Odors in the freeze

[johnlanglois]

To the point,someone left a pack of meat in the freezer after it was turned off.How can I get the smell out, I tried everything. It still smell!
Help.

[thesignlady]

If food has been allowed to spoil in a refrigerator or freezer, the strong odors associated with food spoilage may be extremely difficult to remove.

1.The first step is to clean the appliance with a gentle household cleaning solution and water. Use a bleach solution (one tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water) to rinse inside surfaces. While the unit is turned off, leave the door open for a day or two to air it out. Spray disinfectant around hinges and locks and into any openings. If the odor remains, try one of the following methods:

2.Place trays of activated charcoal, clean kitty litter or baking soda on the shelves of the refrigerator or freezer. Run the appliance empty for 2 or 3 days. Activated charcoal can be purchased from stores that sell aquarium and terrarium supplies.

Place freshly ground coffee on cookie sheets in the refrigerator or freezer and close the door. Again, run the appliance empty for 2 or 3 days. A slight coffee odor may remain, but will disappear after washing and rinsing.

3.Pack each refrigerator or freezer shelf with crumpled newspaper. Set a cup of water on the top shelf or sprinkle the newspaper with water. Allow the refrigerator or freezer to run for approximately 5 or 6 days. This method is time consuming, but effectively removes strong odors.

4.Several commercial products are available for removal of refrigerator and freezer odors. These products may be purchased at hardware, grocery, discount and variety stores.

5.If the unit has been off several days, it is possible the odor has gone into the insulation. If the odor has penetrated the insulation, much work is needed to get it out. An air compressor might be needed to blow air into various sections of the unit. If the above methods did not satisfactorily take care of odor problems it may require service of removing the main door taking it apart and replacing the insulation that is tucked in between the doors shelves. The screws for taking the door apart are hidden under the gasket, just pry the gasket back and unscrew.

[AWCHIEF]

Peppermint Oil. After a deep cleaning, put a few drops on cotton balls and place in compartment. It works wonders on nasty smells plus no more ants or mice.

[63air]

We had the compressor fail on a new refrigerator while we were on vacation for a week. Lots of spoiled meat in it and an odor that was beyond belief and that I thought would never come out. The manufacturer advised us to take crumpled pages of newspaper wet it down and fill the freezer section with it and to put a bunch in the bottom of the refrigerator as well. We changed the paper every day or so in in about 10 days the odor was gone.

[Protagonist]

I'll add one idea, though some of the others already suggested should work:

Wash thoroughly with white wine vinegar. That's also my go-to solution for washing the fridge before placing the Airstream in storage, because it inhibits mold growth.

[tjdonahoe]

Use hot water with Clorox and wipe it down a few times, works every time.......

[AtomicNo13]

Vanilla extract wiped over the entire interior surface is a time proven cure for stink!

[GeocamperAS]

I was an appliance technician for 13 years before teaching appliance repair at a tech school for 25 years. Trust me, this will work.
First wash with a baking soda paste. Then rinse very well. Then let dry. Then, like you are waxing a car, spread on a thin coat of a mint tooth paste. Let that dry at least 24 hours. Then wipe it off with a dry towel.

[mefly2]

...hydrogen peroxide solution ... diluted - a bit less offensive to your nose than bleach ... non-toxic with no bleach residue.

[mrrealtor]

Stuff with crumpled newspaper. It will absorb all the smell. Works all the time in real estate.


1972 Airstream International Land Yacht Sovereign