10.18.07
Removing Odor from Refrigerators
Refrigerator odors are typically caused by strong smelling or spoiled foods, and the transfer of those odors into the actual insulation of the fridge.
We’ve all grown up with the baking soda trick. Does it really work to free your refrigerator from food odors? Recently, I experimented with another closed environment: my car. There was a bad smell from spoiled food under the seat. I used one of the Arm & Hammer boxes that are specifically designed for odor removal (you pop the cardboard and a netting-like screen protects the baking soda from spilling out). I gave it a couple of days and while there was some reduction, the smell was still present.
Here’s how you handle the problem with X-O. If you have a food that is causing an unpleasant smell, remove it and then crumple a paper towel into a small cup, pour X-O over it, and set in the refrigerator door to remove odors.
To correct bigger problems like the transfer of odor into refrigerator insulation, perform a thorough cleaning first. Unplug the refrigerator, empty it, and wash walls, rubber seals, everything, down thoroughly with X-O. Place the paper cup containing the X-O in the door afterward. Limit use of the refrigerator for several hours.
