The refrigerator drip pan is built to complete a simple task.
It is supposed to handle any condensation that leads to water dripping down. When the water drips, it has to settle somewhere and that is when the refrigerator drip pan comes into action.
In most cases, the refrigerator drip pan manages small amounts of water.
However, what happens if the refrigerator drip pan smells?
If a refrigerator drip pan smells, this means it is collecting mold, bacteria, and germs. To fix the issue, remove the drip pan, clean it with baking soda, and then let it dry, Once dried, re-install the drip pan and the smell will be gone.
The smell can be disturbing and it often spreads throughout the fridge if you are not careful.
The best course of action is to make sure you are focused on what is causing the refrigerator drip pan smell.
This guide will take a look at what to do about the refrigerator drip pan smell and how to make sure it is gone before you use the fridge again.
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Tips To Remove Refrigerator Drip Pan Smell
1. Remove The Refrigerator Drip Pan
The first step is to take out the refrigerator drip pan.
When you inspect the drip pan, you will notice mold and/or bacteria settling inside. This is a bad sign and it is something that has to be cleaned as soon as possible.
You don’t want a situation where the mold begins to spread inside the refrigerator drip pan and then to other parts of the fridge. It’s best to be proactive and make sure you act on this as soon as you can.
To do this, take out the refrigerator drip pan and begin the cleansing process.
2. Clean The Drip Pan With Baking Soda
Now, you are going to have to clean the refrigerator drip pan.
To do this, you can use a wide array of cleaning agents but it’s recommended to consider using baking soda.
Pour a cup of baking soda into the drip pan and let it sit for a few hours. You will also want to take a hard-bristled brush and scrub the inside of the drip pan vigorously.
The goal is to make sure all of the germs and mold are gone before you put the drip pan back into place.
Be diligent when brushing the refrigerator drip pan and continue to inspect the mold development.
When you are satisfied, you are going to begin wiping the surface using a dry cloth.
3. Let Drip Pan Dry
After the drip pan has been wiped using a clean cloth, you are going to move on to the next step, which will entail letting the drip pan dry.
You don’t want to put the drip pan back inside until it is 100% cleared.
The only way to know this is true is when you let the drip pan dry. The goal is to ensure the drip pan is back to how it was before the mold started spreading inside.
You will also want to take the chance to inspect the defrost drain pan that is inside the refrigerator. If there is a leak, this might be the reason for the mold developing in the drip pan.
Fix the leak to make sure this doesn’t come back to haunt you again.
4. Re-Install The Refrigerator Drip Pan
The last step is to re-install the refrigerator drip pan when you are satisfied with both the pan itself and the defrost drain pan inside the fridge.
Go through each step and then put the drip pan back inside.
You will want to be careful with the process and make sure you are progressing towards a solution that works.
Final Thoughts
These are the steps on how to manage the refrigerator drip pan smell.
To remove the refrigerator drip pan smell, start by removing the drip pan from the fridge. Now, pour a cup of baking soda into the pan and scrub using a hard-bristled brush. When the brushing is done, use a clean cloth and wipe the surface. Let the drip pan dry and then re-install it.
This is a quick fix that will ensure the refrigerator drip pan smell is gone.
One of the most important things to focus on is the defrost drain pan in the fridge. This is often the root cause of the mold and smell.
Take the time to inspect the defrost drain pan to find the leak. Fix the leak before the situation pops up again.
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