Sour Smell in Fridge

[retromania]

Hi all. I did not want to hijack Rob's post with this, but I have a friend that has offered me a vintage Frigidaire refrigerator. It about the vintage of my 1952 O'Keefe and Merrit gas range. It runs. Needs a paint job. My friend stored it with the door closed and it has a sour smell. Will that go away when it is running and cools down? I am afraid that smell is with it forever now. Please share your thoughts.

 

[MrX]

Clean the fridge down with an antibacterial / anti fungal suitable for fridges.
Leave it fully open in a warm dry room for about 2 days.

Once you're happy it's entirely aired out and dry, start the fridge and leave it on maximum with the doors shut for about two or three days. Do not open it as you'll introduce moisture.

After that, it should be OK.

Don't use any scented or strong-smeling cleaners. They tend to stink it up and for weeks or can leave a taint that will last for a very, very long time.

If there are any stains on the surfaces inside, make a paste with bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and use it to clean it by rubbing gently. Rinse off with damp cloth (rinsing the cloth constantly).

 

[westie2]

coffee ground in a couple of plates along with several charcoal pieces in plates for a few days will take the odor away.

 

[retromania]

Yayyyy. Thanks!!! Then it's a go.

 

[polkanut]

Some baking soda in a bowl or 2 should help also.

 

[washerboy]

newspaper

I remember reading a Hints from Helouise once and she recommended filling the bottom of the fridge with newspapers and keeping the door closed for several days...the newspapers are supposed to absorbe the odor.

 

[retromania]

Many thanks!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am encouraged that bringing the fridge home won't be a waste of time.....at least as far as the odor problem is concerned. The other concern is that after moving it, it may not operate properly. I have heard that moving old refrigerators sometimes knocks them out of whack!!

 

[sudsmaster]

After moving it, before plugging it in, let it sit upright overnight where it's going to stay for a while. This will allow oil that has flowed into the coils to drain back into the compressor.

 

[retromania]

Thanks, Rich!