Move Over Baking Soda: This Refrigerator Companion Stole The Show At IFA 2024

There are few things more unappetizing than opening your fridge and being hit with a waft of something "off." All too often, we buy groceries with the best intentions, only to end up dining out and letting all that good produce spoil. According to a 2019 study published in the journal Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, the average American wastes more than ⅓ of the groceries they bring home. Sometimes, even fresh foods can cast a pungent smell over your other items. For such a common problem, the issue with fetid fridges had gone unsolved for far too long. That is, until the Shelfy fridge purifier by Vitesy launched at this year's IFA event in Berlin. This ingenious little device sits discreetly in your fridge and reduces airborne microbes and odors, keeping your fridge a fresh, healthy, and odor-free space.

If you're like most people, you've probably scoured the internet for genius tips and tricks to deodorize your kitchen. After learning about this handy gadget, however, you might want to hold off on putting baking soda in your fridge, as the Shelfy is a total game-changer. House Digest had the honor of witnessing this product live at this year's IFA event, and after seeing this remarkable device in action, the Shelfy earned our House Digest's "Best of IFA" award! Here's what you need to know about the science behind this ingenious new product and how Shelfy can even help you save money on your next grocery bill. 

As fruits and vegetables ripen, they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ethylene gas that can become trapped in your refrigerator. Federico Faleschini, Export Manager at Vitesy explained, "The problem is that in a refrigerator with no active air purification system that breaks down VOCs, ethylene builds up to high concentrations, and so it's kind of accelerating the ripening process." When placed in a refrigerator with apples and avocados for five hours, the Shelfy reduced VOC levels by 80%. Besides just making your fridge smell better, the Shelfy can also help your fresh produce last longer. When tested, the Shelfy reduced 99.37% of airborne microbes after just 10 minutes in the refrigerator. This significantly reduces the number of bacteria and mold spores circulating in your fridge, prolonging the time it takes for food to start going bad.

If you're still a believer in the old-fashioned baking soda method, Faleschini explains why it isn't one of the best ways to get rid of smelly odors in your fridge: "Baking soda kind of degrades after a while. [It] will not do anything against the bacteria. So it is a lot more limited in its efficiency." Vitesy's Shelfy measures in at 4½ inches wide, 6.6 inches tall, and 2.6 inches deep — not much bigger than a box of baking soda. At just under $150 from Vitesy's website, the Shelfy is a worthwhile investment that can help you eat healthier, avoid fridge odors, reduce waste, and save money on groceries — an all-around winner, if you ask us!