How To Eliminate Spoiled Food Odor From RV Refrigerator

Question:

Due to some circumstances beyond our control, we ended up having to leave our rv with the fridge full of food with no notice for 10 days. Naturally, when the rv battery died, the fridge warmed up. Bottom line, bunch of food, including a lb of hamburger in the main compartment and another lb in the freezer, spoiled and started rotting. Question becomes whether we are ever going to get the stench out. We’ve removed and cleaned the shelves and cleaned the interior surfaces, and it still stinks. Do we need to remove the fridge from the rv and/or remove interior panels to get to some filters or something? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

asked by: Troy S

Expert Reply:

I recommend to clean the inside of the Everchill Refrigerator for RVs part # 324-000119 with equal parts vinegar and soapy water. It is a good idea to take out all of the drawers and panels and clean them with vinegar and soapy water in the sink. After you have dried the inside of the fridge and all of it's pieces, leave an open container of baking soda in the fridge and the freezer for 48 hours to try to absorb the smell. The acidic vinegar breaks down the bacteria left behind from the rotting meat and absorbs the smells while the baking soda will help to neutralize the PH levels.

Another thing you can do to get rid of the smells that are lingering in the trailer is to boil vinegar on the stove and let it simmer to help dissipate some of the unpleasant smell in the kitchen.

You could also take a look at the Odor1 Arex 4000 Aerator Odor Eliminator System - 1 Tablet # DR26FR. This is a machine that is said to remove odor in 20-40 minutes. Take a look at the attached video.

expert reply by: Heather A