Stinky fridge

[drcmk]

We were away from home for five weeks and our refrigerator was inadvertently turned off (and full of food) the whole time. We spent two days taking it apart, scrubbing and sterilizing. So the fridge is sparkling clean. It no longer smells so awful that it makes me gag, but the refrigerator still has a faint garbage-y smell when I put my face inside it. The freezer part no longer has a smell. I think this is because there is more plastic in the refrigerator shelves and the plastic absorbed the odor.

Does anyone have suggestions for eliminating the odor? I've tried vanilla extract, baking soda and stick-ups. The stick - ups just smell chemically, I've removed them. The baking soda might be helpful but I've had to change it often because the baking soda box starts to smell bad (I assume it's odor absorbing properties are exhausted when the baking soda starts to smell).

I haven't wanted to put food back in there so we've been eating out since Saturday and that is getting old.

Thank you.

 

[texasroni75]

Oats and coffee grounds also help absorb bad refrigerator odors. But....if it's been off for more than a few days, chances are the smell has penetrated the insulation of the refrigerator itself.

Per my resources: " An air compressor might be needed to blow air into this section of the unit. if the above methods do not satisfactorily take care of odor problems, it may be that drippings from meat or fish leaked into the insulation. This problem would require service by a refrigerator technician, who may have to remove the liner and replace the insulation."

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think I'd replace it. I can tolerate a lot of things but foul odors gag me.

 

[North of Mouse]

Try wiping it out with a solution of vinegar and water, also alternate with baking soda and water - might take more than one time - also leave the doors open.

This will usually work, if not, more drastic measures might be needed (like buying a new one maybe
Service calls for the other remedies posted above are usually more expensive than the fridge may be worth. Depends on the age of the one you have if you'd rather put more $$'s into it! Good luck!

 

[HM]

You can try putting a charcoal odor absorber in it. They are often used when people's house have a fire to get the smoke smell out. You should be able to find something on amazon or at your local hardware store.