Refrigerator smells bad when running. A refrigerator is an essential appliance in any household, providing a safe and convenient way to store food items. However, if you’ve noticed a foul smell coming from your refrigerator when it’s running, it can be quite unpleasant and concerning.
A bad smell emanating from your fridge could be a sign of a variety of issues, from expired food to bacteria growth or even a malfunctioning appliance.
In this case, it’s essential to take immediate action to investigate the root cause of the problem and eliminate the odor to prevent any potential health hazards or food spoilage.
Refrigerator smells bad when running
The following are the reasons why your refrigerator smells bad, and the solution to this problem is as follows.
Cleaning the fridge
The first step you must do if your refrigerator smells bad is to clean the fridge. Cleaning is the most important factor that plays a key role.
If you are facing bad smell problems with your fridge, the first and foremost thing is to clean your fridge. Properly clean all the drawers and the refrigerator.
Also, use vinegar to clean different molds, etc. Remove all the shelves and then try cleaning the fridge for better cleaning. This is an even more effective way.
Vinegar is the best option when it comes to cleaning because it works more efficiently than soap as well as water. This vinegar is used to kill more things than the normal soap that is used.
Remove the leftovers
Another thing that you can do is to remove all the leftovers present in the fridge. This is also one of the main causes of your refrigerator smelling bad. This is one common reason.
Most of the time, the leftover food causes a smell in the fridge. This is due to the rotten food that cannot be used later.
So, the best way is to remove all the rotten and leftovers from your fridge to eliminate the smell and odor that makes it difficult to stand in front of the refrigerator.
Cleaning the vents
There are, in total, two vents that are present in your refrigerator. These vents have their very own specific functions. The very first vent is present between your fridge and freezer.
The purpose of this vent is to pass the cold air, and sometimes this vent becomes smelly, and as a result, the refrigerator becomes smelly.
Another vent is present underneath the fridge also. This vent can also get blocked and smelly. Also, molds grow in different parts of the ducts. This can cause the refrigerator to smell really bad.
Deodorize the Refrigerator
Another way can be by deodorizing the refrigerator. This can be done by using baking soda. The best way to get rid of such odor is to deodorize the fridge with the help of baking soda.
Baking soda can deodorize and remove the odor. Now, the new refrigerators even come with baking soda packing that has to be placed in the fridge and easily deodorize your refrigerator.
Clean the back of the refrigerator
One more thing you can do is clean the back or behind of the fridge. This is also essential as if the back of the fridge has molds or blockage, then that can also cause the refrigerator to smell bad.
Sometimes the mold starts growing and decaying into the fridge, and due to this, the refrigerator can become smelly.
Cleaning the Food Containers
The next step is to clean the outside of the food containers. Due to drips, the outside of the containers starts to smell really bad even if no leftover food is present.
So, the only thing you can do in such a case is clean the containers to get rid of such smells and odors.
Change the water filter
Another thing you can do is to change the water filter. Most of the time, the dust and molds start to grow in the water filter. This can cause the water filter to release a smell or an odor.
Sometimes water that has been standing still for a long time can also cause water to smell really bad.
Refrigerator is new
Another reason for your fridge that is smelling bad can be due to another cause. This reason can be due to your new fridge.
Generally, the new refrigerator usually smells bad. So, this problem can be solved after some time.
The latest refrigerators are smelly because they are packed in wrap paper or other items for a long time. This may cause the fridge to smell bad.
Insects in the refrigerator
Another reason for the refrigerator’s smell can be the presence of insects or rodents in the fridge. Due to this, the refrigerator starts smelling bad.
Final Thoughts
A bad odor emanating from your refrigerator when it’s running is a cause for concern, as it could indicate a variety of issues. It’s crucial to take action to investigate the root cause of the problem and eliminate the smell to prevent any potential health hazards or food spoilage. Some common solutions include cleaning the interior of the fridge, checking for expired food items, and adjusting the temperature settings. By taking swift and decisive action, you can ensure that your refrigerator continues to function optimally, providing safe and convenient storage for your food items.
