Keeping a clean and fresh-smelling kitchen can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle, especially when it comes to those stubborn, lingering odors that tend to accumulate in the fridge. Unpleasant smells in the refrigerator can build up over time, even if you’re regularly cleaning it and monitoring the freshness of the food inside. Surprisingly, there’s an easy and affordable trick that may sound unusual but works wonders: placing a roll of toilet paper in the fridge. Yes, you read that right! A simple roll of toilet paper can absorb unwanted odors and help maintain a cleaner, fresher-smelling refrigerator.
Why Does the Fridge Get Smelly?
It’s natural for refrigerators to harbor some strange odors every now and then. Even with good food storage practices, it can be challenging to keep all smells under control. Sometimes, the problem goes beyond the food itself—there’s often an underlying issue with moisture buildup. Excess moisture in the fridge creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mold growth, which are major sources of foul odors. Unfortunately, these microscopic troublemakers are quick to produce smells that permeate the fridge, making it difficult to pinpoint the source.
How Toilet Paper Helps Absorb Odors
Toilet paper might seem like an odd choice for deodorizing, but it works for a simple reason: it’s incredibly absorbent. Designed to soak up moisture quickly, toilet paper can act as a sponge for the excess humidity and odor particles that are lingering inside the fridge. When you place a roll of toilet paper on a shelf in your fridge, it gradually absorbs the moisture in the air, helping to reduce the environment that allows bacteria and mold to thrive. By drawing out moisture, the toilet paper also takes in the unpleasant smells associated with it, ultimately helping the fridge smell fresher.
Getting Started: How to Use Toilet Paper in the Fridge
If you’re ready to give this trick a try, here’s how to get started:
- Choose a Fresh Roll: Start with a fresh, unused roll of toilet paper. This is important because you want it to have maximum absorbent power to be effective in removing odors.
- Place it Strategically: Find a spot in the fridge where the roll won’t be in the way. Placing it on a shelf near the back, where it’s not likely to get wet from spills, is often ideal. Some people like to put it in the door compartment, but any spot where it can absorb moisture without getting damp from food will work.
- Monitor and Replace: After a week or two, check the roll to see if it’s damp or has absorbed any odors. If it has, you’ll want to replace it with a fresh roll to keep the odor-absorbing process going.
Why Toilet Paper is a Better Choice for the Environment and Your Wallet
Many store-bought products claim to be “refrigerator deodorizers,” but they often come in plastic containers and may contain artificial chemicals. These products can be effective, but they’re not the most environmentally friendly option and often come with unnecessary packaging. Toilet paper, on the other hand, is affordable, biodegradable, and free of chemicals. Since it’s something you likely already have in your home, using it as a fridge deodorizer is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. There’s no need to spend extra money on fancy odor-removing products when a simple household item can do the job just as well.
Enhancing the Effect with Baking Soda
To increase the effectiveness of this method, try combining it with another tried-and-true odor-fighter: baking soda. Baking soda is well-known for its ability to neutralize odors by absorbing moisture and eliminating acidic or basic molecules that create smells. If you place an open box of baking soda next to the roll of toilet paper in your fridge, they’ll work together to double the deodorizing power. As the toilet paper soaks up moisture, the baking soda helps eliminate odor-causing particles on a chemical level, making your fridge smell even fresher.
Handling Stubborn Odors with a Baking Soda Paste
If there are particularly strong or stubborn odors, you can take an extra step by making a simple baking soda paste. To do this, mix a small amount of baking soda with water until it forms a thick paste. Then, apply the paste directly to the roll of toilet paper, coating the outside layer lightly. This extra layer of baking soda can help absorb even more odors, targeting those that seem especially tough to get rid of. The paste won’t damage the toilet paper’s absorbency, but it will give it an extra boost to tackle challenging smells.
An Easy, Effective, and Low-Cost Solution
Using toilet paper to control odors in the fridge might sound strange at first, but it’s a simple and effective solution that doesn’t require any special equipment or harsh chemicals. It’s all about using the absorbent properties of toilet paper to create a moisture-free environment where odors have a harder time developing. With this trick, you can save money, reduce waste, and avoid bringing unnecessary chemicals into your home. Next time you notice an odd smell coming from the fridge, don’t rush out to buy an expensive deodorizer—just reach for an extra roll of toilet paper!
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of ways to keep your kitchen smelling fresh, but sometimes the simplest tricks turn out to be the most effective. This approach of using toilet paper may not be something you’ve heard of before, but it’s a method that’s easy to try, and it can provide great results without any extra cost. If you’re tired of dealing with unpleasant odors in the fridge, give this tip a go and see how it works for you. A fresh roll of toilet paper may be all you need to keep your refrigerator smelling clean, saving you time, money, and the hassle of dealing with lingering smells.
