Oh dear. According to Kitchen Myths and Ask a Scientist, that old box of baking soda most of us have in our fridges doesn't actually work that well at eliminating odors.
Lucky for us, AT:LA recently wrote about deodorizing your fridge with two other basic household items: Coffee Beans and Vanilla.
Thanks, Gregory, for filling us in!
Vinegar also works and no, it doesn't make your refrigerator smell like a salad. It just masks whatever smell you don't want in there. I just place a capful in there for about an hour.
I've been doing the used coffee grounds think since I read Gregory's piece a few weeks back and it's fantastic. I highly recommend it for all you coffee drinkers whose fridges get that not-so-fresh feeling
once, i was at a party & the hostess used coffee beans in a way i had never seen. she had filled the glass candle holders w/ the beans & the warmth of the candles gave off a light scent. it was nice & the texture of the beans was pretty. i thought it was clever.
These are great tips. I knew that little orange box wasn't doing anything.