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Avoid appliance funk. It’s common for homes to develop a few funny smells during the cooped-up winter. That includes the appliances. compiled these tips to keep stinky appliance issues at bay:
To prevent smelly ice: Make sure all items stored near the icemaker are either enclosed in sealed containers or double wrapped, preferably with foil, to prevent food smell crossover into the ice. Next, empty the icemaker bucket of all the smelly ice; check to see if the refrigerator water filter needs to be replaced; and wait for the new ice to be processed (a few hours). It should taste much better.
To prevent a smelly fridge: Some of the bad smells in refrigerators come from mold that can form around the rubber seal on the door(s), in addition to food particles and spills that collect in the nooks and crannies of shelves and trays. These areas can be easily cleaned with some hot soapy water. Or for more serious cleaning, add about a quarter cup of vinegar and a hearty tablespoon of baking soda to a quart of water. The fizz concoction should zap the smell by removing the dirt and mold without damaging the rubber seals. To keep it smelling fresh, try some Fridge Aid deodorizer.
To fix a burnt-smelling oven: There is probably burned food stuck to the bottom of the oven. The self-clean feature can get rid of that problem—all that leftover food will turn to ash, which can then be easily wiped clean. Check your range owner’s manual for how to use the self-clean feature.
To address a stinky washing machine: The best way to avoid a moldy washing-machine smell, especially on front-loaders, is by gently folding back the rubber seal around the door and drying the area inside the crevices with a cloth or paper towel after every wash load. Then, keep the door open when the machine is not in use, to allow air to circulate inside. If mold has already formed, run Affresh cleanser through a full cycle (without any clothing) to remove the moldy residue. Affresh can also be used in top loaders to remove dirt, mold or hard-water buildup.
To fix a sour-smelling dishwasher: First, take out all the racks and carefully remove food, gunk and debris from the bottom of the machine (with a towel or wad of paper towels to protect your hands). Pour a gallon of household vinegar in the bottom; let it sit for an hour, then run the machine through a full wash cycle. A product called Glisten also can be used to remove hard-water buildup, sour smells and mold in dishwashers. Follow the product label instructions.
