Ever notice how some fridges just seem to hold onto odors no matter what? Makes me wonder if it’s the plastic or something deeper.
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. I’ve tried baking soda, vinegar, even coffee grounds in a bowl, but sometimes that weird smell just lingers. My step-by-step is usually: empty everything, shelves out, scrub with hot water and dish soap, then wipe down with diluted vinegar. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try an enzyme spray like you mentioned. Do you think those fridge deodorizer boxes actually do anything, or are they just a waste of money?
Do you think those fridge deodorizer boxes actually do anything, or are they just a waste of money?
Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical about those little boxes. I’ve tried a couple and didn’t notice much difference compared to just sticking an open box of baking soda in there. Sometimes I wonder if it’s more about the fridge’s age or the seals trapping stuff in the plastic. One trick I picked up—leave the fridge open (unplugged) for a few hours after cleaning. Seems to help air out that “mystery funk” that nothing else touches.
I hear you on the fridge boxes. I tried one of those “activated charcoal” packs once—honestly, didn’t notice a huge change. Baking soda’s always done the trick for me, and it’s way cheaper. Sometimes I’ll even toss a slice of lemon in there for a bit of fresh scent. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather spend the extra money on snacks than fancy deodorizers.
Title: Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
Baking soda’s always done the trick for me, and it’s way cheaper. Sometimes I’ll even toss a slice of lemon in there for a bit of fresh scent.
I totally get the appeal of baking soda and lemon—super cheap, and you know exactly what’s going in your fridge. But I’ll just throw this out there: I used to be all about the DIY route, too, until I had a run-in with some really persistent onion smells that just wouldn’t quit. Maybe my fridge is cursed or something, but baking soda alone wasn’t cutting it.
Here’s what actually worked for me, step by step:
1. Pulled everything out (yeah, annoying, but worth it).
2. Washed shelves and bins with a mix of white vinegar and warm water—just eyeballed it, maybe 1:2 ratio.
3. Let everything dry completely before putting it back.
4. THEN added one of those charcoal packs (the kind you can “recharge” in the sun).
I noticed a difference after that combo. The vinegar took care of most of the lingering stuff, but the charcoal seemed to keep things fresher longer. Maybe it’s overkill for some folks, but if you’ve got stubborn odors, it might be worth a shot.
Not saying baking soda doesn’t work—it does for regular maintenance. But sometimes those store-bought options have their place, especially if you’re dealing with something extra funky or just want to set it and forget it for a few months.
If you’re on a tight budget, though, I’d still say stick with the basics most of the time. Just don’t count out the other stuff if you ever hit a wall with smells that won’t budge... Learned that one the hard way after my kid left half a tuna sandwich in the crisper for a week (yikes).
I’ve had a similar experience with persistent odors—sometimes those natural fixes just don’t cut it, especially after tenants leave behind “surprises” in the fridge. I’m a big fan of vinegar for deep cleans, but I’ve also used those charcoal packs and they’re surprisingly effective. Baking soda is great for routine stuff, but when you’re prepping an appliance for new renters (or just want to avoid the “mystery smell” situation), a combo approach seems to work best. That tuna sandwich story made me laugh... been there more times than I’d like to admit.
