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Have a nasty, smelly fridge? Not sure where the smell is coming from or how to get rid of it?
Placing sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda, in the refrigerator can help absorb smells and get rid of the foul odor that spoiled food and gunk can bring.
Even the best refrigerator cannot smell good forever if you don't add an effective odor neutralizer like baking soda every once in a while.
In this guide, we'll discuss the benefits of putting baking soda in the fridge, how to do it, and other alternatives if you don't have any baking soda.
Using Baking Soda In The Fridge To Eliminate Odors
In this section, we'll be discussing how keeping baking soda in the fridge can help reduce fridge funk, as well as the best ways to implement it.
How To Use Baking Soda Boxes For Fridge Smells
Source: YouTube
There is no complicated process for you to neutralize odors. All you need to do is get a box of baking soda and place it in an area inside your fridge where the odor is coming from.
Placing just one box of baking soda in the fridge will help a lot with reducing the odor, but you should also leave different amounts in specific problem areas to make it more effective.
How Much Baking Soda Should I Put In The Fridge?
Different situations and parts of the refrigerator require you to put various amounts of baking soda to absorb odors better.
Baking Soda in Crisper Drawers
If you're planning to put baking soda in your fridge, specifically inside crisper bins, you should sprinkle the surface area with some baking soda and cover it with a folded paper towel.
You should replace the baking soda in the exposed area of your refrigerator every three months or less, depending on how often the odd smells return.
Baking Soda vs. Fridge Stains
Sodium bicarbonate has the added benefit of being good at removing stains from any surface area. All you need to do is mix the baking soda with water to form a paste.
Then, you'll need to use an old toothbrush to spread the paste and remove the stain. You can use this on fish tanks, airtight containers, a bowl, and of course, the refrigerator.
Baking Soda vs. Tough Fridge Odors
If the smelly molecules and weird odors persist, you should flush the whole fridge with a baking soda solution. To make this, use a 1:1 ratio of baking soda and water.
If the smelly particles are really strong, use at least a cup of baking soda when making the solution.
Can I Put Baking Soda In The Freezer?
Source: Arm and Hammer
Yes, you can put it in the freezer because it maintains the same ability to neutralize bad smells in the freezer as when used in the fridge.
There are many baking soda products specifically made for use in the freezer, which is an excellent pick-up if you own a mini freezer at home.
Why Baking Soda Works
Most of the bad scents or weird odors you find in your fridge arise when bacteria feed on old or expired food particles or decomposing foods.
This releases butyric acid, which is where the acidic smell and weird odors come from. While you cannot prevent food from eventually going rancid, there is a way to keep the odors out completely.
Source: The Kitchn
Baking soda works by placing an open box, open bowls, or an open container of it inside the fridge. This interacts with the smells created by old food particles.
Leaving this in the fridge for a few hours turns the acidic and strong alkaline molecules into neutral-smelling sodium salts.
Sodium bicarbonate is attracted to both acidic and weak base particles. This, along with its wide availability, makes it the ideal scent absorber to keep in your refrigerator.
What Are Other Uses Of Baking Soda In The Kitchen?
Baking soda is a great way to keep your freezer and fridge clean and not just smell good. You can use a solution with a 1:1 baking soda-to-water ratio to scrub the inside clean.
The fact that it leaves a neutral smell means it won't affect the taste of any foods you cook and store inside your fridge once you've cleaned it.
Source: Live Science
This is usually combined with white vinegar when stains are incredibly persistent, creating the best multipurpose cleaning solution.
You can easily keep this at room temperature, so storing it anywhere at home isn't a hassle.
Odor-Eliminating Alternatives
Here are some natural products that are great alternatives to baking soda if you don't have any on hand or prefer to use something different for your fridge.
- Coffee grounds - leave a mild coffee scent
- Vinegar - can only use white vinegar, has a pungent smell of its own
- Activated charcoal - used in pet shops and litter boxes to absorb animal scents, harder to find
Coffee grounds, vinegar, and activated charcoal have a few caveats and unique features that might make them more suited or unsuitable for your needs.
They could be better or worse, but if you use them, you can store them next to a bowl of food in the fridge or an open container on the top shelf, depending on what you prefer.
Now that you know more about how placing a box of baking soda in the fridge can help keep your food in the fridge smelling fresh, you might have some more questions. We’ve answered the most commonly asked ones below. First, open up a box of baking soda and fill a container with water. Put equal amounts of both and mix. The objective is to create a solution to use in the fridge. When you’ve mixed these together, get a toothbrush (or any bigger brush for larger surface area portions) and spread the solution by brushing it around. Once you’re finished brushing it and spreading the solution, flush it out using water. Wipe down and let the inside dry before putting any stored foods back inside. Warning: If your fridge has a refrigerator water dispenser, make sure to only clean that with a damp towel. You might damage it with baking soda. Hydrogen peroxide is a potent chemical agent used to clean more stubborn stains. It’s excellent for cleaning heavily stained baking sheets or dirty, rusted cast iron kitchenware. However, it may not be the best option to use inside your fridge, yielding its own hazards when mixed with your food. Stick to baking soda for cleaning your fridge.Baking Soda In The Refrigerator FAQs
How Do I Clean the Fridge with Baking Soda and Vinegar?
Is Hydrogen Peroxide a Good Alternative for Cleaning?
Final Verdict: Can A Box Of Baking Soda Eliminate Bad Smells?
Yes, a box of sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, will eliminate odors when put inside a fridge. Just make sure you place the right amounts depending on the location.
Keeping your full-size or counter-depth refrigerator clean and smelling good is one of the best ways to try out many recipes and store them safely for later consumption.
