I Tried My Grandma's Depression-Era Hack for Fridge Smells - and It Really Works

"My grandma was born in 1930, during The Great Depression. She keeps a tidy home where nothing ever goes to waste. To this day, her pantry shelves are lined with mismatched recycled jars - proof of a lifelong habit of reusing what she already has. Over the years, she's passed down plenty of practical home economics lessons that reflect her resourcefulness. One of my favorites? She taught me how to get rid of smells in the fridge using old newspapers!"

"You've probably heard of putting baking soda in the fridge to tackle smells, but newspaper is a lesser-known hack. While there isn't a lot of formal research on why it works, the idea is that the paper acts like a sponge for odors. Its porous fibers (and even the carbon-based ink) can trap odor molecules while also soaking up moisture. Crumpling the sheets makes the paper even more effective, since it creates more surface area for odors to cling to."

"This hack is simple - all you need is a few sheets of newspaper. Then, follow the steps below. Start by tossing out expired food and wiping down the shelves (this prevents the paper from just masking deeper issues). Crumple a few sheets of newspaper into loose balls. Place the balls on different shelves where odors tend to linger. Leave them in for a couple of days to absorb unwanted smells. Replace the paper once a week, or sooner if it feels damp."

Old newspapers can absorb and trap refrigerator odors because their porous fibers and carbon-based ink bind odor molecules and soak up moisture. Crumpling sheets increases surface area and improves odor capture. Proper use includes disposing of expired food and wiping shelves, forming loose balls of newspaper, placing them on shelves where odors linger, leaving them for a couple of days, and replacing damp paper weekly or sooner. Newspaper functions as a low-cost alternative to baking soda. Organizing perishables, such as using an 'eat first' bin, reduces odor sources and helps maintain a fresher refrigerator.

Read at Apartment Therapy