The 5 Best Refrigerator Odor Eliminators of 2024
Updated: Mar. 24, 2024
Discover the best refrigerator odor eliminators to remove those funky smells in your fridge.
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On any given day, fridges are filled with all kinds of things, including some questionable smells, which is why we searched for the best refrigerator odor eliminator options on the market to fight the funk.
Regardless of how often you clean your refrigerator or how well you keep it organized, smells are inevitable. We’ve all experienced it. Some smells are worse than others and require a little more TLC, but there are many incredibly easy ways to fight everyday food odors. At the top of the list is adding an odor eliminator to your fridge and freezer to keep them smelling fresh and clean.
What to Look for When Buying Fridge Odor Eliminators
Choosing the best refrigerator odor eliminator will depend on how prevalent the scent is that you’re trying to say goodbye to. Consider how strong the smell is and how quickly you need it to be removed, the size of your fridge, how much room you have for an odor eliminator and how often you want to be responsible for remembering to tend to it.
It’s also important to remember that odor eliminators typically neutralize odors instead of masking or replacing them with a more pleasing scent. Once you’ve gotten rid of those stinky fridge smells, make it smell better with vanilla extract or coffee grounds.
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Best Overall
Homike Refrigerator Deodorizer
This refrigerator deodorizer is your best choice if you want to check an odor eliminator off your list—and forget about it for a long while. This splurge-worthy solution provides up to 10 years of protection against your fridge’s most foul smells without power supply or need for replacements. Just like your favorite Crockpot recipes, you can set it and forget it.
“I’ve had this product for almost a year now and it’s incredible how well this works. I haven’t had any fridge odors at all,” writes Amazon reviewer, Brandon S. “This product is nothing short of a magic trick. I swear, all refrigerators should come equipped with this already in it.”
Pros
- Provides up to 10 years of odor protection
- No need to be charged or replaced
- Stylish, compact and matches stainless steel fridges
Cons
- On the expensive side
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Best Value
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Fridge-n-Freezer Odor Absorber
You know the saying, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” That’s why the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Fridge-n-Freezer odor absorber is one of our best refrigerator odor eliminator picks. Besides the unbeatable price, part of the reason it’s such a popular choice is because it’s super simple to use. Grab a box at the grocery store, pop an open box in the fridge and replace it every 30 days or so. Try putting a date on the box when you put it in your refrigerator and a reoccurring reminder on your phone, so you know when it’s time to be replaced. To help prevent future smells, try using glass containers for food storage and always check that they’re properly sealed.
Pros
- Pack of 12 makes each box around $2
- Tried and true solution since the early 1970s
- Naturally absorb odors
Cons
- Needs to be replaced every 30 days
- Not as effective on super stinky refrigerators
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Best Novelty
Chill Bill Refrigerator Deodorizer
If you like to have a little fun with your chores, the Chill Bill refrigerator deodorizer is the option for you! This adorable penguin is actually a functional little decoration that stores baking soda and lives in the fridge or freezer, where it fights off funky odors and moisture. Once Chill Bill is filled with baking soda, he is small enough to fit just about anywhere in your refrigerator. He needs to be refilled with fresh baking soda every few weeks because of his size. For another novelty idea, take a peek at the Chilly Mama fridge odor absorber. Oh, and if you’re looking for more handy accessories, Bluapple is a cute fridge addition that’ll keep your fruits and veggies fresher for longer.
Pros
- Has a cute penguin design
- Easy to clean and compact
- Simply needs to be filled with baking soda
Cons
- Doesn’t hold much baking soda
- Baking soda needs to be replaced every few weeks
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Best Multi-Use
Fridge Ninja
The super slim design of the Fridge Ninja gives you so many options for where to place. Utilizing activated charcoal, the square-shaped product traps and absorbs bad odors that circulate in the refrigerator. In addition to being able to use them in other stinky food spots, like freezers, lunch boxes and coolers, these deodorizers can be reused for an entire year. Simply place the entire Fridge Ninja in direct sunlight every month to “recharge” the natural odor-fighting ingredients.
Pros
- Can be used in freezers, lunch boxes, etc.
- Flat, slim and easy to put anywhere
- Reusable for up to a year
Cons
- Need to place in sunlight to “recharge”
- Bright yellow packaging
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Best Fast-Acting
NonScents Refrigerator Deodorizer
For scents that need to be stopped ASAP, the NonScents refrigerator deodorizer begins working within hours. With nearly 5,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, buyers are enamored with how fast and effective this best refrigerator odor eliminator is.
“This product is amazing,” shared Amazon reviewer, Kristina D. “It cleared the rotten food smell from our refrigerator quickly and completely.” NonScents’ fragrance-free deodorizers last up to six months before needing to be replaced.
Pros
- Works within hours
- Up to six months of odor protection
- Compact, easy to use and in a neutral color
Cons
- Can’t be recharged like other organic charcoal products
How We Chose the Best Refrigerator Odor Eliminators
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Does baking soda eliminate refrigerator odors?
Yes, baking soda eliminates refrigerator odors by absorbing smells and neutralizing the air. This natural odor eliminator has been used in refrigerators since the early 1970s. Although baking soda is a simple and reliable odor neutralizer, it’s important to remember that it’s best for mild to moderate smells. Baking soda will struggle to absorb the smell of particularly pungent foods. To maximize baking soda’s odor-fighting effectiveness, give it as much exposed surface space as possible. Some boxes of baking soda are specifically designed for the fridge and freezer with large cut-outs that expose more baking soda than a traditional box, without any spills.
How do you prevent refrigerator odor?
One of the best ways to avoid refrigerator odor is to prevent it before it starts. Here’s how you can prevent a smelly fridge:
- Use airtight containers to store food.
- Spills happen. Clean them up as soon as you can to avoid odors.
- Clean your fridge out regularly and remove any old or expired foods. Don’t forget to label and date leftovers.
- Check and clean the freezer, too. It can also hide bad smells.
- Organize the food in your refrigerator so food stays fresher longer and odors stay away.
- Keep a deodorizer in the fridge.
- Deep-clean the interior of your fridge every couple of months.
Originally Published: January 24, 2023
