If you’re an avid RVer, then you’ve likely forgotten to unpack a time or two… and ended up with a horrible smell in your RV fridge that’s a pain in the butt to deodorize!
Luckily, there are a few simple solutions (DIY and purchasable) that can help eliminate unwanted smells from your RV fridge. Let’s start with the easiest/cheapest solutions first, then move on to the more *aggressive* RV fridge cleaning solutions!
Here are the methods we will go over to tackle that RV fridge odor!
- Deep clean + Air Out – I’m talking removing the shelves type clean
- Vinegar Wipe Down – Simple and cheap
- Baking Soda – A classic cleaning solution
- Unscented Cat Litter – Easy passive option
- Crumpled Newspaper – Great for absorbing minor smells
- Coffee Grounds – Bonus if you like the smell of coffee 😛
- Vanilla – Great for absorbing nasty, strong smells
- Peppermint Oil – A fresh wipedown
- Charcoal – Classic go to odor remover
- Non DIY – If nothing else works… then consider buying a solution
Also, if you just happen to be in the mood to deep clean your RV, make sure you check out these spots most people miss cleaning in their camper (and print out the checklist!)
Table of Contents
Do a Deep Clean and Air Out
The first and most obvious solution is to clean your RV fridge thoroughly. Empty the fridge completely and remove any removable shelves, drawers, and other parts. Wash everything in warm, soapy water and rinse it well (Dawn is great for this)
If you have atleast a couple of days to clean it, I found leaving the RV fridge doors open, with the AC on and windows open, really helped circulate the gross air out.
Crumpled Newspaper
While it won’t work right away, it does seem to be effective after a couple of days. I love this as the first step to tackling a RV fridge odor problem as it’s free and often found around the house. This is also a great way to control excess moisture that is common with RV fridges.
Vinegar Wipe Down
Vinegar is another cheap and effective way to eliminate fridge odors. Simply soak a sponge or cloth in white vinegar and wipe down the interior of the fridge. Leave the fridge open for a few hours to let the vinegar evaporate.
Baking Soda Bins
Baking soda is a *great* odor absorber. You can either wipe everything down with some baking soda water or take the more passive approach and simply leave an open bin of baking soda in the fridge. For a more intense baking soda clean, you can make a paste of it and leave it on your fridge walls overnight.
Once I got all the nasties of the food rot removed, I opted for the passive route and just dumped a layer of baking soda into a box I had laying around and left it in the RV fridge for a couple of days. The more surface area of baking soda you can get, the better!
Unscented Cat Litter
Cat litter was designed to absorb pee/poo smells, so it makes sense that it could be a helpful solution to combat rotten food smells! I would recommend unscented just so you don’t get stuck with a fridge that gets “stained” with the fakey artificial smells litters tend to have by leaving it closed up in the fridge.
Fresh Coffee Grounds ( My *favorite* method!)
Coffee absorbs AND puts out smell… so I would recommend to not try this method if you don’t like the smell of coffee. Pre Brew/Post Brew grounds don’t seem to make a difference in their potency, so I found it easiest to just empty the days coffee into a litle bowl and set it in the fridge.
I honestly found this one of the most effective methods, and it’s perfect because I’m able to reuse something (and spend no money!)
Vanilla Cotton Ball
Vanilla is an excellent natural deodorizer with a pleasant scent. Simply place a few drops of vanilla extract on a cotton ball and leave it in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you can put a small bowl of vanilla extract on a shelf in the fridge. This will help to eliminate any unwanted smells.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another natural deodorizer with a refreshing scent. Simply mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spray the interior of the fridge. The oil will help to eliminate any unwanted smells, leaving the fridge smelling clean and fresh.
Charcoal Briquettes
There are plenty of handy, convenient charcoal deodorizing things on Amazon (such as this), but did you know the charcoal briquets you use to grill can be used the same way? It’s WAY cheaper, and charcoal is a well known odor absorber… so you’re bound to see results with this one!
Lay out a layer on a baking sheet and leave it in the fridge for 48 hours for the best results.
FAQ About RV Fridge Smells
Most people know the smell of rotten food, but there are other issues that can cause smells to happen in your camper’s refrigerator as well.
I have scrubbed EVERYWHERE – where else could smells be hiding in my camper’s refrigerator?
There are a couple of spots in the fridge that take some time to get to… but they may also be where the smells are hiding! Drips pans, evaporator coils and rubber seals can all harbor mold/food drippings, so be sure to check those if nothing else is working.
My fridge smells more like pee or ammonia than rot… what does that mean?
Unfortunately that means you may have a leak in your RV refrigerator system. While not many household fridges use ammonia anymore, it’s very common in the camper world.
If you even suspect you have a leak, you should keep the door closed and avoid all contact with it. You can order ammonia tests like these to make double sure you’re hunch is right. Here is more helpful information on how to handle an ammonia leak in your camper (and how to get rid of the smell!)
Related – These RV Fridges are great options if you find yourself wanting to start over instead of dealing with the problems/smells.
Did any of these methods help you get the smell of of your RV fridge?
Getting rid of unwanted smells from your RV fridge doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With a little bit of effort and natural solutions, you can easily eliminate any lingering odors. Remember to keep your fridge clean and use natural deodorizers, such as vinegar, coffee grounds, vanilla, or peppermint oil. Lastly, don’t forget to replace the baking soda in your fridge every three months. With these simple tips, you can enjoy fresh and delicious food on your next camping trip.
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