You should start by unplugging the refrigerator. Next, pull out any shelves or drawers that can be removed, and give them a soapy bath in the kitchen sink. Before you put those fixtures back in, clean every surface inside the refrigerator with a mix of warm water and baking soda. (You’ll find different “recipes” online, but try two tablespoons for every gallon of water.) Remember to get into the nooks and crannies; ie. the shelf supports.

After you have cleaned, you’ll need to wipe everything down with a dry cloth and let the refrigerator air-dry.

The fridge still might smell funny even after it has been cleaned, so it’s a good idea to place an odor absorber in the appliance for a week or so. Everybody has their own favorite solution. Baking soda is probably the most popular, but others swear by charcoal briquettes, coffee grounds and wadded up newspaper. If you really want the fridge to smell great, you can wet a cotton ball with lemon juice or vanilla extract and leave it in the refrigerator for several days.

-As found in the Community Investor March/April 2015 publication-