Consider marking the date on the package to keep track of when it should be replaced. Alternatively, trust your sense of smellif your refrigerator begins to emit odors, it’s a sign that the box should be replaced.
Where to Place Baking Soda in the Refrigerator
- Refrigerator: If your fridge is spacious or you often keep a variety of pungent foods, consider placing a container on each shelf. The ideal location is in the back corner, so make sure to keep it in mind.
- Freezer: To eliminate odors in your freezer, position a container or a shallow dish filled with baking soda on the bottom shelf. This will help absorb any unpleasant smells, preventing ice from developing any unwanted flavors or odors.
- To keep your crisper bins and drawers fresh, consider adding some baking soda to the bottom to absorb any unpleasant smells. Simply place a folded paper towel over it. Make sure to change it out every three months, similar to how you would with baking soda boxes.
The Reasons Behind the Effectiveness of Baking Soda
Baking soda is scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate. It functions as a mild base and can also exhibit acidic properties based on its interactions with other substances.
The odors in your refrigerator originate from food particles that circulate and eventually mix with your other items. By placing a box of baking soda inside, you provide these unpleasant particles with an alternative to your food to attach to. The distinctive properties of sodium bicarbonate allow it to effectively interact with both acidic and basic particles, and when these particles combine with the baking soda, the odors are effectively neutralized.
Tip
Baking soda is a common ingredient in various recipes, but it’s important to avoid using any that has been employed to eliminate odors. This is because the neutralization process causes the baking soda to absorb food particles, altering its flavor.
Baking Soda and Stubborn Smells
If your fridge is plagued by stubborn smells that baking soda alone can’t eliminate, consider cleaning the interior with a mixture of baking soda and water. This paste can effectively tackle persistent odors. Mix equal parts of baking soda and water for the solution.
To tackle particularly strong odors, after rinsing with a mixture of baking soda and water, use white vinegar to wipe down the surfaces. Enthusiasts of eco-friendly cleaning recognize vinegar as an excellent natural cleaning agent. While cleaning the refrigerator, the mild chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will aid in disinfecting the surfaces and removing persistent odors.
Baking Soda and Marks in the Fridge
Eliminate food and rust stains from your refrigerator using a baking soda paste. Combine baking soda with a little water to create a thick paste that can be applied to any surface. Baking soda is effective for tackling most refrigerator stains and also helps to neutralize odors. Utilize a toothbrush to apply the paste and scrub the stains away.
