There’s nothing worse than opening your fridge door, only to be greeted by a rancid pong. Did something go off? Or maybe it’s the cheese? Either way, you’ve lost your appetite.
A smelly fridge is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyday ingredients release odours which combine (or stand alone) to create something unpleasant. A few notorious culprits include: curry, fish, cheese and garlic, but really any leftovers can leave their mark.
Of course, when food is past its best, you can quickly remove it from the equation, but what can you do about those ingredients that need to stay in the fridge? There is an answer, and no, it’s not bicarb or coffee grounds – it’s something more unorthodox that you potentially use every morning.
Why is my fridge smelly?
Before we give the solution, you need to better understand the problem. Yes, your food is making the fridge smell, but there’s more to it than that.
According to Dr Primrose Freestone, professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester: ‘Smells are due to volatile chemicals, which decaying food in particular release via microbial decomposition (aka rotting). Fish is highly perishable and so starts smelling early in its decomposition.’
Your food is constantly releasing odour molecules (or volatile compounds) into the air, which are prominent thanks to the enclosed space. If food is exposed, the environment is humid or if the temperature isn’t optimal (it should be 5ºC or below), the decomposition rate will accelerate and the smell will worsen. So, your smelly fridge could be a consequence of poor settings or poor food storage. Overcrowding the fridge can also contribute to bad smells since there’s no air circulation between items.
Finally, your fridge might also need a clean to remove spills, stains and general grime, which can also smell. Once empty, the drawers and shelves can be removed and washed in warm, soapy water. Then, you can clean the interior with a solution of Milton Sterilising Fluid with cold water. Dry with a clean tea towel afterwards and let it get back to fridge temperature before returning food.
How can I stop my fridge from smelling?
We mentioned bicarb as a go-to solution for a smelly fridge; a bowl of this placed strategically in the fridge will actively neutralise acidic and alkaline odour molecules. And it works in spaces all over the home, such as your gym bag, the microwave or even in smelly shoes. Coffee grounds are another hailed solution; it smells great to start with, but it also absorbs and neutralises odours with its nitrogen-heavy base.
But the solution we’re recommending for this feature can be found elsewhere in your cupboards, and it’s something you likely use every morning. It’s porridge oats! Yes, raw, uncooked porridge oats can be a saviour when it comes to a smelly fridge.
Dr Freestone continues: ‘Oats readily absorb water, and some of the odorous chemicals that make fridges smelly are water-soluble, which means the oats absorb this water-solubilised odour – sodium bicarbonate or activated charcoal work on the same principle (and work faster than oats).’
Porridge oats are brilliant deodorisers thanks to their porous nature. Think about how they absorb moisture when you cook with them. Oats absorb both volatile compounds (smells) from the air as well as humidity, which slows down the decomposition process. And all this from a scentless addition!
But don’t just take our word for it; we asked Jasmine Vorley, homes writer at the GHI, to put it to the test: ‘My ageing fridge has a tendency to harbour smells. After the weekend, it was full of containers of leftovers (including a very ripe and garlicky jar of kimchi), and let’s just say it was in need of an easy deodorising trick. I was slightly sceptical of the oats method, but it seemed so cheap and easy I figured I had nothing to lose.
‘I threw a couple of handfuls of dry oats into a shallow bowl and popped it on the middle fridge shelf – it must have taken me 30 seconds. After about 12 hours, I gave the fridge a sniff and noticed it was significantly fresher. After 24 hours, I was surprised to find the fridge barely had any smell at all! I was really surprised at how well it worked – a bowl of oats may become a semi-permanent fixture on my fridge shelf from now on.’
How to use oats to deodorise your fridge
It really is as simple as Jasmine describes:
- Grab a pack of fresh oats – uncooked, instant and dry rolled all work well.
- Pour a shallow layer into a small bowl, ramekin or plate.
- Place at the back of the middle shelf in your fridge, or wherever the smell is coming from, but try to avoid condensation.
- Leave to work its magic. You’ll notice a difference after several hours, and after 24 hours, smells will be significantly reduced.
- Your oats should last for one to two weeks; ideal if you have guests or smelly leftovers to store. If you need longer, bicarb will last for up to three months before needing to be replaced.
- Do not eat when you’re finished with your oats; not with everything it’s absorbed! Throw on the compost heap instead.
Of course, dry oats are not a miracle worker. If you’re storing spoiled items in your fridge – or it’s crowded, overly moist, needs cleaning or it’s at the wrong temperature – dry oats will struggle to neutralise any smells. Take a moment to address the cause of the smell if you can first, then give dry oats a go. Keep in mind, as Dr Freestone says, bicarb also works faster (and better), so if you’re having to choose between the two, go for the bicarb.
What you need to deodorise your fridge
