Hints From Heloise

Fridge Fumes

Dear Heloise: Please help. I just purchased a new SMALL REFRIGERATOR for our preschool. A parent gave us a bag of fresh shrimp, and we left it in the refrigerator during the weekend, but the door was not shut properly. Now the refrigerator has a BAD smell. I've tried baking soda, lemons and even leaving it open for days. It still smells! -- Angela, Via E-mail

Angela, you would be amazed how many letters we get on how to deal with a refrigerator or freezer in which something has spoiled. Many times, this odor is very difficult to remove, and sometimes, no matter what you try, the odor remains.

Here are some things you can try:

Fill the fridge with crumpled-up newspaper and close the door; leave it shut for a couple of days. Then remove the newspapers and keep replacing until the smell is gone.

Wipe all surfaces with a solution of half vanilla extract and half water. Let sit for several days.

Put some activated charcoal in the fridge and keep it closed for a day or two.

Fill a couple of plastic containers with some cat-box filler (buy the one that says "multiple-cat household," as it seems to be stronger). Shut the door and wait a few days.

We are hoping that one of these will work for you. However, if the juice from the shrimp leaked into the coils or insulation of the fridge, the odor will more than likely be permanent, and you might have no choice but to replace the refrigerator. Good luck, and let us know what happens. -- Heloise

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