Keep the Refrigerator Smelling Fresh the Simple Way

Fridge odor isn't mysterious — it's old spills and strong foods sharing air in a sealed box. The fix is a system, not a spray.

The system

• Keep an open box of baking soda on a middle shelf. Write the date on it and replace it every three months — it stops absorbing once it's spent.
• Wipe spills when they happen, not at the monthly cleanout. Five seconds now beats a archaeological dig later.
• Store leftovers in sealed containers, and keep strong foods (onions, takeout) on the same shelf so the smell stays in one neighborhood.
• Once a quarter, pull the drawers and wash them in the sink with dish soap.

If an odor survives all that, check the drip pan under the fridge — it's the one place nobody cleans and everything collects.