What is the best way to clean a smelly freezer?

Author: Cornelius Gutmann  |  Last update: Monday, August 18, 2025

Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours. Check for odors.

How to get rid of bad smell in freezer?

Baking Soda: Place an open box or bowl of baking soda inside the freezer and close the lid. Baking soda is known for its odor-absorbing properties and can help eliminate unwanted smells. Leave it inside for a few days, then remove and discard it.

How long does it take baking soda to absorb odors for the freezer?

Depending on what's causing the smell, baking soda may take up to three days to remove odors.

What is the best way to deep clean a freezer?

Put all the food in a good cooler. Scrape away any frost or ice. Add a few drops of dish detergent to 250 ml of rubbing alcohol, and mix well. Wipe the inside surfaces with the rubbing alcohol mixture on a sponge or rag. Wipe again with dry towels. Put the food back in.

Does vinegar clean the freezer?

Make a solution of hot water and vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. A solution of water and soap can also work, but vinegar is food safe and has no soapy film. Spray the interior walls, floor and gaskets. Wipe with a sponge or microfiber cloth.

Stinky Fridge or Freezer? How to REMOVE the SMELL for GOOD!! (Cleaning Hacks) | Andrea Jean Cleaning

Can you use Dawn to clean a freezer?

Bucket: A cleaning staple, a bucket is the perfect vessel for holding hot, soapy water. Dish soap: A few drops of Dawn Powerwash will leave your freezer sanitized and sparkling.

How to clean a freezer with rotten meat?

Baking soda. Leave an open box of baking soda in the freezer, and it should absorb bad odors. Otherwise, I'd suggest unplugging it, and leaving it open to air out with a bowl of vinegar and box of baking soda in it to help.

How do you clean the inside of a refrigerator freezer?

Be sure not to reach for harsh chemical cleaners and instead, opt for a natural solution made with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This is an extremely effective cleaning solution - the vinegar will remove any odours, while the bicarbonate of soda will effectively remove any stains or any build up of food.

Can you lay a deep freezer on its side to clean it?

If it was on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running. If laying on its side just briefly to service, clean or adjust, just a few minutes of stand time will be enough."

How do you clean deep freezer coils?

If your freezer is positioned against a wall, pull it out so you can access the back of it. Remove the cover from the condenser coils. If the coils are covered in dust and aren't wet, use a vacuum cleaner to get the dust off them. If the coils are wet, use a dry cloth to give them a good clean.

What is the most powerful odor eliminator DIY?

What Is the Best Homemade Odor Eliminator: 7 DIY Solutions You Can Make Now
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Spray. This is a powerful spray that helps you tackle tough odors like pet urine and vomit. ...
  • DIY Gel Air Fresheners. ...
  • Deodorizer Disks. ...
  • Essential Oil Wax Melts. ...
  • Essential Oil Spray. ...
  • Coffee Grounds. ...
  • Vinegar Solution.

Why does my fridge smell bad but no rotten food?

Refrigerator smells come from either bacteria or mold, often from food spoilage or moisture buildup. The interior of the refrigerator is primarily made of plastic, and plastic absorbs odours. If the refrigerator is not regularly cleaned, it is most likely the reason why it smells.

Is vinegar or baking soda better for odor?

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, or sodium hydrogen carbonate, which is a base. Contrasting with vinegar, baking soda absorbs acidic smells. Such as spoiled food, which makes them excellent choices for refrigerators. It will absorb smells and can even be used as a breath freshener.

How long does it take for baking soda to remove odor?

This ensures that the baking soda can absorb all the odors effectively. Let the shoes sit with the baking soda inside for at least 24 hours. This will give the baking soda ample time to absorb the odors and neutralize any bacteria. After 24 hours, shake out the baking soda into the trash or sink.

What is the best refrigerator deodorizer?

Once you've gotten rid of those stinky fridge smells, make it smell better with vanilla extract or coffee grounds.
  • Best Overall. Homike Refrigerator Deodorizer. ...
  • Best Value. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Fridge-n-Freezer Odor Absorber. ...
  • Best Novelty. Chill Bill Refrigerator Deodorizer. ...
  • Best Multi-Use. Fridge Ninja. ...
  • Best Fast-Acting.

How do I stop my freezer from smelling like ice?

To avoid smelly ice cubes in a single-evaporator fridge, clean your refrigerator's ice collection bin according to the manufacturer's instructions; usually, a mixture of baking soda and warm water will do. Then put baking soda boxes in both the fresh-food and freezer compartments as close to the icemaker as possible.

What is the best thing to clean the inside of a freezer with?

Using a microfiber cloth, wipe the shelves and inside of the freezer with one of these two mixtures: 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water; or a mild soap and water solution.

What happens if you don't wait 24 hours to plug a fridge in?

If you've ever moved a fridge freezer, or even bought one brand new, you'll know that you are meant to give them time to settle once they've been put back down again. Waiting 24 hours before plugging in your fridge prevents compressor damage and ensures proper oil circulation.

How do you clean and sanitize a deep freezer?

A popular way to disinfect is to use one part distilled white vinegar, one part water, and three parts baking soda mixed into a paste. Wipe down the inside of the freezer, then wipe away the paste with a clean, damp cloth. Once the freezer has dried, plug it in, shut the door, and let it get cold.

How to clean a freezer quickly?

A warm day is ideal for defrosting your freezer to ensure the ice melts quickly! Once the freezer has defrosted, using an anti-bacterial spray like ones from Cif and a cloth is a quick way to clean the inside and outside.

What is the best cleaner for inside a refrigerator?

A mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing soap will give you a gentle yet effective cleaning solution for the fridge's interior. Soak a clean dish rag or a soft sponge in the solution, and wipe down the inside of the refrigerator, focusing on areas with spillage and stains.

How to clean a smelly chest freezer?

Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours. Check for odors.

Why does my freezer smell rotten?

There are several causes for bad smells coming from your freezer. Typically, the culprits are microbes – bacteria, yeasts and moulds. Although a freezer dramatically slows down the growth of most common spoilage microbes, some can still thrive if the temperature rises above -18°C (the recommended freezer temperature).

Can I use vinegar to clean my freezer?

Spray inside the freezer

If you don't have an antibacterial spray, you can make a homemade solution with water and white vinegar. Vinegar contains acid, which helps remove mildew, making it a great DIY cleaning solution.

How to get rid of the smell of rotten meat?

Ventilate the area: Open windows and doors to let fresh air circulate and carry away bad odors. Using fans can also help to speed up this process. Neutralize with vinegar or lemon: Place bowls of white vinegar or lemon water in the affected rooms. Both are natural odor neutralizers.

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