Rotting food smell in ref

[rverdlm]

We went away for 2 weeks and when we came back the fridge was off and the food was rotted. Anyone have a solution for getting the smell out and making the fridge usable again?

[Motor31]

Clean everything in the fridge with a strong solution containing bleach then use a liquid solution of baking soda and spread it over as much as you can of the plastic. Let it set a couple days then wipe down. It may draw the smell out of the plastic. Don't forget to really flush the drain hoses in the drip areas of the unit.

[rverdlm]

Thanks Mike! We've got the fridge OK, but the freezer is still pretty bad. We're doing what you've suggested. Also we got a suggestion from someone who cleans repoed boats to put newspaper in the freezer. We'll see!

[jdwilson3]

Also, put some charcoal briquets in the freezer to absorb odors, you can place them on newspaper.

[Eagle]

I have used fresh coffee grounds with good success.

[bstark]

I have been told that making a gooey sticky solution of baking soda and dish detergent, so that you actually paint it on the inside of the cabinet and it adheres to all surfaces, works to draw the odor out of that plastic liner.

The other option is to try a packet of stuff (I paid $1.99 at ACE Hardware per packet, but can't remember the name of the stuff) they sell in Florida that off-gasses and prevents the formation of mildew in closed up spaces. I believe it is heavily formeldahyde based as the instructions require you to use one packet for every 400cubic feet and to air the place out completely before inhabiting it again. I hung them from the ceiling fans and skedaddled out of there, don't see why they wouldn't work for your problem.

Good luck Dave.

[rverdlm]

One of the suggestions we got from another source is to wad up newspaper and fill the space for a couple of days and then discard the paper. It worked pretty well and we are using both the fridge and freezer. Still some odor, but not bad. I have plates of baking soda and I broke up charcoal anf have that in there also. It gets better each day. Thanks for all the suggestions.