How to get rid of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator: choosing an absorber

An odor absorber for a refrigerator is a device that has an absorbent hidden inside. A device of various shapes and sizes helps eliminate the aroma emanating from products. You can buy an absorber at any hardware store, and thrifty housewives know how to make products to purify the air in the refrigerator using household items at hand.

Causes of unpleasant odors inside the refrigerator

An unpleasant odor can occur for several reasons:

• long power outage. Because of this, air exchange in the refrigerator chamber stops and a musty smell appears;
• food spoilage. The most insidious in terms of odors is the chicken egg. It is also possible that the integrity of sealed packaging, for example, sauerkraut or other product with a strong odor, may be compromised;

  
  Unpleasant odors in the refrigerator may be caused by spoiled or strong-smelling foods.

• The refrigerator overheats, causing plastic parts to heat up and an unpleasant odor to appear. But it goes away on its own. Most often, new refrigerators are susceptible to this. If the smell does not disappear over time, this may indicate a manufacturing defect.

Causes

The first step is to check the main areas where the unpleasant smell most often “settles”:

• The freshness zone or a special compartment where a neutral zero temperature is maintained is intended for storing fresh meat and fish.
• Shelves and side over-door containers.
• Rarely - freezer compartment.
• And the most difficult case is insulating materials. For example, juice from meat was spilled inside the wall, and the process of rotting of the liquid began. In this case, you won’t be able to get away with just cleaning, and you will have to call a specialist who will completely disassemble the structure and replace the thermal insulation in it.

Before you start creating an odor absorber for your refrigerator with your own hands, or buying a device in a store, let's look at the most common causes of an unpleasant stench.

Spoiled products

We will include all possible options in this category.

1. Firstly, the shelf life of the products or the sealing of the packaging may have been violated.
2. Secondly, owners often leave the device turned on and go on vacation or business trips. During their absence, a power surge can easily occur, after which the temperature regime will be disrupted. The same meat will begin to flow heavily, penetrating the joints and thermal insulation.

And if in the case of stitched food you can get away with “small sacrifices” - simply throw the product in the trash and wash the walls and shelves with detergent, then in this situation you will have to take serious measures.

Package

The root of the problem may also lie in dirty or leaky packaging. In supermarkets, many goods are handled carelessly, so if you buy, for example, a jar of jam, you can “bring” home the stench from marinade or milk spilled on it in the store’s back room.

Spilled liquids

You also need to handle liquid foods with care: soups, gravies and drinks. During transportation, small drops spill onto the refrigerator shelf, and their aroma spreads everywhere. An excellent preventive measure would be to regularly wash all shelves, walls and compartments.

Long downtime

Most often this happens with country refrigerators or with household members who are constantly on the move. A musty stench will indicate that the equipment inside is simply moldy. The fungus is difficult to remove; washing alone will not be enough to eliminate it; how to quickly get rid of this problem, read this article.

Ready-made refrigerator odor control products

Ready-made products have some advantages over homemade ones, for example, higher efficiency and longer service life.

Odor absorbers for refrigerator

The principle of operation of absorbers is based on the absorption of molecules, which carry the odor, by a special substance (adsorbent). In this case, the adsorbent itself is placed in a plastic case. These products differ from each other in the type of absorbent substance. They can be:

• gel with extracts of lemon and algae (there are products with silver ions that have antibacterial properties);

  
  Gel absorbers are made from lemon and algae extract

• dispenser - have removable filters with activated carbon;

  
  Dispenser odor absorbers are reusable

• silica gel - are plastic balls with silica gel sachets;

  
  The service life of silica gel absorbers is up to 9 months, which is much longer than other types

Some absorbents may have their own scent, most commonly citrusy. These types are called flavorings.

Ionizers

Ionizers are special devices for absorbing odors and pathogenic microorganisms. Thanks to this effect, the shelf life of products can increase. They cost more than conventional odor absorbers, but last much longer.

Ionizers not only eliminate unpleasant odors, but also disinfect surfaces in the refrigerator

Ionizers operate on batteries. Allows you to select different modes. The differences between the modes lie in the frequency of “emission” of ions into the refrigerator chamber. At the same time, a certain amount of active oxygen is produced. Thanks to this, all bacteria, many chemicals and odors are neutralized.

Video: experiment with an ionizer

How to choose the right one

Household chemical stores offer devices designed to eliminate unpleasant odors inside the refrigerator. They have different forms and compositions, so buyers are often confused, not knowing which absorber is best to choose. When purchasing a neutralizer, experts advise following the following rules:

1. The absorbent filler must have a safe composition. It should not contain substances hazardous to health.
2. You should not buy devices for refrigerators intended for installation indoors. Their fillers contain synthetic components that should not be near food.
3. The absorber should easily fit on a shelf and not take up much space.
4. Neutralizers have an expiration date. It should always be checked before purchasing.

Absorbers are different. To understand which one is better suited, you need to familiarize yourself with their types:

1. The gel neutralizer has two important advantages: it quickly absorbs unpleasant odors and protects food from spoilage. Sold in the form of a container that can be placed on any shelf. If the refrigerator is small, then you should look for a device with adhesive tape. It can be attached to the wall of the chamber, saving space on the shelf. The disadvantage of gel absorbers is their short lifespan, which means they will have to be changed frequently.
2. The plastic egg is a small absorber that is convenient to install in the cell of the egg tray. Its advantage is carbon filler. It eliminates all unpleasant odors inside the chamber and does not pose a danger to the products. A special feature of devices of this type is an indicator, which is used to monitor the maintenance of the temperature inside the refrigerating chamber. If the temperature in it is normal, it turns white. When it increases, the indicator turns blue, signaling that the products may spoil ahead of time.
3. The balls are filled with silica gel. It can deal with a slight odor, but if spoiled food has been in the refrigerator for a long time, then it is unlikely to help. The balls are sold in a set of 3 pieces, they can be used alternately or placed simultaneously, laid out on different shelves. The advantage of such models is their low cost.
4. The dispensary absorber is a device made of a plastic case, inside of which there are replaceable carbon filters. It is safe, absorbs even strong odors, and lasts up to 6 months.

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Review of the most popular brands of refrigerator odor removers

In specialized stores you can purchase the following ready-made absorbers (on Yandex.Market these brands received a rating of 5/5):

1. "Selena" is a granular absorber with activated carbon as an adsorbent. To activate, you need to remove the cover. It is recommended to use one container on each refrigerator shelf. Cost - 16 rubles.

   
   Odor absorber "Selena" is cheap but effective

2. General Fresh - activated carbon container. The declared period of operation is up to three months. One container is enough for the entire refrigerator compartment. Cost - 45 rubles.

   
   General Fresh absorber has activated carbon as a filler

3. Snowter. This brand produces gel odor absorbers with their own scent (usually citrus). Cost - from 76 rubles.

   
   Snowter absorber has a citrus scent

4. Greenfield. The company produces absorbers in the form of eggs (2 pieces in a set, which are recommended to be used simultaneously). Activated carbon in the form of granules acts as an adsorbent. The cost is about 86 rubles.

   
   Greenfield absorber comes in egg form

5. Antella. It is a box with an adsorbent substance that has its own aroma. Dimensions - 12.5 * 6.5 * 3.7 cm. To aromatize the air in the refrigerator, only natural ingredients are used, so the smell and taste of the products are not affected. The cost is about 100 rubles.

   
   To activate the Antella absorber, you must open the package

6. ZENET. The company specializes in the production of ionizers, including those for the refrigeration chamber. The devices are designed for a household refrigerator with a capacity of up to 250 liters. Operates on three batteries. There is no control display, but it is possible to select a mode by twisting special knobs. The cost is about 2000 rubles.

Conclusion

The review included goods of domestic and foreign production. A popular brand among other representatives is “Topperr”; the manufacturer offers a wide range of products. Chinese and Russian manufacturers practically made up the entire rating list. Inexpensive models range in price from 25 to 150 rubles, the average price category: from 150 inclusive to 250 rubles, the rest are considered expensive devices.

Table - “Refrigerator flavor - the best models of 2022”

Note! Which absorber is best to buy is a choice for the buyer, which depends on a number of factors and personal priorities.

Homemade odor absorber

Natural remedies for eliminating unpleasant odors are available, cheaper than ready-made analogues, and safe. But there is one significant drawback - short-term action.

Such absorbers are:

• Activated carbon. The product has no odor of its own. Does not require special training. Several tablets whole (do not crush) should be placed in an open container, which should be placed anywhere in the refrigerator;

  
  There is no need to crush activated carbon

• baking soda. It also has disinfectant properties. To eliminate the unpleasant odor in the refrigerator, you need to pour a few pinches of powder on a saucer. The effect will be noticeable within 2 hours. Suitable for use in chambers with a normal level of humidity, otherwise the crust that covers the soda will prevent the product from performing its task;

  
  Baking soda is only suitable for refrigerators with normal humidity

• ammonia. This method is considered the most radical. Before use, be sure to open the window in the kitchen. All pre-cleaned surfaces should be wiped with ammonia. After this, leave the refrigerator open overnight or for a day;

  
  Ammonia can only be used in a well-ventilated area

• vinegar solution. This product is used to wipe surfaces when cleaning; rinsing with water is not required. For 1 liter of water you need to add 1 tbsp. l. vinegar.

  
  No need to rinse vinegar off refrigerator shelves

It is the vinegar solution that I use to eliminate and prevent unpleasant odors. I add vinegar to the water by eye, then taste the liquid, it should be slightly sour. And with this water I wipe all the walls of the refrigerator after defrosting (I do this once every 2-3 months). After this, I leave the refrigerator open so that the surfaces dry and the smell of vinegar dissipates. There have never been any problems with unpleasant odors, even if some product has spoiled.

Also, absorbent food products can be used as absorbers, for example, brown bread, apple or coffee beans (only beans can be used, since the ground product emits a strong aroma).

It is not recommended to use flavors as natural absorbents, that is, products with a strong independent odor. This applies to any dried or fresh herbs, ground coffee, citrus fruits. This is due to the fact that products are able to absorb these foreign odors, even if they are in sealed packaging.

Video: how to make an absorber from activated carbon with your own hands

Eliminating odor from a new unit

To get rid of the plastic “smell” characteristic of new household appliances, it is enough to carry out a set of simple measures.

First of all, you need to thoroughly rinse the product with warm water, adding soda or detergent. This helps eliminate odors and allows you to disinfect work surfaces.

A new refrigerator requires special attention. Before connecting to the network, it must be thoroughly washed inside and out, and then dried well.

It is recommended to leave the prepared refrigerator with the door ajar for 1-2 days for complete ventilation, and only then turn on the appliance to the power supply. For additional disinfection, the camera can be treated with alcohol or vodka.

Step-by-step instructions for using odor absorbers

The effectiveness of odor absorbers of various types directly depends on the correct adherence to the instructions for their use.

Preparing the refrigerator

Preparatory work does not depend on the source of the unpleasant odor:

1. First you need to eliminate the obvious cause, such as spoiled food or new trays.
2. After this, intensively clean all internal surfaces of the refrigerator. Don’t forget to look into distant corners, for example, the back walls of the chamber or the tops of the shelves. Baking soda is best for cleaning as it removes dirt and absorbs odors at the same time.

   
   You need to wipe everything, even the most distant surfaces of the refrigerator.

3. Rinse cleaned surfaces with water.
4. Leave the refrigerator turned off until the chamber is completely dry, otherwise there is a risk that the unpleasant smell will return.

If the actions taken did not lead to the desired result, then perhaps the reason is a violation of the integrity of the coating of the walls of the internal chamber of the refrigerator. In this case, no absorbers will help, you need to purchase a new device.

Video: how to clean a refrigerator

Where should absorbers be placed?

It is better to place absorbers on shelves. If the latter are solid glass, then it is recommended to put one product on each. If the shelves are lattice, then one absorber is enough for the entire refrigerator. In addition, some models come with special hooks that allow you to hang them from the bars of the grill.

Some absorbers can be attached to the walls of the refrigerator

Frequency of change of absorbers

The effectiveness of any absorber (except ionizers) decreases every day, because the adsorbent substance cannot absorb foreign odor molecules indefinitely. This means that it needs to be changed periodically:

• store-bought products - once every 1-3 months (can be read on the packaging);
• improvised - preferably daily (does not apply to products used to wipe the walls of the refrigerator).

Xiaomi MiJia Refrigerator Natural Deodorant

The stylish and convenient absorber from Xiaomi is easily installed in the refrigerator. It can be placed on a shelf or mounted on a door. It is designed for a refrigerator volume of 80 to 100 liters and one device will last you for 1 year of use. The absorber contains a special filter with mint and citrus essential oils. When such oils evaporate, they neutralize unpleasant odors, destroying them. Oils are known for their antibacterial properties, which helps protect the inside of the refrigerator from the growth of bacteria.

Pros:

1. Stylish design;
2. Enough for 1 year;
3. Works by diffusing essential oils;
4. There is an on-off mode;
5. Safe.

If the reason is in the content

The very first step in cleaning a refrigerator is to defrost it and thoroughly clean it with chemicals. Any cleaning product will do, the main thing is to pay attention to the composition. An organic analogue of purchased household chemicals is ordinary baking soda. You can dilute it in a glass of water and wipe the internal surfaces with this liquid. Or in the case of old metal shelves and parts, apply half a teaspoon of baking soda to a slightly damp sponge and go over the areas of the greatest accumulation of dried liquid and grease.

IMPORTANT! When buying new equipment, pay attention to its type and related characteristics. For example, refrigerators operating using NO FROST technology require regular thorough cleaning at least twice a year.

Other available emergency removers of unpleasant odors will also work. For example, lemon juice or acid diluted in plenty of water. Using a spray bottle, apply the liquid to the walls of the equipment, wait 2-3 hours and wash off with a damp cloth.

Prevention of odors

To prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors from your refrigerator, you need to regularly check its contents. It is necessary to throw away products that have expired, various pieces that may have fallen into the corners. It is also worth periodically wiping the bottoms of jars with headings stored in the refrigerator.

To ensure that you do not have to buy an odor absorber or make one yourself, as well as take out the entire contents of the refrigerator to look for spoiled food, it is better to carefully handle food and the dishes in which it is stored.