We’ve all had the experience of opening our refrigerators only to get a whiff of something foul. Is it a stray, rotting vegetable somewhere behind your condiments? Did you spill something? No one wants to play “What’s That Smell?,” but if you don’t regularly clean your fridge, you might find yourself an unwilling contestant. Here are our best tips for cleaning an old refrigerator in Cherokee County, GA.

The source of the smell

So, what can cause a bad smell from a fridge in Cherokee County, GA? It’s not always food going bad. Sometimes the odors from your food—especially if you’ve had things go bad inside the fridge before—can seep into the plastic and haunt you for weeks or even months to come.

The smell itself is caused by microbes. As food goes bad, or condensation collects in your fridge, mold and mildew microbes get in and start to multiply. The more there are, the more your refrigerator will smell. The only way to get rid of the smell is to kill the microbes—and make sure they’re unable to form again.

How to deep clean your fridge

You probably already know that adding a dish of something absorbent, like baking soda or spent coffee grounds, can absorb odors in your fridge. That’s a good solution for situations that arise in between deep cleanings, but if you’re already smelling foul odors, it’s time to get out the cleaning supplies:

• Turn off the fridge: You’re going to be scrubbing with the doors open for a while—there’s no sense in wasting electricity. Unplug your fridge when you’re ready to start cleaning.
• Take everything out: Next, take everything out—all the food, drawers and anything else lurking in your fridge. Toss anything that’s expired or is about to go bad. Put the salvageable food into a cooler.
• Wash the drawers: Scrub the removable parts with soap and hot water, making sure to get into any crevices. Make sure that every last bit of food and spills are completely gone, or the smell may come back. If the plastic has absorbed odors, use baking soda and vinegar to scrub it again.
• Wash the interior: Using a scrubbing sponge and non-toxic cleaning solution (either soap and water, baking soda and vinegar or another cleaning product), go over the interior completely. Wash the shelves, sides, ceiling and doors thoroughly, and allow to dry.
• Replace the drawers and removable parts: After the drawers and interior are dry, replace any removable parts. At this point, your fridge should not smell funky anymore. If it still does, you may need to enlist professional help.
• Wipe down your food containers: Wipe down the outside of your food containers with a non-toxic cleaner, in case microbes are hanging out on them. Then you can put them back in your fridge.
• Turn the temperature down: Finally, make sure your fridge’s temperature is set to 35 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more tips for cleaning an old refrigerator in Cherokee County, GA, or to schedule professional cleaning services, call Marie’s Cleaning Service today.