How to remove garlic smell from refrigerator/ice maker
Is there a certain cleaner or chemical that will remove a lingering garlic odor from an ice maker or other food processing equipment?
About a month ago, my wife and I noticed that the ice from our fridge had a slight garlic smell and taste. On inspection, I noticed a jar of minced garlic that wasn't completely closed in the door right under the ice maker (The ice maker is in the fridge, and has a rubber seal to the door where the ice comes out like this.)
I removed the garlic, dumped the ice, and soaked the removable ice tray/conveyer mechanism in hot soapy water. The first few batches of ice were better, but now the smell and taste are back.
Right now we simply can't use the ice maker. Is there a trick to garlic smell?
Also, the garlic issue with the ice maker was from garlic fumes only. The jar did not spill, and there was never any direct contact between the garlic and the fridge.
Best Answer
Basically you need to turn it off, remove everything from it and then thoroughly clean it using a solution of warm water and baking soda.
Baking soda will help remove/absorb any odors that have leeched into the fabric of the fridge.
Once that is done and it has completely dried, you can restock the fridge, examining carefully anything you are putting back in for cracks, leaks or spillage that might have caused the bad smell.
Note that it is more likely that any smell is coming from something spoiled or spilled in the fridge rather than the fridge itself as refrigerators are made out of materials that are designed to NOT absorb bad smells.
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Quick Answer about "How to remove garlic smell from refrigerator/ice maker"
Wipe down all the surfaces of the ice cube maker with the lemon half. A toothbrush can help you get to hard-to-reach places. Squeeze a little lemon juice on the bristles and dab them into the baking soda plate and scrub.How do you get the smell out of a refrigerator ice maker?
Turn off the icemaker. Empty the ice cube bin and dispose of the ice cubes. Wash the bin with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of water to remove any odors on its surface. Rinse with clear water and dry the bin completely before placing it back in the freezer.Why does my fridge ice smell like garlic?
The issue is that the ice has absorbed the smell of onions that is in your refrigerator. Your may also notice this as a garlic odor in your freezer or in the ice that tastes like garlic. It will not only absorb the odors so they will not transfer to your ice, it actually makes the ice taste better.How do I get the smell out of my ice maker freezer?
If your refrigerator ice maker produces ice that tastes bad, one of the first things you should check is the water filter. This filter is responsible for purifying the water that makes clean, fresh ice cubes. If it's dirty, then your ice will be dirty and taste a little less than stellar.More answers regarding how to remove garlic smell from refrigerator/ice maker
Answer 2
Buy an activated charcoal filter. They make some specifically for the fridge (search on Amazon):
Fridge-It Naturally Activated Charcoal Odor Absorber - $6
And ones that you can use anywhere (and they last up to two years):
Mini Moso Natural Air Purifying Bags - $10
To me, at least, it seems like the old baking soda in the fridge thing doesn't work; but activated charcoal clears up everything, even stale cigarette smoke.
Answer 3
Have you tried baking soda? It will absorb odors in your refrigerator. Often, people leave a box in the fridge all the time (though it needs to be changed every few months to stay effective). Some manufacturers (such as Arm & Hammer) even package it in boxes that have a whole side that opens, exposing a coffee filter like material to help expose more surface for absorption.
Answer 4
Old fashion method-put a piece of coal on the fridge shelf. The coal absorb the garlic's smell.
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