It can be overwhelming to open your refrigerator and be hit with strong, smelly odors and grime everywhere. This can impact your appetite and affect the use of your fridge. Some simple tricks and tips can help you maintain a cleaner refrigerator and extend the life expectancy of this appliance.

Remove Old Food Items

Go through your refrigerator once a week. Throw away any food items that are expired, no longer fresh or don’t smell right. Leftovers shouldn’t be stored for more than a day or two to prevent the formation of bacteria. This is a quick process that can reduce smells and help keep your fridge clean.

Wipe Down Surfaces

Before you go to the store to purchase items to restock your fridge, wipe down all shelves and compartments in your appliance. It’s common for food containers to leak onto shelving, which leads to mold growth and bad smells. Use a mixture of white vinegar and water to wipe surfaces. This removes grime but doesn’t leave behind a smelly residue that can get into your food. Make sure everything is dry to prevent the growth of mold or mildew.

Invest in Storage Containers

Rather than placing messy food containers directly onto your refrigerator shelving, invest in storage containers, trays and organizers. There are items that hold beverage cans, fruit and eggs, reducing messes and keeping everything in their appropriate areas. This can also prevent cross-contamination between raw meat and fresh produce. Airtight containers can prevent smells from circulating through your refrigerator.

Consider Odor Absorption Techniques

There are several ways you can absorb odors in your refrigerator. Placing an open container of baking soda there eliminates stinky smells. Make sure you replace the baking soda every 30 days. Activated charcoal is another way to naturally prevent odors.

Maintain Your Appliance Integrity

Pay attention to the quality of the seals around your fridge doors. This helps keep cool air inside and prevents smells from escaping. You can easily replace these seals if they start to break down or reach out to a professional for assistance.

Maintaining Proper Appliance Temperature

The inside of your refrigerator should remain at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents food from spoiling, which can lead to bad smells and messes. Check interior fridge temperatures using a thermometer to ensure your appliance is working correctly to read and maintain the temperature.

It’s simple to keep your fridge clean and prevent foul odors when you maintain a routine of cleaning and maintaining this appliance. You can schedule assistance with refrigerator maintenance by reaching out to our team at Signature Appliance in Chattanooga, TN.