by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: May 31, 2007   Last Updated: July 20, 2011

Although it seems like an obvious statement the first thing to do is find the cause of the odor and remove it from the fridge. They don't just smell bad with regular use. Something has gone bad. There is spoiled food that needs to be removed.

Then clean the fridge. Use what ever cleaners you have a passion for. Some people prefer to clean green. My Grandmother swears by bleach. I use a Lysol cleaner. What I consider essential is after cleaning you use a swipe of lemon and water mixture to cover the area and let the fridge dry. The scent is clean and fresh.

While the fridge is drying wash the outside of all the items you are going to put back in. It's amazing how many things get tossed back in the fridge with drips and sticky goop.

How you arrange your fridge can help prevent odors in the future. There should be a shelf that is dedicated to leftovers.Every two days it is someone's chore to go to this shelf and find a way to use the item or get rid of the item. Long term leftovers are stored in the freezer. This has can be a big help in any household.

Vegetable and fruit drawers should have washable liners in place. These should be washed and changed once per week. This help with extra moisture and spill or spoilage. It also ensures you get in those drawers at least once per week. It may be that you catch the items before they begin to smell.

I am a believer in baking soda as well. You can buy the refrigerator box; lay some in a shallow pan, or open a regular box. Remember like anything else this needs to be changed. The boxes made for the refrigerators typically last three months.

I am not sure about your family, but at my house everyone gets in and out of the fridge. So the fridge and putting food and items away are chores that we share as a family. Even my youngest knows to wipe the ketchup bottle before you put it back in the fridge. When her chore is to help clean the table she knows that it is part of the job description.

Keeping a clean and healthy fridge is part of keeping a clean and healthy kitchen. The longer you let it go, the bigger problem you will have. Make it a bi-monthly chore and there will never be a spoiled moment.

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