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AIBU?

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BLEACH in a fridge??

118 replies

Talkabtit101 · 24/02/2025 04:39

Bought a second hand fridge yesterday off marketplace, just moved home and couldn't afford one brand new, came delivered all was well, I opened the fridge and my nose burned from the chlorine smell, I asked if they'd used bleach in it and they said " we have to use something to stop it from smelling "

Fair enough this is absolutely fine, but how on earth do I get rid of the smell of bleach, I understand I have to clean it but how many rinses would one have to do with dettol and hot water to ensure there is 0 residue left behind.

I wouldn't usually mind but this fridge has a water dispenser, so the use of bleach in the fridge has got me a little wound

Aibu to think they could've possible not used bleach on the bloody fridge, surely there would've been another alternative, with the way it smells too, it isn't even diluted bleach, just as though they've poured from a thick bleach bottle right on it.

AND how do I now remove it

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 24/02/2025 10:30

White vinegar and/or sodium bicarbonate, plus obviously ventilation would be my first ports of call.

DazzlingCuckoos · 24/02/2025 10:25

I'd be more concerned about what the smell is that they were trying to cover up??

Will it come back once you start using it??

rosemarble · 24/02/2025 10:19

Biffbaff · 24/02/2025 09:32

This thread has been eye opening for me. I thought Dettol WAS bleach!

What? They smell entirely different!

rosemarble · 24/02/2025 10:18

Serpentstooth · 24/02/2025 07:01

Scummy. I use a fridge once before disposing of it.

I have no need for such appliances (peasants). I have my minions bring me whatever my heart desires. The bleach/Dettol issue is theirs to ponder.

(I actually clean my fridge with regular kitchen cleaner spray - not a bleach or anti bac one). The drawers and bits that come off get a wash in the sink. Not every week though, maybe a few times a year.

Biffbaff · 24/02/2025 09:32

This thread has been eye opening for me. I thought Dettol WAS bleach!

CloudPop · 24/02/2025 09:26

BeTwinklyKhakiPanda · 24/02/2025 08:04

I emptied and cleaned my fridge once. It was an interesting experience in observational biodiversity

😂😂

Soontobe60 · 24/02/2025 09:25

I’m guessing that the fridge has been left unplugged with the door closed for a while - hence the smell. The seller may have realised this when the came to move it hence the bleach!
As others have said, wipe it down with hot water, prop the door open for 24 hours before plugging it in and the smell should dissipate.

BeaAndBen · 24/02/2025 09:20

You are concerned about bleach and your mind went straight to Dettol? Bloody hell.

Hot water wipe down, door open, then a dish of bicarb inside as everyone else has suggested.

sueelleker · 24/02/2025 09:19

I'd be worried about why they needed to use bleach. If it was to maybe kill mould, the fridge may not be working as it should.

Paddleboardsandironingboards · 24/02/2025 09:17

A saucer of bicarb and wiping down with a wet cloth will sort this. Bleach will eventually destroy the door seals on a fridge.

MrsMoastyToasty · 24/02/2025 09:16

Make sure the drainage thingammy at the back of the fridge is clear and draining.

Edcc · 24/02/2025 09:15

I would wipe it down with a hot water mixture of washing liquid and fresh lemon juice.
Let it dry with the door open.
Leave half a lemon in for a few days too.

nitrofueled · 24/02/2025 09:14

Oooh is this thread gonna morph into a classic Monday morning MN bleach war 😁

LovelyLeitrim · 24/02/2025 09:10

MsVi · 24/02/2025 08:07

Of course it isn’t. I remember the cook at my children’s school in France telling me they had to wash lettuce three times in a weak solution of bleach to prevent food poisoning.

That was tongue n cheek to a poster that says she hadn’t died from using bleach in her fridge.

🙄

Katemax82 · 24/02/2025 09:09

I bought the fridge freezer off the previous tenants when I moved into the house I rent, it had been left off so had some mould. I had to use bleach to scrub it to death, I just left the door open to air out for a day before using it. You can also put a tray of charcoal on one of the shelves to absorb the smell

AlexandrinaH · 24/02/2025 09:08

EleanorReally · 24/02/2025 07:28

dont use bleach in a fridge
the smell taints the food
use Dettol, odourless

Dettol is NOT odourless.

AlexandrinaH · 24/02/2025 09:07

NamelessNancy · 24/02/2025 06:49

Maybe it's just me but I'd rather clean my fridge with bleach than Dettol?!

Same - dettol is the worst smell. Reminds me of my school years 😂

Hottchoc · 24/02/2025 09:04

I clean almost everything with bleach 😂 use it daily

Floatlikeafeather2 · 24/02/2025 09:00

When I was given a set of Le Creuset pans in the 70s, the advice was to use bleach to keep the insides "looking fresh". So I did. I'm still here (but a bit horrified now that I did it, I have to admit).

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 24/02/2025 08:50

NamelessNancy · 24/02/2025 06:49

Maybe it's just me but I'd rather clean my fridge with bleach than Dettol?!

Was just about to say this very thing. I use a bleach based spray to clean the interior of my fridge and then give it a wipe down with a cloth and plain hot water. No issues with smell as l leave the door open for a bit to let it dry out before reloading. Dettol isn’t a nice smell to start with and it’s vile when it goes stale. I’d imagine after a few cleans with it, the smell would be permanent.

LBFseBrom · 24/02/2025 08:44

Use vinegar and soda, leave door open for a while. Then put a firdge deodoriser in the door. The smell will go away soon enough. At least you know the previous owner kept it clean.

HScully · 24/02/2025 08:36

at least you know its clean! Honestly it will be fine with a bit of airing. Id rather use bleach which will beak down in time than some of those fragranced options - god know what you are tainting your food with these

SapphireSeptember · 24/02/2025 08:36

Isn't Milton essentially bleach? And we put babies' bottles in it? So it can't be that bad? Although when cleaning out my fridge I only use hot soapy water, which is the same as I used to do working in a café and doing a deep clean of the fridges and freezers.

Goldpanther · 24/02/2025 08:35

mommatoone · 24/02/2025 08:31

Don't worry OP , the 'ban the bleach brigade' will be along soon with some excellent advice!

The anti bleach parade will arrive to tell you to use Milton instead 🤣🤣

mommatoone · 24/02/2025 08:31

Don't worry OP , the 'ban the bleach brigade' will be along soon with some excellent advice!