The best odor absorber for refrigerators. How to make an odor absorber for the refrigerator with your own hands?

Sometimes even the cleanest housewives have problems with smell in the refrigerator. This complexity can be addressed in different ways. Followers of traditional methods use soda, cloves, or wipe the walls with vinegar. And progressive consumers choose an industrial odor absorber for refrigerators. But how to choose it and how effective it is is worth understanding.

Causes of odor

The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the refrigerator can have various reasons. One of these relates to the technical features of the design. When plastic parts are heated, they give off a specific odor. But this is due to the new unit, and gradually the problem should disappear.

If after a month the aroma remains, you need to contact the seller, because this may indicate a defect or a problem.

An unpleasant odor may appear due to a temporary power outage, and the owners of the unit may not be aware of it. At the same time, if meat products were stored in the refrigerator, a persistent cadaverous stench may remain. Only thorough cleaning of the inside of the refrigerator will help get rid of the problem.

Bad smell in the room? DIY coffee candles

In my opinion, the smell of coffee is one of the best smells: it calms, invigorates, perfectly removes bad odors, it makes your mouth water.

For 1-2 candles (depending on the size of your mold):

• 500 g chopped or grated wax or paraffin
• 1-2 tbsp. ground coffee
• 1 tsp whole coffee beans, plus a little extra for garnish (optional, they crumble and pop when heated, so maybe don't add them)
• Food thermometer
• Candle molds (small glass or tin jars, pots)
• Spray oil
• Hair dryer

Preparation

1. Prepare the molds: tie the wick to a pencil and place the pencil on the mold so that the wick remains hanging above the bottom of the container.
2. Make a water bath: Bring some water to a boil in a large saucepan, then reduce the heat to a simmer and place a heatproof bowl over the saucepan (the bottom should not touch the water in the saucepan). Place the wax in a bowl and stir until it melts. Use a thermometer to make sure the wax temperature does not rise above 90°C
3. Add ground coffee and coffee beans, stir well, remove mixture from heat.
4. Carefully pour in the wax, leaving 2 cm to the edge, and leave to cool and harden. Sometimes, after cooling, the candle sags in the middle, so add a little more hot wax to the dried surface of the candle. Use a hair dryer to remove bubbles and unevenness.
5. Sprinkle the surface with coffee beans. Cut off the wick and let the candle set for a day before lighting it.

The reason is the content

If the unit operates smoothly and all plastic parts have weathered, then the cause of the stench may be improper storage of food. Leaving them for too long leads to spoilage and waste of aroma. Moreover, even removing spoiled food does not solve the problem, because plastic is characterized by excellent absorption of odors.

Many people store medicines on the door shelves of their refrigeration unit. If the lids do not fit tightly, a rather specific aroma spreads throughout the refrigerator.

Special cases

Problems can be discovered after returning from vacation. Due to a power outage, food in the refrigerator quickly becomes sour. A particularly unpleasant smell comes from rotten meat, fish, and eggs. Remove the source of the odor and begin cleaning it.

Smells rotten

If it smells rotten, carry out a general cleaning of the refrigerator according to this scheme:

• Disconnect the plug.
• take out food, throw away spoiled food.
• defrost the refrigerator.
• Soak removable parts in warm soapy water.
• Wash the internal surfaces with a sponge and soap.
• Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
• treat the camera with lemon juice.
• Wash the shelves and containers, dry them well and put them back.
• leave open for several days.

To get rid of this smell faster, put any absorbent material inside. Ventilate the kitchen.

Dampness and mold

A strong odor appears when the air humidity is high.

This can happen when the refrigerator is turned off. Fungi and bacteria thrive behind tightly closed doors in a dark, warm, humid environment. Before a long trip, it should be defrosted and cleaned, and then leave the door open.

Mold loves to settle in the rubber folds of the sealant. Arm yourself with a toothbrush and hydrogen peroxide to remove it:

• Pour hydrogen peroxide onto the sponge.
• Wipe off the gum.
• Clean greenish stains in the folds with a toothbrush.

Use the same:

• vinegar solution;
• ammonia;
• baking soda;
• laundry soap.

Additionally, the walls need to be cleaned. Even if the walls are not affected by mold, mold spores may still be present.

Chlorine bleach, such as Whiteness Bleach, can kill mold. Pour bleach into warm water and wipe down the rubber seal. Leave the door open to release the chlorine. After drying, apply Vaseline or vegetable oil to the material. This will prevent the rubber from breaking.

Smells in the freezer

Defrost and rinse your freezer periodically. Bacteria from meat and fish products will remain in the freezer and cause an unpleasant odor.

After washing the walls with soap and water, use ammonia in the freezer:

• Dilute two tablespoons of ammonia in 300 ml of water.
• Soak a soft cloth or foam sponge in the solution.
• Wipe down interior surfaces.
• Allow to dry.

To make application easier, pour the liquid into the spray gun and spray the walls. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth.

Advice. If you suspect a breakdown, unplug the device and leave it for ten hours. After turning it back on, the problem may disappear.

Gel fresheners

The most popular odor absorber in this line is Topperr. It comes in a variety of scents and comes in a plastic container with gel contents. When used, there is no harm to the unit, and the composition of the absorber can get rid of such persistent odors as fish, garlic or cheese.

The freshener does not have any unpleasant effects on stored products and even helps them stay fresh longer. The gel refrigerator odor absorber can be installed in any convenient place. Thanks to the Velcro, you can not only put it on a shelf, but also hang it on the door.

Odor absorber for the refrigerator: special products

Today, stores offer a wide selection of unpleasant odor absorbers. Let's look at the most popular of them.

• Neutralizers with carbon adsorbent. These are products from brands such as Frau Schmidt, Filtero and Greenfield. Of the Russian-made analogues, the most popular is the odor absorber “Barrier” for the refrigerator. It is a plastic capsule filled with activated carbon. Such an absorber will last no more than 3 months, depending on the nature and intensity of the smell in the refrigerator, as well as the volume of the chamber.
• Helium absorbers. These include products of the FRESH PRO and Topperr brands. They are more expensive because they absorb unpleasant odors much faster than others.
• Air absorbers-ionizers. These include products such as AirComfort XJ 100, Cyclone CN-13 and CN-15. They are good because they not only cope with unpleasant odors, but also stop rotting processes, extending the shelf life of products.

Thanks to a wide range of similar products, modern housewives can easily choose a product that suits their financial capabilities and personal preferences.

Indicator egg

Recently, a very popular absorber is a device in the form of a chicken egg. Its peculiarity is that it changes color when placed in the refrigerator. At room temperature it is blue, but after being in the cold for some time it turns white.

If the indicator remains blue, then you need to adjust the temperature in the refrigerator. This means that the unit does not cool enough and food may spoil ahead of time.

In addition to the indicator function, the egg is filled with a carbon filter, which does an excellent job of eliminating odors. Therefore, its use is becoming increasingly popular. In order for the device to function at its best, it must be changed every month and a half.

Universal recommendations for selection

The choice of absorber must be taken seriously, since it, although not directly, will come into contact with food.

Carefully study the composition of the filler if it is a purchased product. The absorbent must not contain harmful or dangerous components. If some terms are not clear, it is better to ask what they mean. If you ignore this, you can harm your health.

Be sure to pay attention to the tightness of the packaging of industrial products. If the seal is broken, do not buy such a product, because its proximity to food can be harmful to health and even lead to poisoning.

Keep industrial absorbers away from food. Their contact with food is not allowed.

All unpleasant odor eliminators have an expiration date, so you should pay attention to it first. If the packaging of the product indicates the period before which it must be used, you should strictly adhere to this recommendation. After the expiration date, remove the freshener, otherwise it will harm the food and health.

Many stink blockers are effective and harmless. In most cases, these are small balls that need to be placed on shelves inside the refrigerator. Make sure they do not come into contact with food.

Modern air fresheners can simultaneously absorb odors from the refrigerator and emit a pleasant aroma themselves. But it is better not to use them, as they can harm food.

It is better not to use Velcro air fresheners, as they cannot always stick to damp inner walls.

Choose a product that will cause as little harm to people and products as possible.

Never use fresheners that are not intended for this purpose to eliminate stench in the refrigerator. It is strictly prohibited to use odor blockers in rooms or furniture. The composition of these drugs differs from those intended for the refrigerator and can lead to poisoning. Take care of your health and do not ignore the recommendations provided.

Ball version

A budget-friendly but easy-to-use product is a roll-on odor absorber for refrigerators. It is usually offered in a pack of three balls. To use, you need to remove one and place it on the shelf.

But many consumers advise using two balls when storing a variety of foods in abundance and placing them on different sides of the refrigerator. This option belongs to the low price category and uses siliconogen as the active ingredient, which is not able to cope with persistent and pungent odors.

Dispensary absorbers

The devices consist of a plastic base and replaceable carbon filters. Usually 1-2 additional cassettes are included with the absorber, but after using them you can purchase new ones without changing the base. The active effect lasts on average 4-6 months, and the charcoal filler does an excellent job of removing unwanted odors.

main sources

Before you begin to get rid of such a problem, it is worth eliminating the source of its occurrence.

The most common causes of stench are the following places:

• Kitchen. It is in the kitchen that there can be many sources of unpleasant aroma.” It can occur in the refrigerator, trash can, microwave. It can also be caused by food residue left on the surface of household appliances.
• Bathroom. Clogged drains can cause a bad smell in this room. With poor ventilation, dampness can occur, which also gives a disgusting smell.
• Shoes. If shoes are not dried, cleaned, and ventilated on time, they can spread a disgusting odor throughout the room.
• Cabinets. It is recommended to ventilate cabinets, otherwise an unpleasant odor will appear there. Upholstered furniture should also be looked after.
• Pets. Beloved pets can also cause an unpleasant odor in the apartment if they are poorly cared for and urine is not removed on time.
• Mold. If the humidity in the apartment is high, mold may appear, which causes unwanted odors.
• Smokers in the house. Tobacco smoke is unpleasant to all non-smokers, and sometimes smokers themselves cannot stand it; read how to remove it here.

Advice! When cleaning, you should not use detergents that smell strongly; such odors can also be irritating.

Absorbents allow you to get rid of the stench of sweat, tobacco, dog urine, shoes, perfume, cats, paint, moonshine, sewage, gasoline and diesel fuel. But they do not saturate the air with new “fragrances”, unlike aromatizers, but only refresh it.

Rationale for use

Although not all housewives have yet appreciated the advisability of having an odor absorber for the refrigerator at home, reviews indicate that this device often helps out. Those who have installed it say that unpleasant odors have decreased or completely disappeared. But in order to choose the best odor absorber for the refrigerator, it is important to take into account the features of food storage, the size of the unit and the principle of operation.

The odor eliminator makes it easier to maintain the refrigerator, preventing not only food spoilage, but also frequent defrosting of the unit and its cleaning.

How to choose a safe and effective absorber

All necessary information about the device must be indicated in its instructions; in order to choose a quality device, you need to pay attention when reading:

• Purpose of the device. Indoor appliances are not suitable for use near foodstuffs;
• Shelf life of the device;
• The composition of the shell and, most importantly, the composition of the filter. It is recommended that you find out the meaning of any unfamiliar names to ensure that the specified filler is safe;
• Size. The device must fit in the place where it will stand.

Please note that you should be responsible when choosing an odor neutralizer, especially when it comes to the refrigerator, where an important resource for humans is stored - food. A properly chosen absorber will serve for a long time without causing harm to the product or causing negative emotions among the owners.

Traditional ways to get rid of odors

To make an odor absorber for the refrigerator with your own hands, you need to decide on the main active ingredient. In the kitchen of any housewife there will probably be a couple of products suitable for this purpose.

If you need to get rid of the smell of plastic in a new refrigerator, you need to wipe all shelves and walls with a soda solution before adding food for the first time. But if the smell appears as the appliance is used, you should use an odor absorber for refrigerators.

The simplest method is to use baking soda poured into a shallow container. It tends to absorb odor molecules, but it must be changed at least 4-5 times a month.

Some people recommend using lemon, orange and other citrus peels. But this measure rather refers to the neutralization of odors, rather than their removal. Therefore, this method can be used as an additional measure.

Judging by the reviews, ground coffee is a powerful odor absorber. Therefore, you can pour it into a container and leave it for several days. However, it is not recommended to use coffee all the time because it leaves a strong aroma on all foods stored in the refrigerator.

Many industrial absorbers use activated carbon. Although the composition is slightly different, it is still possible to use tablets that have been previously ground to eliminate odors. The method is effective, but requires constant replacement with a new powder.

DIY air freshener for your home: 2 recipes

These fresheners do not have a sickening artificial smell, do not increase the burden on nature, like aerosols in metal cans, and you can create their scent to your liking. For each you will need a 500 ml spray bottle.

With rosemary, sage and lavender:

• 4 sprigs rosemary
• 2 sprigs sage
• 2 tsp dried lavender or 3 sprigs fresh
• 2 lemon slices
• 500 ml water
• 4 drops each of rosemary and lavender essential oils (optional, adds extra aroma to the spray)

With lemongrass, lime and ginger:

• 2 limes, chopped
• 2 fresh lemongrass stalks, slightly crushed
• A 10 cm long piece of fresh ginger crushed with a knife
• 500 ml water
• 4 drops each of lemongrass and ginger essential oils (optional, adds extra aroma to the spray)

Preparation

1. Place all ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then cover and let mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and leave to cool. Then pour into a spray bottle - there is no need to strain the mixture, because by remaining in the water, the ingredients will constantly saturate it (but you can strain it if you wish). If the branches are too long for the bottle, break them in half. If desired, squeeze in lemon juice or add whole lemon slices at the end of cooking.
3. Renew the herbs and lemon slices regularly to keep the scent fresh (this may change over time) and to prevent the ingredients from becoming moldy.

conclusions

An industrial odor absorber for refrigerators does the job. When choosing it, they are guided by cost and required functionality. Small balls placed around the entire perimeter of the refrigerator are most effective.

To avoid rapid spoilage of food, it is better to choose an ionizer, but its cost is somewhat high. Among the most effective and mid-price products are gel absorbers. Their composition completely eliminates the problem, and the complete absence of odor of the active substance does not affect the products.

In the absence of a ready-made absorber, it is quite possible to make do with folk remedies. Their effectiveness is slightly less, but it justifies the low cost and ease of preparation.

Store funds

Cleaning with pre-mixed detergent will help get rid of the odor. After cleaning, place commercial quality absorbents designed specifically for refrigerators on your shelves.

Detergents

Instead of wet cleaning, the refrigerator body should be cleaned with a special cleaning agent that removes unwanted odors:

• Topper;
• Electrolux;
• Luxus;
• Magic Power;
• Top House;
• Sano Refrigerator Cleaner;
• Bon;
• Sidolux Professional.

Spray the product onto the surface and wipe dry with a cloth. There is no need to rinse. Do not spray on the product.

Napkins

Special odor-absorbing wipes are available.

They are sold in rolls and are often available in a variety of colors. The fabric is made of non-woven material containing active carbon. It is used for three months and then replaced with a new sheet. Napkins are produced by Potter (China), Top House (Italy) and Topperr (Germany).

Absorbent

To get rid of this fragrant combination of products, buy a ready-made aroma absorber with absorbent. Absorbent used:

• silica gel;
• carbon filler;
• algae gel with lemon extract;
• salt crystals.

The absorbent is available in spheres and round containers with holes. Well-known manufacturers of absorbers for refrigerators:

• Topper;
• "Barrier";
• Fridge Balls;
• Helfer;
• OdorGone;
• Electrolux;
• Breesal;
• Zumman.

Place the capsule in the corner of the door and periodically replace it with a new product.

Ionizers

Ionizers are more complex and expensive devices. Using the ozone produced, the devices remove odors, disinfect walls, food and slow down the decomposition process. They operate on batteries and are placed in the refrigerator door.

Well-known manufacturers:

• "Super Plus";
• Tinydeal;
• Air Comfort;
• AirTec;
• Neotec.