|
|
Post by bigtimetroubles on Jul 20, 2010 1:46:16 GMT -5
my fridge got moved and the movers had to lay it on its back to get it into the new house so they said not to plug it in for an hour or two to let the compressor oil settle back to level....the fridge has been off ever since Saturday afternoon and it is now Tuesday...it is sitting in new house in position that is a bit off...it is not quite level and I know I can level it with the movable feet, I have a fridge level that is little round bubble item that you set on flat surface of fridge to level it out. I have that planned for today but I noticed a slight minor smell coming from inside the fridge....it has not been cleaned for long time and I know I should clean it now to get some of the smell out but is there anything in particular that I should do in cleaning the fridge to get the smell to go away? it is not horrid just an off smell....
any and all advice useful...I know I can put baking soda inside in box but how about washing inside with baking soda? I need good solid idears....
hugs btt
|
|
|
|
Post by bigtimetroubles on Jul 20, 2010 1:48:44 GMT -5
I should say I ran the door shelves thru dishwasher along with one of two crisper's....I can run the second crisper that way and set one shelf of glass from inside into dishwasher too...this is how I sterilize the shelf units inside of fridge but that smell might be on walls of inside...just need little advice from you experts
|
|
|
|
Post by Rory on Jul 20, 2010 2:12:49 GMT -5
Don't keep the door shut without the fridge switched on. This advice might be a bit too late. I use sodiium bicarbonate to clean the inside. Clean it out and leave the door open and the smell should go.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigtimetroubles on Jul 20, 2010 6:00:02 GMT -5
where does one buy sodium bicarbonate?
|
|
|
|
Post by bigrae on Jul 20, 2010 6:25:44 GMT -5
Hi BTT
bicarbonate of soda is the U.K name for baking soda,you can dip a
damp cloth in the baking soda and wipe the inside of the fridge.
Check the seals around the doors sometimes smell gets trapped in
there. If you have no baking soda, toothpaste will clean and
deodorize a fridge effectively,
Hope this helps.
BigRae
|
|
|
|
Post by dtesposito on Jul 20, 2010 7:44:41 GMT -5
Hi btt, I agree that starting with baking soda is the best bet. You can make a sort of paste or slurry of it, wipe down the entire inside with it and leave it on there for a while--then wash it away. If the smell isn't too bad that should work. If it doesn't, then you can do something stronger like a very diluted bleach solution. I know bleach isn't good to breathe but it removes smell like nothing else--try the baking soda first though, and if you use bleach dilute it down to at least 1:20 and use gloves and good ventilation. Then air fridge out so your food doesn't smell like bleach!
Diane
|
|
|
|
Post by Rory on Jul 20, 2010 7:50:01 GMT -5
A food shop that sells stuff for baking. In the UK most supermarkets have it and I imagine that it is the some where you are.
Best of luck
Rory
|
|
|
|
Post by momof3boys on Jul 20, 2010 10:50:35 GMT -5
I would keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator at all times.
|
|
|
|
Post by eagle on Jul 20, 2010 10:58:39 GMT -5
I use vinegar to clean inside my refrigerator. It disinfects while cleaning and eliminates offensive odors.
Make sure you clean the grooves in the gaskets, as it's the hidden areas where the mold will grow unseen. Just soak a cleaning cloth in the vinegar and gently pull the gasket groove slightly open to expose the inside of the goove and clean with the cloth. You can pull the cloth through the groove quite easily and this really gets it nice and clean and improves the odor of the fridge.
If it is still unplugged, you can let it air dry, but that's not necessary. A simple wipe down after the cleaning dries it out sufficiently.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigtimetroubles on Jul 20, 2010 11:36:55 GMT -5
thanks everyone for the ideas...I will try to get it level today and to get it wiped out with something to remove the odor...
hugs btt
|
|
|
|
Post by success19 on Jul 20, 2010 13:47:31 GMT -5
Just set a bowl of vinegar inside the fridge too - it will absorb some of the fridge odor - of course the fridge will smell like vinegar until the air circulates - but that is better than spoiled food smell.
|
|
|
|
Post by def6 on Jul 20, 2010 14:01:12 GMT -5
warm water mixed with baking soda and If the seal is dirty -toothpast and an old tooth brush.
|
|
|
|
Post by mellowyellow on Jul 20, 2010 17:54:38 GMT -5
An onion cut in half, sitting on a plate. Sounds yuck but it works.
Also, fill the fridge with crumpled up newspaper and let it sit for a day or so. The newspaper will absorb the stale smell. Can also work in a microwave when you've burnt something inside.
A couple of hunks of untreated black carbon/charcoal. I have that right now and it works well. Same stuff that is inside a brita filter, and those expensive fridge "smell nice" gadgets
Rub a lime or lemon across the walls and shelves of the fridge. Leave the halves in a plate for a day or so.
|
|
|
|
Post by gifted on Jul 20, 2010 18:23:45 GMT -5
btt,
I think that some of the smell will go away when the fridge is cold again.
There is a term for the tendency of plastic to pick up smells. It is called "flavor scalping." When deodorizing food containers, I find that used wet coffee grounds seem to work better than the baking soda, but I would not know how to get them to stick to the walls of the fridge. I also use used tea leaves.
|
|
|
|
Post by success19 on Jul 20, 2010 20:30:28 GMT -5
I think food odors get into the insulation within the walls of the fridge - when it warms the smells - get smelly - if it is warm along time - the smell can become permanant. Once air circulates it will prob get better.
|
|
