Have you ever opened your refrigerator only to be hit by an unpleasant odor? Sure, that might be the onions you forgot to cover the night before. But, it might be bacteria, mold, leaking containers or expired foods lurking somewhere in your refrigerator.

So, how do you get the funk out of the fridge? Simple.

• Empty the refrigerator, one or two shelves or drawers at a time.
• Discard any food or items that have passed their expiration date or gone bad.
• Clean and sanitize your ice maker.
• Wipe down all inside surfaces with a damp cloth.

PRO TIP: Try stuffing both the refrigerator and freezer with rolled newspapers, which absorb and neutralize odors at a minimal cost.

You’ll also need to wash the inside of your refrigerator with a formula that is safe and won’t scratch any surfaces. Try making your own inexpensive, general-purpose cleaning solution with items you most likely already have in your kitchen. Just mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda into 4 cups (1 quart) of warm water, and rub onto surfaces to clean. For refrigerator shelving, clean with a mixture of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 1 part water. And for sanitizing the ice maker (as noted above), use a solution of 1 teaspoon non-scented bleach in 4 cups of water.

That should help get rid of odors. But, you’ll be better off if you prevent odors from occurring in the first place.

Start by making sure foods to be stored are wrapped tightly or, better yet, in a covered container. Discard any spoiled or rotten food as soon as possible. And, wipe up spills immediately, which keeps odors at bay and helps prevent cross-contamination of food pathogens.

Some other prevention tips include:

• Clean your refrigerator at least every other month (5-6 times per year).
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer well-organized, including crisper drawers, to better manage freshness (and cut down on food waste).
• Replace your refrigerator air filter, per manufacturer guidelines.
• Clean your refrigerator’s gaskets (the seal on the interior of the door, usually made of rubber) to keep air from escaping.
  • Wash gaskets with a clean sponge or soft cloth soaked with mild detergent and warm water.
  • Rinse well.
  • Wipe the gasket dry with a clean, soft cloth.
• Routinely clean under the refrigerator to remove any dirt or trapped items.
• Keep a box of baking soda (or bowl of oats or coffee grounds) in your refrigerator to absorb odors

Keeping your refrigerator clean and odor-free helps prevent food pathogens from multiplying and makes cooking a more pleasant experience.

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