Foul Odor in Refrigerator
Question: Our refrigerator has a foul odor. I have tried washing it out with vinegar and water, baking soda and leaving coffee grounds and toothpaste in it but to no avail. Would there be a commercial cleaner that would get rid of the problem? The freezer is fine.
Although you mentioned the freezer is working OK, if the odor is like a bleach smell it could mean there is a pinhole leak in the cooling system. The tell-tale visible signs of this are a yellow discolouration of the plastic in the fridge area and excessive corrosion on the metal racks. If either of these conditions are present, have the refrigerator checked out by a qualified RV technician.
In most cases, refrigerator odors can be attributed to mold, mildew or spoiled food. To prevent this from occurring in the future, make sure that you thoroughly clean the inside of the refrigerator after every use and always leave the refrigerator doors open when not in use. When cleaning the inside of the refrigerator always use a mild detergent—never abrasive or strong chemicals—and always remove the shelves to ensure that every area is cleaned—don’t forget to clean the door seals.
In extreme cases odors can permeate the plastic and/or foam components of the refrigerator compartment making it difficult or even impossible to remove. There is one last thing you could try before replacing the refrigerator. Make up a very mild solution of bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray all the interior surfaces with this solution and let stand for approximately 30 minutes, then scrub everything thoroughly. Let dry and repeat the process a couple of times. (Make sure the area is well ventilated and avoid breathing in the fumes.) If this doesn’t do the trick and having tried all the common remedies, then you may be left with no other option than to replace the refrigerator.
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