Freezers are designed to maintain and preserve the freshness of foods. But with power outages and accidental mishaps, the stench can become unbearable. When that happens, how to remove the fish smell from the freezer? Luckily, there are various household solutions on how to remove fish smell from freezer.
How to remove the fish smell from the freeze and freezer?
White Vinegar. Vinegar contains acetic acid which kills bacteria and eliminates the stench. Mix with five parts of water, scrubbing inside of a freezer with this solution can take smelly residues away. Leave it on for a few hours for the solution to absorb the stench.
Baking Soda. Baking soda is known to absorb odors by neutralizing both acids and bases. Sprinkle the powder unto your freezer’s floor. Do so after washing the interior with a soapy solution, rinsed with water and dried with a dish towel. Allow to stay for 2 days and sweep out thereafter.
Coffee Grounds. Coffee grounds can also absorb odor or, in a way, mask them with its own smell. Though used in the same way as baking soda, don’t sprinkle this directly to the interior. Instead of sprinkling it directly to your freezer, place it inside a tray or container with holes and allow around 2 to 3 days to absorb the stench. Remove when the smell is no longer evident.
Vanilla Extract + Newspaper Wads. Deliver a refreshing smell to your fridge by mixing the vanilla extract with equal parts water. Dip newspaper wads into the solution and place them inside the freezer. Close door and allow to deodorize interior for 2 to 4 days. Vanilla extract is known to mask unwanted odors. It’s even used as odor maskant for paints and industrial materials as well as an insect repellant.
Lemon Wipe. Lemons are known to have a potent astringent aroma that helps to clear unwanted stench. Mix fresh lemon juice with two parts of warm water. Place it inside a spray bottle and apply on freezer’s interior. Allow staying for 6 to 8 hours then, wipe it down. Refreshing!
The best thing about this? Most of these items can be found in your home. Hurray for simple but effective solutions to stinky freezer smell!
Did you apply all the options above but still couldn’t remove the fish smell?
Then try this…
How to remove fish smell from freezer (if all other options failed)
If all options failed, you may want to consider using the ultimate stench killer– bleach. Containing a chock-full of chemical ingredients with potent bactericidal properties, bleach is an effective medium to eradicate stains and unwanted smell off your freezer as well as clothes, floors, and even walls.
To eliminate the fishy smell from your freezer, make a concoction of bleach with equal parts water. Spray it into the freezer’s interior and allow to stay for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with clean water then, sprinkle baking soda on the top and bottom parts of the fridge. Let it stay for a while and scrape clean.
Be careful when using bleach though. Make sure your hands are protected and your nose covered when mixing as well as during application.
Reasons why fridge/freezer smells fishy? How To Prevent it?
It is imperative to dig deeper into what’s causing the stinky smell of your freezer.
- Rotten food and overlooked leftover stuff can easily accumulate bacteria and other microorganisms not visible to the eye. Ensure that this does not happen too frequently. Have a weekly routine to consume the leftover and clean up the fridge.
- Fish and other raw foods kept in the freezer when not properly packed can also develop into an unpleasant stink that assails the nose and yes, the palate. Not only will these result in an unpleasant odor, but it can also affect the freshness and taste of food. Clean and wrap the raw fish and wrap it tightly with a wax wrap, plastic or aluminum foil before putting it in the freezer.
- When the stink doesn’t go away after a thorough cleaning, you may also want to check the drip pan. Stagnant water can turn your fridge into mold’s breeding ground leading to its malodorous state.
- Worst, it could be an electrical fault– which obviously needs the attention of a specialist.
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