Classic Winnebagos & Vintage RVs

Topic Boards => Coach => Topic started by: John.0 on April 26, 2016, 08:33 PM

Title: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: John.0 on April 26, 2016, 08:33 PM
The previous owner had what I think was a jug of milk explode in the fridge and like everything else it was left to decay.
What I thought would just dissolve with a little cleaning has turned out to be permanently attached to the plastic.It's like it scarred the plastic and bonded to it.It's raised up where it is but it cant even be scraped off.Then there's the smell,I have a feeling it is probably in the plastic for good.

Does anybody have any ideas?I don't have the money to replace it and the only thing I can think of as an absolute last resort would be to get some paint designed for plastic and paint the interior.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: JessEm on April 26, 2016, 11:00 PM
According to Popular Science, this concoction will remove almost any odor. Mix 1 quart of Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4 cup of Baking Soda, and one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Saturate the affected area, rinse thoroughly and repeat. This is also non-toxic and safe for your fridge.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: John.0 on April 26, 2016, 11:38 PM
Quote from: JessEm on April 26, 2016, 11:00 PM
According to Popular Science, this concoction will remove almost any odor. Mix 1 quart of Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4 cup of Baking Soda, and one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Saturate the affected area, rinse thoroughly and repeat. This is also non-toxic and safe for your fridge.

Thanks I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: JessEm on April 27, 2016, 01:28 AM
Please report back on your success. I've never tried it myself. Good luck.

It's probably not a good idea to try saving this potion in a sealed container.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: M & J on April 27, 2016, 06:34 AM
It is also effective for removing skunk spray odor. Road kill near the house.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: Elandan2 on April 27, 2016, 08:07 AM
You may also have to take the door apart to clean around the seal.  I had a jug of milk spill in the fridge while traveling one time and I had to take the door apart to get it all out from the seal and the inside of the door.  I couldn't believe how much was trapped inside there.  Thankfully, I got right at it that day and avoided any odor problems.  Good Luck.  Rick
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: John.0 on April 30, 2016, 09:40 AM
Well I made the concoction and to my surprise it actually helped quite a bit.The odor is not 100% gone but it's alot better than it was,maybe some air and a couple more doses might do the trick.

Elandan2 yes the door will definitely need to be taken apart.I don't know whats inside the door but the seal will need some attention.

Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: Rickf1985 on April 30, 2016, 09:56 AM
Quote from: JessEm on April 26, 2016, 11:00 PM
According to Popular Science, this concoction will remove almost any odor. Mix 1 quart of Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4 cup of Baking Soda, and one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Saturate the affected area, rinse thoroughly and repeat. This is also non-toxic and safe for your fridge.

I was kind of curious to see how this was going to work, I was picturing a giant foaming monster coming out of the container. :)rotflmao
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: John.0 on April 30, 2016, 10:34 AM
Quote from: Rickf1985 on April 30, 2016, 09:56 AM
I was kind of curious to see how this was going to work, I was picturing a giant foaming monster coming out of the container. :)rotflmao

I kind of expected something to happen too but there was no reaction at all.
I did however get lots of suds from the dish soap which were a pain to get rinsed out.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: JessEm on April 30, 2016, 10:35 AM
Quote from: Rickf1985 on April 30, 2016, 09:56 AM
I was kind of curious to see how this was going to work, I was picturing a giant foaming monster coming out of the container. :)rotflmao

lol  :)rotflmao

Nice to hear it's working. Thanks for posting an update on the situation. As for the raised areas, maybe a random orbit sander with fine paper? The sanded area probably won't match the rest, so I would try making it look like part of the design...
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: M & J on April 30, 2016, 10:55 AM
I knew it worked from a skunk being run over close to the house. Took care of that odor completely.
And if you want a huge foaming monster use vinegar and baking soda. That should also clean well.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: John.0 on April 30, 2016, 11:04 AM
Quote from: JessEm on April 30, 2016, 10:35 AM
lol  :)rotflmao

Nice to hear it's working. Thanks for posting an update on the situation. As for the raised areas, maybe a random orbit sander with fine paper? The sanded area probably won't match the rest, so I would try making it look like part of the design...

No problem and thanks for the advice.I have thought about sanding it but regardless if I can get all the smell out I'll be happy.

I don't know why I didn't think of it but I have used one of these (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Biocide-Liquid-Shocker-odor-Eliminator-3251-/111838624585?hash=item1a0a19fb49:g:0DkAAOxyUgtTN4r~&item=111838624585&vxp=mtr) in a stinky van I bought and it worked pretty well,so maybe I'll throw one of them in it and see if it finishes it off.
Title: Re: Any ideas for cleaning and de-stinking refrigerator needed badly.
Post by: Rickf1985 on April 30, 2016, 05:55 PM
And just WHY did the van stink?????? W% W% W% W% W%