Topics:

• How to remove odors or odd smells on the interior of a refrigerator
• Bad odor in the refrigerator
• Removing odors from inside a refrigerator

Cause:

• High refrigerator/freezer temperatures
• Door seal cracked or torn
• Service error indicators on the control panel
• Standing water or other foreign matter in the drain pan
• Clogged drain tubes or standing water on the refrigerator floor
• Extended power loss

Troubleshooting:

1. Sanitize the unit before storing food inside it.
   • A new unit can have a “new unit smell” for many months after installation, so always clean the unit before using it the first time.
   • Cleaning clears the unit of stale air trapped during shipment.
2. Clean recent spills.
   • Recent spill in the unit can cause odors. Determine where the spill occurred and where it went.
   • The spill may reach the drain trough or drain pan area.
3. If the drain tube needs to be cleaned, see also:
   • 200, 300, 500, and 600 Series Refrigerator Drain Tube Cleaning
   • Classic (BI), Designer (Formerly Integrated), 700, 400, 648PRO Drain Tube Clogged
4. Clean the shelving. For more instructions, refer to:
   • Cleaning Interior Shelves
   • Door Gasket Cleaning
5. Uncovered food may create odors in the unit and will require that the unit be cleaned. Refer to the Sub-Zero Cleaning Reference for cleaning product recommendations and instructions.
6. Persistent odors may require disassembly and cleaning of the evaporator by a Factory Certified Service Company.
7. In extreme cases, the unit may need to be removed from the opening to find the odor and installed.

Extreme Odors

• Remove all shelving and clean again. If odors persist after cleaning, shelves may need to be replaced.
• Thoroughly clean the unit's interior to include drain pan, tubes, gaskets, and all crevices using warm water, dish detergent, and a capful of bleach.
• Block the doors open and keep a fan blowing into the unit interior for a few days if possible.
• Place crumpled-up newspapers, charcoal briquettes in a container, activated charcoal in a container, or fresh coffee beans (ground coffee can be used but may not be as effective) in the affected compartment. Replace daily to help absorb odors.
  • Doors can be open or shut.
• Factory Certified Service may be able to help with more thorough cleaning of the ice maker, drain tube, evaporator, or fan areas.
• If all avenues have been attempted and proven unsuccessful after several weeks, the unit may not be salvageable. Consider contacting the applicable renter's or home owner's insurance company for resolution.

Answer:

If these steps do not resolve the issue, no further troubleshooting advice is available. Contact Factory Certified Service to schedule an appointment for repair.