In winter, strong odors accumulate in the refrigerator: fish, garlic, sauerkraut, onions. Even after cleaning, a persistent “background” remains, as if everything was saturated with the smell. Store-bought carbon filters and fragrances either don’t help or add a sweetish chemical smell that makes you sick.
But there is a simple and free way to get rid of odors once and for all. We are talking about a natural absorbent that works 3 times better than soda.
Take an empty glass instant coffee jar or any small jar with a lid. Rinse it, let it dry. Pour 10-15 activated carbon tablets inside, crushed into powder. Close the lid, but make 5-7 small holes in it with an awl or needle.
Place the jar on the middle shelf of the refrigerator. Activated carbon absorbs not only moisture, but also volatile odor molecules. It works quietly, discreetly and odorlessly.
Within 6–8 hours you will no longer notice any foreign odors. In a day, you will open the refrigerator and feel fresh, as if you had just bought a new one.
If the smell is very strong, add a pinch of dried lemon zest to the jar. It will give a light citrus note, but will not overwhelm the food.
The jar can be used for up to 2 months. Then just heat the charcoal for 5 minutes in the oven and it’s ready to go again.
This method is safe, does not smell, does not stain, and does not mix the flavors of the products.
