How to quickly eliminate the smell of rotten fish in the refrigerator?

Modern life cannot be imagined without a refrigerator - an assistant in the storage of fresh food and perishable dishes. But, if an unpleasant smell from protein products (meat, fish) appears in it, you can completely lose your appetite. A persistent, foul-smelling fishy "aroma" is a direct indicator that consumption of food stored in the refrigerator may cause intestinal infection. Simple and proven tips on how to quickly remove the unpleasant smell of fish from the refrigerator will help prevent a dangerous situation.

Causes of the problem

Any, even the most durable plastic, from which the parts of the refrigerator are made, suffers from the effects of the environment. Daily contact with packaging materials and utensils over time leads to a violation of the integrity of the working surfaces. Such miniature cracks become a place for the accumulation and reproduction of pathogenic agents. Surface cleaning cannot eliminate all germs. The growth of pathogenic microorganisms in the refrigerator causes specific unpleasant "odors" to arise.

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A typical reason why it can stink of fish in the refrigerator is non-compliance with the conditions and shelf life of the product. Often, content revision and sanitary cleaning of refrigeration equipment is not done frequently enough. To keep the equipment clean, to prevent the appearance of old stains of dirt and unbearable stench, you need to perform washing, cleaning and disinfecting procedures at least once a month.

It is very important to carry out an inventory of products and ready meals daily, in a timely manner to get rid of unusable ones. After all, removing the smell of rotten protein is much more difficult than preventing the appearance of a fetid "aroma". Elimination of an unpleasant odor in the refrigerator is a necessary procedure, because its appearance indicates the appearance of microbes dangerous to health.

Best options for neutralizing fish odor

How to effortlessly get rid of the foul smell of fish in the refrigerator without wasting money? In the arsenal of every family there are a number of tools that can solve and prevent this problem.

Many housewives use orange and lemon in the fight for a fresh scent. Citrus crops contain active ingredients that can neutralize even the most persistent odors. Having purchased a factory juice or made your own citrus juice, you must dilute it with warm water in a 2: 1 ratio. With the resulting liquid, wipe all the inner surfaces of the previously washed refrigerator.

Another way is to set up a "trap" for odors. To do this, you need to decompose the freshly removed citrus fruit peels into small plastic containers. Instead, you can put slices of lemon, orange, grapefruit on saucers. A new portion should be renewed after a couple of days. An important quality of citrus fruits is not only the ability to eliminate odors, but also the ability to suppress the vital activity of microbes.

Works like an absorbent sponge, lightly cooked rice. A plastic cup with 100 gr. Should be placed on each shelf. grains. An even greater fragrance will appear in the refrigerator after adding sliced ​​apples to the rice. The composition is valid for 3 days, after which the homemade odor absorber should be renewed.

After washing the refrigerator, when the appliance is disconnected from the power supply, you can put a cup of freshly made natural brewed coffee on the shelf. Of course, this cannot be done with a working refrigerator. But you can place a container with 50 grams in it. (2-3 st. spoons) freshly ground grains. The coffee aroma removes repulsive odors very quickly.

Soda

The popular product, baking soda, can also remove the fish smell from the refrigerator. It can also easily remove stubborn, dried drops of liquids, oily stains. Soda also has antiseptic properties. The deodorization procedure is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. Prepare a cleaning compound. Add 3 tbsp. To a glass of warm water. l. baking soda.
2. Stir until completely dissolved.
3. Apply the resulting mixture with a foam sponge to all shelves.
4. Leave to act for 30 minutes.
5. Rinse the surfaces with clean water.
6. Wipe dry using soft tissues.

We must not forget that the cleaning process is carried out only after turning off the power supply to the device.

Hydrogen peroxide

You can get rid of the fishy smell in the refrigerator by purchasing an affordable product at the pharmacy - hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide solution is a powerful antiseptic and disinfectant. When the composition is applied, active oxygen is released, which cleans the surface of microbes and decomposes organic substances.

The disinfection procedure must be carried out with gloves. Such a protective effect is necessary, since with individual sensitivity to the components of the drug, the development of local allergic reactions is possible. Moisten a dry cloth with plenty of solution. Wipe all shelves of the refrigeration unit thoroughly. The product does not require subsequent rinsing.

Activated carbon

You can remove the fishy smell with inexpensive sorbents. This will require a pack (10 tablets) of activated carbon. This pharmaceutical product has a high surface activity and high sorption capacity.

Charcoal tablets should be crushed to a powdery state. Pour the grains into three small saucers (according to the number of shelves) and place in the refrigerator. Replace after one week. Instead of a pharmaceutical preparation, you can use charcoal.

Vinegar

Acetic acid will help remove the smell of rotten fish from the refrigerator. In addition to eliminating the stench, table vinegar is often used for disinfection. 70% vinegar essence is a popular eco-cleaning product. The procedure should be carried out with gloves and a respirator to prevent the ingestion of strong substances on the skin and in the respiratory tract.

After diluting 1/4 cup 9% vinegar in two cups of water, wipe the inside and outside of the refrigeration equipment. Rinse off the remaining liquid with warm water.

To neutralize the pathogenic microorganisms responsible for the formation of a fetid odor of fish, you need to place liter glass containers filled with vinegar in the refrigerator for 2 hours. However, such an event will bring a temporary effect, and the procedure will need to be repeated over time.

Ammonia

Liquid ammonia (ammonia) is a very powerful agent that helps eliminate any stubborn odors. An aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide is available at any pharmacy. After applying ammonia on a sponge, you should quickly wipe all refrigerator shelves. Leave to act for 15 minutes. Then rinse off with plenty of clean water.

However, the use of this substance in the home requires strict adherence to precautionary measures. The kitchen window must be wide open. Work only with durable rubber gloves. Cover face with protective respirator. It should be remembered that inhalation of ammonia vapors can cause reflex respiratory arrest.

Household chemicals

There are many chemicals on the market that can help eliminate stench and kill harmful microorganisms. Most manufacturers indicate step by step in their instructions how to remove fish smell from the refrigerator. However, the sequence of application should be as follows: direct cleaning and further protection (absorption of unpleasant odors).

The first way is to wash the refrigerator with cleaning agents. A good product is the antibacterial Tortilla refrigerator cleaner. A proven and reliable product - Electrolux refrigerator cleaning spray, which greatly facilitates the work of the hostess. It effectively cleans the shelves, inner and outer surfaces of the refrigerator from grease and dirt. The composition easily destroys mold and bacteria, prevents the formation of unpleasant odors.

The second way is to use odor absorbers. An inexpensive tool - a product of the Sky trademark. The economical odor absorber reliably fights against the harsh aroma of fish and the disgusting "smell" of spoiled food. The product is safe for human health and harmless to products stored in the equipment.

Prevention Tips

In order to prevent the refrigerator from becoming unsanitary and to avoid the appearance of a repulsive odor, two basic rules must be followed:

• regularly carry out cleaning and disinfection measures;
• strictly observe the terms and conditions of storage of products and dishes.

It must be remembered that fish in any form - fresh, dried, smoked, as well as products made from it, are perishable products. The relatively short shelf life of fish products is due to the high content of microorganisms in them. Storing fish products at low temperatures slows down the activity of pathogenic bacteria somewhat.

Most household refrigerators are set to operate in the +3 to + 5 ° C range. This cannot provide a long shelf life for fresh fish requiring storage in the -2 ° to 0 ° C temperature range. For this reason, fresh fish products can be kept in conventional refrigerated compartments for no more than a day.

In the "zero" compartment (Bio Fresh), the cut fish, packed in plastic wrap, will stay fresh a little longer - up to two days. To prevent spoilage of the product, you can use a simple method. Fill a suitable food container with ice cubes. Place the carcass there, cut into portions, wrapping each one in plastic. The container is hermetically closed with foil, creating a cooling thermos. Every 12 hours, the container must be placed in the freezer compartment for 30 minutes in order for the ice to freeze again. Thus, the shelf life of fresh fish can be extended up to three days.

Dried foods feel quite comfortable in household refrigerators. By placing them in the zero zone, they will remain usable for several months. However, it is dried fish that often becomes the source of the unpleasant odor. Therefore, it is necessary to pack it carefully. For these purposes, do not use plastic bags or film (the fish will "suffocate"). For packaging, it is better to take thick wrapping paper. Each carcass must be wrapped in three layers. Fold the food into a cloth bag (paper bag) and tie it tightly.

Improper storage of smoked fish will lead not only to spoilage of the product, but also to the appearance of a persistent fetid odor in the refrigerator. To avoid such a surprise, remember: smoked products should be stored separately (on different shelves). The whole carcass must be wrapped in two or three layers of paper. The maximum shelf life for hot and cold smoked products at temperatures up to + 3 ° C is no more than ten days from the date of production.