Not Baking Soda: Get A Fresh-Smelling Fridge With An Easy Solution From Amazon

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Refrigerators can easily start to develop a strong smell. The mix of stale air and potent odors makes for an assault on your nose every time you open the door. Even if the fragrances aren't particularly unpleasant, no one wants to deal with a potent scent every time they open the fridge to get a little snack. Instead of just dealing with this problem, you need to find a more permanent solution. If you want something that works and doesn't require constant upkeep or replacement, Amazon has just the thing — the Purriko Refrigerator Deodorizer.

It costs about $25. Initially, this might seem a bit pricey for something meant to remove smells from your fridge. However, thanks to its advanced technology that helps eliminate odors, it can be worthwhile, considering it's a product meant to last 10 years without requiring replacement parts. All you have to do is put it in your fridge, and it will start working right away without any extra steps from you.

You can banish unpleasant fridge odors with an all-natural ingredient — lemon — or items like baking soda. However, these require regular upkeep and replacement for them to actually prevent any smells from building up. If you're looking for something that doesn't constantly need to be refreshed or can make a mess in your fridge, you may want to use something a little more heavy-duty. This passive refrigerator deodorizer on Amazon could be just what you need. 

The refrigerator deodorizer seems to work as intended. One five-star review on Amazon said that, "After several weeks (and even after a power outage incident), my fridge and freezer stay odor-free and food tastes fresher. Eco-friendly, effective, and truly set-it-and-forget-it. Highly recommend — worth every penny!" Other reviewers have tested it with foods known for their strong odors, including kimchi, garlic, and shrimp. Others said that it stopped the smells completely. People who have used it warn that it's not an instant fix, but within a couple of hours, most notice a difference. For stronger smells, sometimes it took until the next day.

However, there is some worry that it may not work as long as promised. "I purchased this item because of its sleek look and the claim that it would last up to 10 years. It worked great during the first year and effectively controlled odors in my fridge. However, this morning when I opened the fridge, it smelled as if all the odors from the past year had suddenly returned at once," said a one-star reviewer on Amazon. Other negative reviews, though minimal, mention that the product stops working well before the 10-year mark. Other people simply don't notice any changes. A few reviews mentioned that the product may actually make your ingredients taste weird and your fridge smell worse with scents like freezer burn or old food.

The biggest concerns with this Purriko fridge deodorizer are that it doesn't last a long time or struggles with stronger smells. Thankfully, you can help it work a bit better by taking care of your fridge. For one, check to see if yours has a filter in it. They don't all come with one, but if it does, the refrigerator air filter should be replaced every six months or so.

You also want to go through and clean out the shelves. There are several reasons why your fridge may have rancid odors, including spills, excess moisture, and a lack of regular cleaning. Make sure everything is fresh and you don't have a forgotten vegetable or leftover container hidden somewhere in the back. Take out anything questionable or obviously bad, as they may be causing your deodorizer to struggle.

If you've had a spill recently or are dealing with strong odors, you may also want to consider wiping down your fridge. An equal ratio of water and vinegar can reduce smells and fight mildew. You may want to take out the deodorizer until the cleaner's strong odor leaves your fridge, though. If you keep noticing a musty scent even with the deodorizer, after being recently wiped down, and with only fresh items inside, it may be time to check the refrigerator thoroughly. This could be a sign of mold or mildew around places like seams and vents.