How to Remove a Stubborn Smell from a Very Stinky Fridge

A smelly fridge can make your whole kitchen feel unhygienic and, in some cases, completely unusable. Sometimes, no matter how thoroughly you clean the appliance, the smell just won’t go away.

This situation is more common than many realise. It often happens after moving into a new home, when previous occupants didn’t clean the appliances properly, or after a power cut caused the food in the fridge to spoil while you were away. We see this regularly during our End of Tenancy cleaning in London, where a fridge has been accidentally unplugged or left unused for a long time with food residue inside.

The good news is that, in many cases, even a very smelly fridge can be saved. The key is understanding where fridge odours really come from and why surface cleaning alone often isn’t enough.

Why Fridge Smells Are So Hard to Remove

One of the biggest misconceptions about fridge odours is that they come solely from the shelves and walls. In reality, the smell usually comes from hidden areas where moisture and food residue collect and sit undisturbed. Liquids such as milk, meat juices, or sauces can seep into places you can’t easily see. Even stale water can become a problem, as damp conditions lead to mould and bacterial growth, and smells can be absorbed into the plastic components or even the insulation. So, if the source of the contamination remains, the smell will always return. For those moving into a new property, a thorough one-off cleaning of all kitchen appliances is often the only way to ensure a fresh start.

Read also: The Ultimate Guide to a Fresh and Clean Fridge

The Areas Most People Miss When Cleaning a Stinky Fridge

When a foul odour remains after a thorough fridge cleaning, it’s usually because one or more of the following areas have trapped food residue and moisture:

The Hidden Drain Holes and Defrost Channels

Most fridges have a small drain hole at the back of the compartment and sometimes in the freezer. These drains allow condensation to escape, but they also collect food particles, mould, and stagnant water over time.

If these channels are blocked or dirty, their contents produce surprisingly strong smells that circulate back into the fridge. Flushing these drains with warm water and gently cleaning them can make a huge difference. It is one of the most common causes of the dreaded “mystery” fridge smell.

The Drip Tray Underneath the Fridge

The drip tray collects water from the fridge’s defrost cycle. Because it’s hidden underneath or at the back of the appliance, it’s often forgotten for years. Over time, the water inside can become stagnant and foul-smelling.

In many cases, simply removing and thoroughly cleaning the drip tray with hot water and disinfectant is enough to eliminate a persistent odour. If you find this task difficult to manage, our regular domestic cleaning service can ensure these often-overlooked areas stay maintained.

Door Seals and Rubber Gaskets

Rubber door seals are another frequent culprit. Food and liquids can seep into the gasket’s folds and remain unnoticed for months. We’ve seen everything from old milk residue to mould growth and trapped food debris inside these seals.

Cleaning gaskets thoroughly, including deep folds, is essential for dealing with stubborn smells. It is a detail-oriented task, but it is the only way to ensure the odour doesn’t return every time you open the door.

Behind and Underneath the Appliance

In busy households or rental properties, food can easily roll under the fridge. Combined with dust, pet hair, and moisture, this creates a lingering smell that seems to come from inside the appliance, when it actually comes from the floor beneath.

In rare cases, particularly in ground-floor or garden-access properties, odours may even be caused by pests that got trapped behind the fridge and couldn’t escape. Pulling the appliance out to sanitise the floor and the back coils is a vital step in any deep-cleaning process.

Check also: How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro

Matching the Solution to the Smell

Once the fridge has been properly cleaned, it’s much easier to deal with lingering odours – but different smells respond to different approaches.

Rotten food smells

Strong food-related smells usually respond well to odour absorbers. Activated charcoal is one of the most effective options because it absorbs odours without masking them. Coffee grounds, clean, unscented kitty litter, and baking soda can also help.

These methods work best when you leave an open container with the odour-absorbing substance inside the fridge for several days. They’re ideal for homeowners, but they’re not always practical if you’re approaching a final inspection or preparing a short-term rental for guests, when you are on a tight schedule.

Musty or damp smells

A musty smell usually indicates trapped moisture. In these cases, it’s essential to ensure all cleaned areas are completely dry. Leaving the fridge empty and unplugged with the door open for a few hours can help air it out. Placing activated charcoal or specialised fridge deodorisers inside the appliance can help lift lingering odours. If the smell persists, it may mean mould has developed deeper than surface level.

Read also: How to Clean Your Washing Machine

Using Enzyme Cleaners for Embedded Odours

When a smell keeps returning, enzyme cleaners can be very effective. These products break down organic matter at a molecular level. They work by “digesting” the proteins and fats that cause smells in the first place, making them perfect for meat juices or dairy spills.

It’s important to allow enzyme cleaners enough contact time to work. Unlike standard disinfectants, they need time to break down the organic material. Once the area has been treated and dried, odour absorbers like charcoal or baking soda work much more effectively.

A Note on Popular Home Remedies

Many “green-cleaning” tips suggest using vanilla, pine branches, or lemon oil. While these smell lovely, they are masking agents that do not remove the underlying problem. Similarly, while newspapers can absorb moisture, they require frequent replacement to be truly effective.

On the other end of the spectrum, some people suggest heavy-duty products like bleach or ammonia. However:

• Bleach should be used with extreme caution as it can physically degrade and discolour fridge plastics, making them porous and more likely to trap future odours. Additionally, its pungent fumes linger in enclosed spaces and can easily be absorbed by your food. 
• Ammonia is never recommended for fridge cleaning because its harsh fumes can be absorbed by food. Ammonia can also cause the internal plastic liners to become brittle or crack. Furthermore, if it comes into contact with traces of bleach-based cleaners, it can produce highly toxic gases. 

When DIY Fridge Cleaning Isn’t Enough

When a fridge still smells despite your best efforts, the odour may be absorbed into internal plastic components or insulation. This is particularly common in newly purchased homes, rental properties, and Airbnb lets. At this stage, more drastic measures may be required.

Professional-grade ozone machines can neutralise odour-causing bacteria, but they must be used with care. The fridge must be unplugged and the space properly ventilated afterwards. Most importantly, no people or pets should be in the area while the machine is working. Using an ozone machine is a last-resort option, but it is extremely effective for short-term rentals with fast turnover.

Check also: Why DIY Oven Cleaning Hacks Often Fail

Protecting the Value of Your Rental Property

Lingering odours can make even a spotless property feel neglected and unhygienic. If you don’t deal with smells from the fridge, it can lead to tenant complaints, negative guest reviews, or even the unnecessary cost of replacing a perfectly functional appliance. Addressing the problem properly at the molecular level is almost always more cost-effective than a premature replacement.

If you are dealing with stubborn smells or dirt as part of a tenancy change, or deep seasonal cleaning, The Happy House Cleaning London is here to take the stress off your hands. Our one-off and end of tenancy cleaning services are designed to restore hygiene and return your property to a fresh, neutral condition that welcomes new occupants.