How to Get Rid of That New Fridge Plastic Smell: A Simple and Effective Guide

When you buy a new refrigerator, it often has an unpleasant plastic smell. Let’s explore some simple and effective ways to get rid of this odor in the article below.

1. When should you deodorize a new refrigerator?

Most new refrigerators have a noticeable plastic smell due to the material used in their interior. This unpleasant odor can affect your food’s taste and your health.

When should you deodorize a new refrigerator?

Therefore, after buying a new refrigerator, it is recommended to let it sit for 8-24 hours before use. During this time, you should clean and deodorize the refrigerator to eliminate the plastic smell before plugging it in.

2. How to remove the plastic smell from a new refrigerator

Clean the refrigerator with a damp cloth

Ingredients

• Warm water
• Baking soda
• Lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

Step 1 Soak a cloth in warm water and wipe down the entire interior of the refrigerator to remove dust and dirt.

Step 2 Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing warm water with baking soda and a few drops of lemon juice for a pleasant scent and better disinfection.

Step 3 Rinse the cloth and soak it in the prepared cleaning solution. Wipe down the refrigerator from the inside out using this cloth.

Step 4 Finally, rinse the cloth with warm water and give the refrigerator a final wipe to complete the process.

Cleaning the refrigerator with a damp cloth

Deodorize the refrigerator

Ingredients

• Clean cloth
• Specialized cleaning solution

Instructions

Step 1 Spray the specialized cleaning solution onto the interior surfaces of the refrigerator and wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth.

Step 2 Let the refrigerator sit for 8-24 hours in a well-ventilated area. Open the door for about 5 minutes every 2 hours to allow the plastic smell to dissipate before plugging it in.

Deodorizing the refrigerator

3. Tips to prevent odors in a new refrigerator

In addition to cleaning your new refrigerator, there are some measures you can take during use to prevent unpleasant odors. Let’s explore them below.

Use natural fragrances (lemon, citronella, and citrus peels)

You can use natural ingredients with pleasant scents and disinfectant properties, such as lemon, citronella, or peels of citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines.

• Lemon: Cut lemon into slices and place them in a bowl. Put the bowl near the cold air vents inside the refrigerator.
• Citronella: Crush and chop the citronella into small pieces. Place them in a small bowl and put it inside the refrigerator.
• Citrus peels: Place the peels anywhere inside the refrigerator to absorb odors and disinfect.

Using natural fragrances

Use familiar vinegar

Vinegar is also an effective odor neutralizer. Simply pour a moderate amount of vinegar into a small bowl or container and place it inside the refrigerator. This will help eliminate both the plastic smell and any unpleasant food odors.

Using familiar vinegar

Use coffee grounds or tea leaves

Instead of discarding used coffee grounds or tea leaves, place them in a small bowl and put it inside the refrigerator to effectively absorb the plastic odor.

Using coffee grounds or tea leaves

Use ginger

Ginger is another fragrant and antibacterial food that can be used to remove plastic odors from new refrigerators. Cut, slice, or grate the ginger and place it in a small container inside the refrigerator.

Using ginger

Store food in ziplock bags or airtight containers

To prevent the mixing of plastic and food odors, always store food in ziplock bags or airtight containers before placing them in the refrigerator. This also helps prevent the transfer of odors between different foods.

Storing food in ziplock bags or airtight containers

Proper food storage

Different types of food require different preparation methods before being stored in the refrigerator. For example, root vegetables only need to be brushed clean and placed in plastic bags, while leafy greens should have their wilted leaves removed and be wrapped in a thin layer of paper before refrigeration.

Proper food storage

We hope you found these tips on how to remove the plastic smell from a new refrigerator helpful. Feel free to share any other effective methods you may know in the comments below.