How to Get Rid of Freezer Smell for Good
An off, stale smell when you open the deep freezer usually comes from freezer-burned food and old, poorly wrapped items whose odors have spread through the closed space. Clear out the old items, wipe the interior with a baking soda solution, and reseal food airtight, and it smells clean again.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why a freezer goes stale
When air reaches food, it causes freezer burn, which has a distinct stale smell, and strong foods that are not sealed well transfer their odor to everything around them. In a closed freezer, those smells have nowhere to go.
A power blip that partly thaws and refreezes food makes it worse, and a very full or very empty freezer with poor airflow holds the odor longer. Clearing the source and wiping the interior is what resets it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Toss old and burned items. Go through and discard anything freezer-burned, unlabeled, or long past its date. FoodSafety.gov's cold storage charts give the keeping times.
- Move food and unplug. For a deep clean, move the rest to coolers, unplug the freezer, and let any frost melt.
- Wash the interior. Wipe it down with a baking soda solution, about a tablespoon per quart of warm water, and avoid strongly scented cleaners that food will absorb.
- Deodorize. Leave an open box of baking soda or a bowl of activated charcoal inside. For a strong lingering smell, crumpled newspaper or coffee grounds for a day or two helps.
- Dry, restock, and seal. Dry it fully, then restock in airtight wrapping or containers, labeled with dates.
Airtight wrapping is the real prevention. Freezer burn and odor transfer both come down to air reaching food, so sealing it well is what keeps the freezer fresh.
Keep it from coming back
Wrap food airtight, label and date everything, and use older items first so nothing sits for years.
Keep the freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit and avoid overfilling it, so air can circulate.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the freezer-burned food handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your kitchen, Adi fits well. It is bright citrus, with lemon, orange, mandarin, and grapefruit, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my freezer smell even though it is cold?
Freezer-burned and poorly wrapped food give off odors that spread through the closed space. Clear them out and wipe the interior.
How do I get a strong smell out of a freezer?
After cleaning, leave activated charcoal or an open box of baking soda inside for a day or two, and coffee grounds for stubborn odors.
Is freezer-burned food safe to eat?
It is safe but dry and off in flavor. Trim the burned parts or discard items that are heavily affected.
How do I prevent freezer burn?
Wrap food airtight, press out excess air, and use freezer bags or containers rather than loose or thin wrapping.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
Shop our candles
