Rotten Meat Smell in the Refrigerator

Has anyone ever dealt with flies and fly larvae in every crevasse of a fridge? We rented a place and they dropped the rent with the understanding we would clean the place up.

The last tenants left food in the fridge with a ton of meat and the electricity was turned off. So there was flies and larvae everywhere. We took to whole thing apart and cleaned it with bleach. It still smells. Any other ideas to clean it? And should we be concerned with larvae in any other areas?

By Rachel from Royal Palm Beach, FL

Answers:

Rotten Meat Smell in the Refrigerator

In this case, I'd inform the landlord of your attempt to thoroughly clean/disinfect the refrigerator with no pleasing results. Perhaps they will allow you to get a new or nearly new refrigerator and take it off the rent or they will get one to replace the smelly one. (10/15/2009)

By Myrna

Rotten Meat Smell in the Refrigerator

Put a 20# bag of charcoal in the bottom of the cleaned fridge. Tear open and leave in there about a week. You cannot use the fridge while doing this. (10/18/2009)

By Peg Ward

Rotten Meat Smell in the Refrigerator

I had the same problem when one of my renters moved out. You could try putting several boxes of opened baking soda in it. You could also try wiping down the entire refrigerator with vinegar, but I would suggest you leave it unplugged and open for a day or two if you do that. Charcoal should work also, but with that you would need to keep the refrigerator closed. Good luck. (10/18/2009)

By kitkatk100

Rotten Meat Smell in the Refrigerator

I would still advise you to get a new one. Those maggots lay eggs everywhere and will be inside the insulation, extremely unhealthy. (10/18/2009)

By Dena Roberts