Why Your Samsung Refrigerator Smells & How to Clean It

Even if you wipe away spills and remove spoiled food, refrigerator odor has a way of persisting. Why does my Samsung refrigerator stink? Smelly bacteria remain behind even after the source of the odor is gone. Use these cleaning tips to banish odor and prevent its return when your Samsung refrigerator smells.

Attack Odor at The Source
When Your Samsung Refrigerator Smells

Effectively removing refrigerator odor requires an in-depth cleaning with the right supplies and techniques. The following step-by-step guide details the simple but effective methods that can dispel odor. But, first, knowing why your Samsung refrigerator smells can help prevent its return.

Why Does My Samsung Refrigerator Stink?

While a smelly refrigerator is often due to spills and spoiled food, other factors can be responsible for bad smells.

The following situations can also result in Samsung refrigerator odor:

• Food is improperly sealed: Open containers and food that isn’t sufficiently wrapped will cause persistent refrigerator odor. Food will also spoil faster, creating more unpleasant smells.
• Refrigerator is overstocked: Squeezing too many items in the refrigerator reduces the air circulation that can disperse bad smells. Items are also more likely to block air vents or open and spoil, making odors worse.
• Bacteria in the drain tray: Lingering food particles can find their way into the tray and develop smelly bacteria and mold, resulting in pervasive odor outside the refrigerator.
• Lack of regular cleanings: Letting more than 3 or 4 months go by without cleaning your refrigerator can enable mold growth and odor.

How to Clean a Samsung Refrigerator

When your Samsung refrigerator smells the only way to get rid of odor is with a thorough cleaning. This requires removing all food and using targeted cleaning methods both inside and outside the refrigerator.

Here’s how to clean a Samsung refrigerator interior:

1. Turn off power to the refrigerator.
2. Remove all food, disposing of items that are spoiled or insufficiently contained.
3. Wipe away visible stains and spills with a damp cloth.
4. Use a separate damp cloth to wipe down the rubber door seals.
5. Remove the interior drawers and shelves and wipe them down with a mixture of water and dish soap. Alternatively, use a solution of 1 quart hot water and 2 Tablespoons baking soda. Wipe down the walls of the refrigerator as well.
6. Dry the inside with a clean cloth and leave the doors open for at least 30 minutes to allow the refrigerator to air out.
7. Replace food and restore the refrigerator’s power.

Bacteria that collects in the refrigerator’s drain pan is a common reason your refrigerator smells bad outside. Follow these steps to clean the drain pan and eliminate exterior odor:

1. Turn off power to the refrigerator.
2. Move the refrigerator away from the wall.
3. Remove the refrigerator’s rear panel to access the drain pan.
4. Attach cleaning wipes to the end of a long, flexible cleaning brush.
5. Insert the brush into the opening to clean the drain pan, replacing the wipes as needed.
6. Replace the panel, reposition the refrigerator and restore power.

If odor persists and your refrigerator won’t cool properly, it’s possible the condenser coils need cleaning. When the coils get too dirty, the condenser has to work harder, sometimes creating a burning smell. Refer to your user manual to determine how to clean the coils on your model refrigerator.

Refrigerator Odor Prevention Tips

Once you’ve removed any bad smells, regular maintenance is key to keeping them away.

Use these odor prevention tips to keep bad smells at bay:

• Clean the interior regularly: Repeating the above cleaning steps every 3-4 months can prevent the development of smelly bacteria.
• Use an odor eliminator: Placing an odor eliminator in your fridge can help absorb bad smells. What’s the best refrigerator odor eliminator? An open container of baking soda is extremely effective. A pan of coffee grinds, active charcoal or crumpled newspapers can also absorb bad smells.
• Store food properly: Make sure containers are closed completely and airtight. Label and date food so you can prevent spoilage. Lastly, store fresh foods towards the front of the fridge so their easy visibility promotes use before they spoil.

If your Samsung refrigerator smells even after a thorough cleaning, a refrigerator repair service should assess the problem. Contact Appliance King of America for all your refrigeration needs!