Chopped Onion Made Fridge Stink!

Updated on December 18, 2008
A.R. asks from Parker, CO
8 answers

Yuck...I opened the fridge this morning to an overwhelming smell of chopped onions. I had a 1/4 onion in a bowl covered w/Saran Wrap and, obviously, had no idea this would be a problem. Is there any way to get rid of that smell fast? Is everything in there ruined?

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B.D.

answers from Boise on

Saran wrap isn't worth the money you pay for it! I keep chopped onion in a freezer zip lock baggie and never smell a thing! I buy a wrap from Amway that is great or I have seen at Costco a wrap that is equivalent called I think Stretch Tite in a yellow box. They stick very well and make you wonder why Saran Wrap sells. This stuff is great.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Charcoal will help a lot. I wrap my onions in paper towels and then in saran wrap. That works so well, I've forgotten about them and had them rot. Yuck!! You can also wipe down the surfaces with vinegar to remove the smell, but then you have the problem of a vinegar smell. GL!

K.A.

answers from Denver on

you might also try leaving an open bowl of white vinegar in the fridge for a day - 1/2 cup or so - to absorb the odor

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P.H.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I see that someone already suggested baking soda, but charcoal is actually more effective. I used to buy charcoal-based refrigerator fresheners at the grocery store. I've been told that a piece of charcoal - like you buy for your barbecue grill - will do the trick as well. Put it on a saucer or in a small bowl.

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S.K.

answers from Denver on

Pour baking soda in a cup or bowl, and leave it (open) in the fridge. That should help a lot.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

Your milk might taste like onion and you might have to throw it out. The rest of the stuff should be fine. I would get a box of baking soda and wipe out the whole fridge. Take everything out and wipe everything down.

The next time, cover the onion with plastic wrap and then tin foil. Then put it in a bowl in the fridge. Also, cut onion stinks more than a whole onion. If you can cut just what you need at the time. Save the rest. Good luck!!!

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J.L.

answers from Pocatello on

I have heard that an open can of coffee grounds in the fridge will absorb about any smell.

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D.G.

answers from Cheyenne on

Nothing like the pungent smell of onions when you open the fridge door! Nothing is ruined, but if you have odor absorbing foods uncovered like butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese, they will smell a little onion-y. The fastest way I know to get rid of the smell is prop the fridge door open a couple of inches for a few hours to allow the smell to escape. Put the old tried and true box of baking soda inside to help absorb odor. Place a bowl with a couple of sliced ripe red delicious apples inside. They will give off their fragrance and also absorb onion odor. If you do prop the door open, may want to move items in the door (milk, butter, eggs) to a shelf while door is open. For future storage I recommend to put halves and quarter onion pieces in a zip lock bag in the veggie drawer. For chopped onion and garlic, use a saved glass olive jar or pickle jar, jelly jar,any small glass jar with a screw on lid. You could use a small plastic storage bowl with snap on lid, but those absorb the odor and it won't come out. You could also store extra chopped in a zip lock in the freezer. Onion freezes well to be used later in cooked dishes, or salsa. You can add those little extra dabs to the bag until you have enough for a recipe.

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