It’s time to play everyone’s favorite game: What smells in the refrigerator?

By the time you have to question what’s in that Tupperware container, it’s likely far past its lifespan and well on its way to creating a pungent odor inside your kitchen.

Nevertheless, the game shouldn’t end the same way every month. Even the most careful kitchen keepers leave the occasional piece of fruit or leftovers in the back of the fridge where it’s forgotten, so it’s time to take a stand against the stinky appliance in your kitchen.

Here are 5 ways to take control of and eliminate a smelly refrigerator:

1. Get rid of old food

This one’s obvious, but if there’s an abundance of old food sitting around, it’s going to smell. In order to eliminate the odor, you’re going to have to get to the root of the problem, which involves going through your fridge once per week (or more often!) and adopting a routine of dumping any leftovers or food about to go bad.

2. Clean the shelves

Think you eliminated the problem simply by tossing the food? Think again. Even if the smelly source was thrown away, the shelves could still be holding a few remnants. Be sure to scrub the shelves in your fridge, or remove and soak them if necessary. Do this on a regular basis, and you might be surprised by the number of small spills you’ll remove that were contributing to your smelly refrigerator.

3. Get rid of it with natural stuff

When it seems as if your fridge is never going to let go of the smell, there’s a way to make it latch on to something else. Try putting a box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb and deodorize any smell that’s inside. There are other types of odor-removers that could also do the trick.

4. Keep it at the right temperature

When was the last time you took a look at the actual temperature of your refrigerator? Some foods can spoil quickly if the temperature is too high, while others will freeze if it’s too low. Be sure your fridge is set at an optimal, efficient level. Often, that means 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Keep foods where they belong

Some shelves are better for certain items, while some vegetables will fare much better in the drawer. There’s also a list of foods you didn’t know could even be kept in the fridge! Certain items are also excellent at transferring their smells and tastes to their surroundings, so it’s best to keep them in airtight containers.

Looking for more insights beyond your smelly refrigerator? Check out our blog! If you’re experiencing a plumbing issue in the kitchen or elsewhere in your home, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Dallas . Our expert plumbers are available 24/7.