Many people spend millions of Vietnamese dong every year on cleaning and deodorizing their refrigerators. However, in reality, you only need a simple roll of toilet paper to quickly and effectively solve this problem.

The refrigerator is an essential appliance in every household, but it often comes with the unpleasant issue of bad odors. Many spend significant amounts of money annually on cleaning services or specialized deodorizing products for their fridges. Yet, the truth is that just placing a roll of toilet paper inside the fridge can make a noticeable difference.

Why Does the Refrigerator Often Smell Bad?

Refrigerators store a wide variety of food items: fresh meat and fish, vegetables, cooked dishes, and beverages. The mixture of these different foods can easily create unpleasant odors. When these smells accumulate over time, they not only affect the taste of food but also create an environment conducive to bacteria growth, which can negatively impact your health.

Many families resort to expensive deodorizing solutions or professional cleaning services. However, these methods often cost a lot, take time, and sometimes fail to provide a thorough or lasting solution.

A Simple Trick Using Just a Roll of Toilet Paper

Instead of spending money on costly products, simply place a roll of toilet paper inside your refrigerator drawer. Toilet paper has strong moisture-absorbing and odor-trapping properties, which quickly “lock in” bad odor molecules and prevent them from spreading in the air.

After just a few days, the bad smells in your fridge will almost completely disappear, leaving behind a fresh and pleasant environment. One roll of toilet paper can last from a few weeks up to several months depending on usage, saving you a considerable amount of money compared to specialized deodorizing products.

Double Benefits of Using Toilet Paper in the Fridge

This simple tip not only saves money but is also highly reusable and eco-friendly. Once the roll has absorbed enough odors, you can dry it under the sun or spray it with disinfectant to reuse it again. Moreover, used toilet paper can still serve other household purposes such as cleaning tables, stairs, kitchen surfaces, or less critical areas—an intelligent way to reuse resources and reduce waste.

More Than Just Deodorizing: Other Practical Uses of Toilet Paper

Toilet paper can help in various situations beyond odor control. For instance, when the freezer compartment accumulates frost, you can apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the surface and then use toilet paper to wipe away the ice once it forms. This method is quick, easy, and requires minimal effort.

Additionally, slightly dampened toilet paper can be used to clean dust and static electricity off electronic screens, like your phone or computer keyboard, thanks to its moisture-retaining and dust-trapping properties.

Other Household Ingredients You Can Use Instead of Toilet Paper

If you don’t have toilet paper handy, there are several natural alternatives you can try at home:

• Coffee Grounds: After brewing coffee, place the grounds in a small cloth bag and leave it in a corner of the fridge. Within a few hours, bad odors will be noticeably reduced.

• Dry Bread: Bread can absorb moisture and odors well. Placing a small piece in the fridge can keep it fresh for about a month.

• Vinegar: Leaving an open jar of vinegar in the fridge quickly neutralizes odors and restores freshness.

• Lemon and Salt: Using a mixture of lemon juice and salt to wipe fridge surfaces infuses a natural citrus scent and keeps odors at bay for a long time.

Tips to Keep Your Refrigerator Clean and Long-Lasting

While deodorizing is important, the key lies in scientific food storage habits:

• Always wrap fresh meat and fish tightly before placing them in the fridge.

• Regularly check and remove expired or spoiled foods.

• Clean your fridge periodically with a soft cloth and natural solutions like lemon juice or baking soda.

These small habits not only keep your refrigerator clean but also prolong its lifespan and reduce electricity consumption, helping you save on energy bills.