It’s a common problem – you open up your refrigerator and are immediately hit with an unpleasant fishy odor. Not only is it unappetizing, but that lingering stench can make it difficult to find anything you want to eat.
If your fridge has taken on a fishy smell, don’t worry. In most cases, it’s an easy fix. Here’s why your refrigerator might smell like fish and some simple solutions to freshen it up fast.
Common Causes of Fishy Refrigerator Odors
There are a few common culprits that can cause your fridge to take on a fishy odor:
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Spoiled fish – This is the most obvious source of the smell Rotten or spoiled fish and seafood can create powerful odors that spread quickly in the confined space of a fridge Just one forgotten fish fillet or shrimp pack gone bad is enough,
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Improperly wrapped or stored seafood – Fish, shellfish, and other seafood need to be properly wrapped, sealed, or contained before refrigerating. Juices or drippings from unwrapped seafood can leak and transfer smells.
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Cross-contamination – Smells can spread easily in the fridge from one food to another One contaminated surface or shelf is all it takes for smells to transfer to produce, prepared meals, and more
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Spills and residue – Fish juices, oils, and leftovers left in the fridge can grow bacteria and decomposers that give off stenches.
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Lack of cleaning – When food spills and drips aren’t cleaned regularly, leftover organic matter feeds odor-causing bacterial growth.
Effective Ways to Remove Fish Smell from Fridge
If your refrigerator smells like fish, use these proven tips to freshen it up:
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Toss out old fish – Check expiration dates and get rid of any spoiled, rotten, or questionable seafood and fish stored in the fridge immediately. This removes the smell at the source.
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Clean with baking soda – Mix baking soda with warm water and wipe down all interior surfaces. Baking soda neutralizes odors naturally. Pay extra attention to shelves, bins, and drawers that stored fish.
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Sanitize with vinegar – Further sanitize the inside of the fridge by spraying white vinegar over all surfaces. The acidic vinegar kills bacteria and lingering odors. Let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping dry with a clean cloth.
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Remove shelves and drawers – Pull out removable shelves, bins, and drawers to clean them thoroughly by hand in the sink using hot soapy water. Allow to fully air dry before replacing in the fridge.
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Change fridge air filter – If your fridge has an air filter, change it out for a fresh one to help clean the circulated air.
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Activate charcoal filters – Place charcoal air purifying bags or boxes in the fridge to absorb foul odors. Change them out monthly.
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Clean door seals – Use a toothbrush and warm soapy water to scrub the door seals, as debris and smells can collect there.
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Check circulation vents – Ensure fridge ventilation systems or fans aren’t obstructed by stored food items blocking air flow.
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Empty fridge completely – For stubborn odors that linger after cleaning, completely empty the fridge and power it off for 24 hours. The reset allows odors to dissipate fully.
Tips to Keep the Fish Smell Away
Once you’ve tackled the fishy odor, keep it from coming back with these odor prevention tips:
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Store fish and seafood on the lowest shelves or drawers in sealed containers. This prevents any leaking juices from spreading.
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Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to double wrap fish fillets, especially if previously frozen. Prevent freezer burn smells.
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Separate different protein food groups on shelves with a barrier. Keep fish and meats away from dairy, produce, and ready-to-eat foods.
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Clean up spills immediately before they can dry and get stuck to surfaces.
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Wash shelves, bins, and drawers regularly with hot soapy water – at least once a month.
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Replace worn out door seals that may harbor smells in cracks and crevices.
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Let your nose guide you – if anything smells off, toss it out. Don’t take chances on spoiled food.
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Periodically deep clean the entire fridge interior using disinfectants to kill bacteria.
When to Call a Fridge Repair Service
In some cases, a persistent fishy or foul odor in your refrigerator could signal an underlying maintenance issue:
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If the smell returns quickly after cleaning, the source could be a broken component like an air filter, circulating fan, or duct system.
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A refrigerant leak in the sealed system can allow air exchange with the room, spreading food smells.
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A deteriorating door gasket that doesn’t seal properly will also permit odor transfer.
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An overloaded fridge with limited air circulation will lead to problematic odor build-up.
Consult a refrigerator repair technician if you can’t eliminate odors through cleaning and the fridge isn’t cooling properly. They can pinpoint and fix any issues with parts or circulation.
Enjoy an Odor-Free Fridge
Having to deal with constantly smelly, fishy refrigerators is no fun. But in most cases, it’s easy to remove the stench and keep it from coming back. With vigilant cleaning habits and food storage practices, say goodbye to foul odors for good!
It Smells Like Gas!
This one is the second most common on our list. Luckily, the most common cause is something bad getting stuck in Styrofoam and then the takeout box releasing its smell. As always, a good scrubbing of your fridge is the first step in getting rid of strange smells. If youve already covered that step, though, this can also be caused by certain refrigerant leaks. Freon typically smells different from gas, but other refrigerants are used. Leaks in the refrigerant can be hard to fix, even for a technician. If the smell is still there after you clean your fridge, it’s best to call in the experts.
Some of the common smells for your refrigerator:
Dead Animals or Rotting Meat
If your refrigerator smells like any of these things, it is a cry for immediate attention. If it really smells like chemicals, you need to fix it right away so that your food doesn’t get contaminated. No one wants to get sick due to a broken fridge. For your safety, please get your fridge checked out right away if it smells like chemicals even though you haven’t used strong chemicals to clean it. You can skip to the bottom by clicking (Here) to call a technician.
How to Get Fish Smell Out of Your Fridge in Simple Steps
Why does my fridge smell like fish?
Rotten food can release gases like trimethylamine, which is responsible for the fishy odor. When stored improperly or left for too long, fish and other seafood can spoil quickly, resulting in an unpleasant smell that can spread throughout the fridge. To address this issue, start by checking for any expired or rotten food items.
Why does my freezer smell like fish?
It’s also important to clean the freezer too, because the fridge and freezer share the same air, meaning the fish smell could have invaded the freezer too. To preserve the food while you work, you can: Throw out tainted or rotten food.
What should I do if my fridge smells like fish?
Smell every morsel of food in the fridge to check for fish smell as well. Items that weren’t sealed and stored properly could have picked up the odor. Throw out anything that smells like fish. Our Expert Agrees: Completely empty the fridge of all food. Throw away what you don’t need, and see if you can identify the source of the smell.
How do you remove fish smell from a fridge shelf?
Clean the shelf. Thoroughly clean the shelf using hot soapy water in your sink, and then dry it. While cleaning the shelf, leave the fridge door open to help dissipate the fish smell. Put the shelf back into the fridge. After cleaning and drying the shelf, put it back into the fridge.