No matter how much you cook or how strict your cleaning routine is, chances are you have encountered some funk in your refrigerator at one time or another. It’s no surprise that refrigerators can become very smelly due to the demands of family, work, and social responsibilities. You might need to quickly clean your kitchen and pay more attention to your fridge when this happens. There are many ways to get rid of that disgusting fridge smell, but the easiest is to put baking soda in your fridge.
Baking soda can be used in a multitude of ways. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and very simple to use. No matter if your refrigerator is the most expensive on the market, or if it’s a 15-year old clunker that you don’t have the money for, baking soda can be kept in your fridge. This will ensure that the appliance smells fresh and clean.
Continue reading to find out why baking soda is so effective in your fridge, how to organize your fridge to maximize its odor-busting capabilities and how you can keep it fresh.
Why would you store baking soda in the refrigerator?
Mold, yeast, and decomposing foods are the main causes of bad smells in your fridge. These food items can also be used to make rich compost for gardening. The bacteria that lives in your fridge releases smelly molecules into the atmosphere. These molecules can be either alkaline or basic (basic) and are released by the bacteria. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is attractive to both acidic (basic) and base particles. It can transform both strong and weak alkaline molecules into neutral-smelling sodium sodium salts.
The smells from your fridge are basically made up of food particles floating around until they reach your nose. Baking soda can be used to neutralize the odor in your refrigerator and help de-stink the fridge.
However, baking soda can absorb some food particles as part of its odor neutralization process. This could compromise the baking soda’s taste. You should therefore keep separate baking soda in the fridge. Also, avoid using the same baking soda to neutralize odors.
Is baking soda really effective in the fridge?
Yes. It’s easy to use. It doesn’t require you to make any weird concoctions, or mix it with other eco-friendly cleaners. Keep a container of baking soda in your fridge, and you can replace it every three months. You may need to replace the baking soda more frequently, maybe once a month, if it loses its effectiveness.
To remember when baking soda needs to be replaced in your refrigerator, simply date the container when it is placed in the fridge. You can also make a note in your calendar or set up recurring reminders on a mobile device. Old school? You can use your nose to swap out baking soda for your fridge when it starts to smell.
You should also note that baking soda can be very effective at neutralizing odors in your fridge. However, it will not completely eliminate all smells. Baking soda won’t absorb smells from open containers of pickled onions or raw fish if it has been there for more than a week. To get rid of all the funk, you’ll probably have to clean your refrigerator with baking soda (more later).
What place should I put baking soda in my fridge?
You can make space for baking soda, no matter how creative your fridge organization ideas are. A container of baking soda stored in the fridge will have positive effects regardless of its location. However, to maximize its potential for absorbing odors, it is best to keep it close to fetid foods. The baking soda will have a greater chance of absorbing pungent and putrid odors if it is close to food molecules.
A box or bowl of baking soda can be kept on every shelf of your fridge if your fridge is big. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your crisper drawers to store fruits and vegetables. Cover it with a paper towel. The crisper drawer baking soda should be replaced at least every three months, just like the baking soda boxes.
You may want to consider the temperature of your refrigerator if you find yourself replacing baking soda every few days and throwing away spoiled food all the time. The fridge might not be keeping your food cold enough if they aren’t keeping their foods fresh long enough.
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How much baking soda do I need to put in my fridge?
It doesn’t matter how much baking soda goes in your refrigerator, but how it is distributed. You’ve effectively wasted a whole gallon of baking soda if you fill an old milk container with baking soda and the only area that is visible is the 1-inch opening.
Baking soda should have as much surface area as possible to maximize its odor-neutralizing properties. Baking soda will give you the most bang for your buck. Pour at least one cup into a bowl, or spread it on a large plate. This will allow as many sodium bicarbonate crystals as possible to be exposed to the air, neutralizing odors.
You don’t need to sacrifice space for a bowl or plate of baking soda. Instead, keep an open baking soda container in your fridge. This is especially true if the box has a large opening. Baking soda boxes are made for freezing and the refrigerator with large cutouts that let the odors flow through the container without the baking soda getting everywhere.
Remember that the size of your fridge will also affect how much baking soda you need. Baking soda will be more needed for large refrigerators with lots of food than for smaller fridges with fewer food options or mini refrigerators.
Is it possible to freeze baking soda?
Absolutely! Baking soda is the same thing in the freezer and refrigerator as it is in the fridge. Baking soda can be placed in the freezer to neutralize any odors and prevent strange tastes or smells from getting into the ice.
What other uses can baking soda be used in the kitchen?
This simple pantry staple is a household essential. Baking soda is a great kitchen tool, not only to keep your fridge and freezer fresh. Baking soda can also be used to clean your fridge and freezer. You can scrub the interior of your fridge with water and baking soda, or vinegar if you have stubborn stains or persistent odors.
You might want to have a few boxes of baking soda on hand, due to its usefulness. These small boxes are inexpensive and can be kept in a cupboard or under your kitchen sink until you need them.
What are some other odor-eliminating options to baking soda?
We understand that baking soda, even though it is good-old-fashioned and perfect in every way, can be a great natural alternative to deodorizers. These are some of the possible deodorizers.
Coffee: Although coffee will not eliminate odors as well as baking soda, the dry grounds can be used to reduce fridge funk. The coffee method produces a mild aroma, so the grounds might need to be changed once a week.
Vinegar: Like baking soda vinegar can be used in many different recipes. It is great for cleaning and makes a great fruit wash. You can also use it to neutralize refrigerator odors. You can place a cup of vinegar near the source of the smell. After a while, the vinegar will begin to absorb the fridge smells. Make sure to use plain white vinegar and not balsamic, red or apple cider vinegar. You should also replace the vinegar every few weeks.
Activated charcoal is a pure carbon compound that traps and neutralizes odors. It can be purchased online or in pet shops. This product is often used to purify water in fish tanks. You can either buy it as a powder or pellet and keep a cup in your fridge. Or, you can get activated charcoal cartridges which can be used in cars, closets, bathrooms, and litter boxes to absorb odors.