Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fridge/freezer left off for 2 weeks! Oh the smell!!!

3 replies

makeyourown · 25/03/2014 22:29

Help!! I've just come back from a two week holiday to discover that I switched off the fridge/freezer when I meant to switch off the hot water heater! Rotten meat and fish a plenty! (And I live in a warm climate, to make matters worse).
I have spent hours cleaning with baking soda, vinegar, disinfectant etc but it still smells. I have it switched off, with the doors open. Would the cold help if I turn it on? Is it better as it is, or with doors shut and baking soda to absorb odours?

I need to get rid of the smell asap as obviously living without a fridge is not going to be easy! Have young kid.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 26/03/2014 00:15

unplug it, and pull it away from the wall. Observe that there is a dish on top of the motor which contains water and fungal growth. Sponge it dry, then clean it with household cleaner and a small brush, and sponge it out. Do not allow water to fall on any electrical part.

The inside of the cabinet can be sprayed with kitchen cleaner with bleach, but keep it away from any electrical part or any exposed metal. Agitate well with a cellulose sponge, sponge off, wipe with fresh water on a sponge to clean it off.

Have another look in the dish after a week or so.

I think it will air better, turned off with the doors open, but when you turn it back on, condensation and defrost will tend to wash away the smell into the dish.

AnneElizabeth · 16/10/2024 18:38

Just found out my upright freezer has been unplugged for 2 weeks, has not been opened before now. I have discarded all the stinking contents. Can anyone tell me how I should clean the inside to get rid of smells?
I have bleach, disinfectant, sodium bicarb and general household cleaners. Thanks in advance for your help
Annie

PigletJohn · 17/10/2024 02:01

As above, but I have found that when washing out the cabinet, more water will drain into the evaporation dish, so pull out the FF and sponge out the dish so it does not get full enough to overflow. I once had to replace a motor starter that had got wet.

A small soft paintbrush is useful for scrubbing out nooks and crannies with WUL, which I understand is antibacterial when it is not diluted. You can wash the shelves, drawers and racks in the sink. The plastic parts will probably not withstand the heat of a dishwasher, but if necessary you can buy new drawers as spares for major brands. Measure your old ones before ordering.

After cleaning, you will be sponging out with fresh water to remove traces of cleaning products.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread