How to Use Baking Soda for Refrigerator Odor

Debra Morrison
How to Use Baking Soda for Refrigerator Odor

Keeping your refrigerator smelling fresh can be a challenge, especially with different foods stored together. Luckily, there’s a simple solution that requires just one common household item. Baking soda is incredibly effective at neutralizing refrigerator odors.

I always keep a box of baking soda in my fridge to absorb unwanted smells. It’s easy and convenient and works whether you’ve got leftovers, fresh produce, or any other items stored. Placing an open baking soda box inside can keep your fridge odor-free.

For best results, I replace the box every one to three months. The key to making it work is keeping the baking soda exposed so it can absorb any odors in the air. This small effort pays off, leaving your refrigerator smelling clean.

The Benefits of Baking Soda

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is widely known for its ability to absorb and neutralize odors. This makes it an essential tool for maintaining a fresh-smelling refrigerator.

The Benefits of Baking Soda
Image: Envato Elements

Baking Soda as a Deodorizer

Baking soda is effective as a deodorizer because of its alkaline properties. When placed in the fridge, it absorbs the acidic and basic molecules that cause unpleasant smells. This creates a more neutral environment, reducing the presence of foul odors.

It’s a chemical reaction where baking soda reacts with smelly compounds, transforming them into less odorous substances. This versatility makes baking soda a simple and affordable solution for fridge maintenance.

How Baking Soda Neutralizes Odors

Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes odors through a chemical reaction. When it comes into contact with acidic or basic odor molecules, it neutralizes them, reducing bad smells. This chemical process ensures that the odors are not just masked, but eliminated.

The powders “micro-crystals” offer a large surface area for absorbing odors, allowing it to work more efficiently. By placing an open box or a small dish of baking soda inside your refrigerator, you create an environment where unpleasant smells are absorbed and neutralized quickly and effectively.

Effective Usage of Baking Soda in Refrigerators

Proper use of baking soda in fridges involves strategic placement and regular maintenance to maximize its odor-neutralizing abilities.

Strategic Placement in Refrigerator

Placing baking soda correctly is key to ensuring it works effectively. I recommend putting an open box of baking soda on the middle shelf of the fridge. This position allows the baking soda to absorb odors from different areas of the refrigerator.

Consider placing additional open boxes or containers in crisper drawers and the freezer to target those specific spots prone to strong smells.

Avoid placing the box behind items where it might get covered, reducing its surface area and exposure to the circulating air.

Maintenance and Replacement Schedule

Maintaining the baking soda’s effectiveness requires regular replacement. Replace the baking soda every three months to ensure it continues to absorb odors effectively.

Label the box with the date you opened it to keep track of when it needs to be swapped out.

If you notice persistent odors, consider replacing the box more frequently or using multiple smaller containers spread throughout the fridge.

Regularly check the fridge and clean spills immediately to prevent stubborn smells that baking soda may struggle to handle alone.

Alternative Methods and Supplementary Solutions

Alternative Methods and Supplementary Solutions
Image: Envato Elements

Sometimes baking soda alone may not fully remove refrigerator odors. In these cases, other natural and effective options such as vinegar, activated charcoal, coffee grounds, and essential oils can be quite useful.

Using Vinegar for Odor Removal

White vinegar is excellent for removing stubborn fridge smells. I mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After emptying the fridge, I spray the walls and shelves thoroughly with this solution.

Then, I wipe everything down with a clean cloth. The vinegar smell usually disappears quickly and takes the bad odors with it.

Another method involves placing a bowl of vinegar inside the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to absorb unwanted smells. This is a simple and cost-effective way to maintain a fresh-smelling fridge.

Activated Charcoal and Coffee Grounds

Activated charcoal is another powerful odor absorber. I place a few pieces of activated charcoal in a shallow container and leave it in the fridge. It doesn’t need to touch the food, and it works silently to absorb bad odors.

Coffee grounds can also be used similarly. I spread them on a tray or shallow dish and place it in the refrigerator. The coffee absorbs the smells and leaves a pleasant aroma.

Both methods are natural and can be replaced every few months as needed.

Natural Fresheners and Essential Oils

Natural fresheners like lemon and essential oils add a pleasant scent to the fridge while eliminating odors. I like to soak cotton balls in essential oils like lavender or lemon, then place them in small, breathable sachets inside the refrigerator.

Sometimes, I slice a fresh lemon and leave it uncovered in the fridge. The lemon scent not only masks bad odors but also helps to neutralize them.

These methods, along with baking soda, provide a comprehensive approach to keeping your refrigerator smelling fresh and clean.

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