How can I get a musty smell out of my 6 month old fridgefreezer?

Question

My fridge/freezer was purchased new in 12/07 and has developed a musty smell in both the fridge and freezer. What are the possible causes and how do I get rid of it? The obvious does not apply. There is nothing in either compartment that is unwrapped, spoiled, old, etc

Answer 1

1st-You need to determine the source of the smell. (I would check inside and out.) Try calling the manufacturer or even a local repair guy who could point you in the right direction.  

2nd-if it is a food-related issue, your best bet is to scrub it with baking soda and then use a wash of diluted white vinegar (do not combine them,  wash separately with each).  DO NOT use a strong chemical cleaner (such as pine-sol).  They have a strong smell that is hard to get out of plastic--such as the inside of a fridge.  You would just be exchanging one smell for another. (White vinegar is a great product for removing smells, such as urine smells in kids clothing-during the potty training phase.)  Diluted vanilla is a great wash to use as the final rinse. It helps to mask any remaining smell-if any-and adds a nice fragrance.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Baking soda

Check the trays underneath the fridge

And make sure nothing has spilled on the rubber seals around the doors

If it has a waterline check for leaks.

You can always call the manufacturer since it is still probably under warranty.

Answer 3

Wipe it down with pin-sol and then get a box of baking soda for both top and bottom.  they have specially made boxes that breath thru the sides now, those work best.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Personally, I don't think baking soda works very well for this.

I've got the best solution for eliminating the odor for good... and safe and totally fragrance free. Go out and get a couple of the FRIDGE-IT activated carbon odor absorbers - little purple cube - and put a couple of them in fridge and freezer. Totally unscented so it actually eliminates odor rather than covering up with some nasty fragrance.  I've used these for worst smells including spoiled fish in fridge and for odors under sink and trash.   Also have two cats and use these on litter box - they are FANTASTIC.   No spills or chemicals to worry about. You can buy these in kitchen gadget stores or just go direct which is what I do - contact them at [e-mail] and ask for order form. You get it right away.

Definitely the way to go. try it.

Good luck

Answer 5

BLEACH works better then anything and getting smells out.  Although be carefull using it with something else, bad reaction.

Answer 6

baking soda.

Answer 7

Wipe it down with white vinegar and water   equal parts....  let it air dry. this works best!   Note:  vinegar smell dissipates.  (Don't use pine sol or bleach unless you can unplug it and leave outside for a while.)

Be Blessed!

Answer 8

Baking soda. if you open a box in each it will clear out the smell.

Answer 9

I agree with other comment from Jen.

Two Words - FRIDGE IT.  

This product really does work great.   I use it everywhere including of course my fridge.  Good enough to use even on my boat in bait cooler ... and that's not so easy!