Coffee grounds, charcoal best for refrigerator odor

by Leah Leach
Victoria (TX) Advocate

If you still can't get the smell of spoiled food out of your refrigerator or freezer after Hurricane Claudette pulled the plug July 15, an expert with the County Extension Office in Victoria has some suggestions.

Assuming the food's been tossed out and the appliance has been thoroughly cleaned, coffee grounds or charcoal are the best bets for absorbing residual odors, said Maggie Jover, county agent for family and consumer sciences, Thursday.

Many have tried baking soda or newspapers, both of which do absorb smells. But, "sometimes when you have rotted food, the smell is more powerful than baking soda can absorb," said Jover, who added, "Newspaper is good but it won't absorb odors as well as coffee grounds or charcoal."

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