Photo: USDA Flickr
As winter approaches, so does the possibility of power outages. Refrigerators and freezers can hold cold temperatures for a short amount of time. But if power outages linger, food can become unsafe, spoil and can leave residual odors.
Food odors can be hard to remove. Dispose any spoiled or questionable food. Remove shelves, drawers, and ice trays to wash in hot soapy water. Rinse with a bleach sanitizer of one tablespoon bleach per gallon water. Wash the appliance interior with a mix of hot water and baking soda, then sanitize. Leave the door open to air dry. These steps may need to be repeated several times. Some other tips to remove odors are on the USDA website.
If meat juice or spoiled food has lingered in an appliance, it may have seeped into the insulation. At this point, the appliance may need to be discarded. Remove the door, if possible, or lock it in some manner to make it child proof.
