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Why Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Smells Bad & How to Clean It
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whirlpool refrigerator smells bad

There are quite a few potential reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator smells terrible. Maybe your food is rotting and causing an unpleasant odor or something in the coils that must be removed. No matter what the cause, it’s essential to clean your refrigerator regularly to prevent bacteria from growing and make your kitchen smell nice and fresh again! We’ll go over why your Whirlpool fridge smells bad and how to clean it quickly and easily!

What to do if Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Smells Bad

No one enjoys a smelly fridge, so whether you haven’t cleaned it in a while, or if your fridge smells bad even after cleaning, we’ll walk you through how to get rid of the stink!

Why Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Stinks

Before we get into how to clean your fridge, let’s first discuss some of the reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator smells bad in the first place.

Food: One of the most common reasons for a smelly fridge is expired food stored inside. If you have any old or expired food in your fridge, it can cause the entire appliance to stink!

Spills: Another common cause of a bad-smelling fridge is spills that haven’t been cleaned up properly. Even if you think you’ve wiped up a spill completely, there may still be some residue left behind that’s starting to rot and cause an odor.

Humidity: If there’s too much moisture in the air, it can cause mold and mildew to grow, which will make your fridge stink. To combat this, you can try using a dehumidifier in your kitchen or open the windows to let some fresh air in.

Dirt and Dust: Just like any other appliance in your home, your fridge can start to smell bad if it’s not kept clean. Dust and dirt can build up on the shelves and in the coils, which can make it, so your Whirlpool fridge smells when running. Be sure to clean your fridge regularly with a mild soap and water solution.

fridge stinks

How to Clean a Whirlpool Refrigerator

If your Whirlpool refrigerator is starting to smell bad, there are a few things you can do to clean it and get rid of the stink!

Empty your fridge: The first step is to empty out your fridge completely. This will give you a chance to clean all of the shelves and drawers, as well as any spills or stains that may be present.

Wash the shelves and drawers: Once your fridge is empty, you can remove the shelves and drawers to wash them with soap and water. Be sure to dry them completely before putting them back in the fridge.

Clean the inside of the fridge: The next step is to clean the inside of the fridge with a mild soap and water solution. Be sure to reach all of the nooks and crannies, as well as any spills or stains that may be present.

Clean the drip tray and drain tube: The drip tray and drain tube are located under the fridge. These can become clogged with dirt and dust, which can cause an odor. To clean them, simply remove them and wash them with soap and water.

Clean the outside of the fridge: The last step is to clean the outside of your fridge. This includes the door, handle, coils, and any other areas that may be dirty. Be sure to use a mild soap and water solution to avoid damaging the finish.

Fridge smells bad even after cleaning

How to Avoid Refrigerator Odors

The best way to avoid refrigerator odors is to clean your fridge regularly. Be sure to empty it out and wash all of the shelves and drawers on a regular basis.

Replace the air filter: Another way to avoid fridge odors is to replace the air filter. The air filter helps to circulate the air and keep the fridge smelling fresh.

Use baking soda: Baking soda works as a natural Whirlpool refrigerator deodorizer, so you can place a box of baking soda in your fridge to help absorb any bad smells.

Clean up spills immediately: Another common cause of bad smells is spills that haven’t been cleaned up properly. Be sure to clean up any spills that occur as soon as possible.

We hope this showed you why your Whirlpool refrigerator smells bad, and that you have successfully found and solved the problem! If the problem lies with your ice maker, make sure to check out our blog on refrigerator ice maker issues. For other fridge issues, the refrigerator repair service team at Moore is always ready to help!

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