The Unusual Potato Hack People Use To Deodorize Their Fridge (& Does It Actually Work)?

Sooner or later, your refrigerator is going to get stinky — it happens to the best of us. The most common way to get rid of funky odors in your fridge is probably to stick a box of baking soda in it, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and creative solutions abound. One hack is to put a potato in it to absorb the smells. However, while some people have good results with this method, because potatoes are perishable, this may not be practical or effective long-term.

Several things can lead to a stinky fridge, including expired food, leaks, spills, and mold. Sometimes it's just that the different food smells in your fridge are all mingling together with strange results. Many foods both produce and absorb smells — think about the last time you bit into a fruit or veggie and it tasted like the fridge or like a different food. That same odor-absorbing power can be put to good use by allowing a potato to soak up unwanted smells in your fridge (just don't try to eat the potato later).

To try this hack, just cut a raw potato and place it on the shelves in your fridge until it turns black. Some people recommend peeling it and cutting it in half, while others say to dice it into small pieces. Whichever technique you go with, this hack has some potential downsides, and you might want to try a different way to banish unwanted fridge odors instead.

As far as effectiveness, it's hard to say how well a potato will work in comparison to more standard fridge deodorizers. Anecdotally, people have found this to be effective. Some have even used potatoes to absorb smells in cars. If you happen to have extra potatoes on hand already, it may be worth a try. However, keep in mind that it might not be the best option if you have other deodorizing items.

The main potential issue with using a potato as a fridge deodorizer is that it could be inconvenient for a long time — the potatoes will get gross after a couple of days, and you'll need to replace them regularly to achieve results. If you happen to forget and the potato goes rotten, you'll be left with an even stinkier fridge than before. Alternative fridge deodorizers that have a lower risk of backfiring include vinegar, activated charcoal, or a bowl of lemons — and of course, trusty old baking soda.

For a guaranteed stink-free fridge, your best option is to do a full deep clean. Throw away expired foods, clean up any spills, and scrub down every shelf and drawer. Add ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, or lemons to your cleaning solution to help neutralize odors. Don't forget to clean this important spot: the fridge drain. Also clean the air filter, water filter, and coils. Turning off the fridge and airing it out can help as well.