Eliminate Refrigerator Odors with Just Two Common, Cheap Items: “My Grandma and Mom Always Did This”

Refrigerators are notorious for developing unpleasant smells, but two inexpensive household items can work wonders in getting rid of those unwanted odors.

A student living in a dorm was feeling frustrated with the strong smell of prepped meals that seemed to take over the entire living space every time the fridge door was opened. In response, cleaning enthusiasts shared their best solutions to banish these odors.

Meal prepping has become part of daily life for many people, especially when the demands of full-time work or study become overwhelming. To save time, some choose to cook in bulk and prepare all their meals for the upcoming week.

While this may be an ideal time-saving strategy, it does come with drawbacks, as one student discovered. Despite using airtight glass containers, the smell remained overwhelming, leaving them feeling nauseated.

The student took to Reddit for advice in a post titled simply: “Getting Rid of Food Odors in the Fridge.”

They explained: “I have a small dorm fridge, and I store my prepped meals in airtight glass containers. Still, the smell is overpowering.”

“Every time I open the fridge, I feel sick from the smell of food. It’s driving me crazy. All the meals are heavily seasoned and contain garlic/onions, so maybe that’s why—but I just can’t take it anymore.”

They asked for ways to reduce the smell, adding: “I hate feeling like I can’t open my fridge without spraying half a bottle of perfume.”

In the comments, people eagerly shared their ideas—many recommending sliced lemons or baking soda as natural odor removers.

One person suggested: “Try placing baking soda in the fridge and replace it every few weeks. Also, cut a few slices of lemon and leave them overnight.”

Another agreed: “I’ve known this trick since I was a kid back in the 70s—my grandmother used to do it. A classic hack.”

A third commenter added: “My mom always did this, and now, 20 years later, I finally understand why.”

Another tip: “Cut a lemon in half or quarters and place it in the fridge. Replace it weekly. It works really well for removing that typical ‘fridge smell.’”

Why Lemon and Baking Soda Work Against Fridge Odors

According to the UK’s Express, lemon is effective because its acidity neutralizes unpleasant odors while its naturally fresh, clean scent leaves the fridge smelling pleasant.

Similarly, baking soda is a powerful deodorizer thanks to its strong absorbent properties and its ability to neutralize odors effectively.