Community Forums

KSagal · 05-12-2015, 07:26 PM

I bought a motor home that had been left for some time before I got to it.

The refrig/freezer work great, but unfortunately, because there was food in each when it was parked for a couple years, the food really rotted bad...

I have kept the refrig on while doing other work in the camper, and am looking for ideas on how to get it really clean, and get that smell out of it.

I have done some pretty good work in the refrig, and while pretty clean by appearance, it still is less than attractive by scent.

I would love some advice. Something preferably simple, cheap and easy...

Arch Hoagland · 05-12-2015, 07:37 PM

Once you have scrubbed it I'd leave the doors open and put a fan blowing inside it for a week or so.

That plastic they use really sucks up the smells.

Ozone Generator | Ozone Machine for Odor Removal | OdorFree

You can rent an Ozone machine at Home Depot and I know it will remove the smell but it's a bit pricy.

96 Wideglide · 05-12-2015, 07:42 PM

Have you tried a couple of open boxes of baking soda

Blackhat6mike · 05-12-2015, 07:47 PM

Try X-14. I accidently left snow crabs in our refer turned off for a week during summer. It would knock you down when you opened the door!!!! Used X-14 and a sponge for two applications two days apart and all was well.

planojeeper · 05-12-2015, 08:04 PM

x2 on the baking soda

fletch460 · 05-12-2015, 08:19 PM

I heard of charcoal after a hurricane and seemed to work pretty good

rgvtexan · 05-12-2015, 09:21 PM

x2 on charcoal also coffee grounds (fresh unused)
Years ago the Kids brought the groceries in from the car trunk, they missed the gallon of milk. When it swelled enough to split the bottle it would gag a maggot. The charcoal and coffee grounds removed the smell in a few days.

spinn · 05-12-2015, 09:58 PM

X3 on the ozone generator you might also try spraying ODO-BAN ( available Lowe's, Home Depot) this it's great stuff! Both an disinfectant and odor neutalizer

Texbeachbum · 05-12-2015, 10:02 PM

roll up newspapers. fill it up. let stand for a couple days

HoneyBadger · 05-13-2015, 07:25 AM

Ozone generator-

for some reason, a bazillion mice moved into the motorhome over one winter and the stench of mouse urine was astonishing. Intensive cleaning (and I mean bleach solution on every surface I could reach) knocked it back somewhat but when the sun warmed the coach up it stank almost as much as before.

4 hours with the ozone generator (I bought this one on Amazon) and the coach smelled like... rain showers.

Remarkable. Actually destroys the volatile compounds that make "odor" and kills black mold as well. Pet odors, human odors, tobacco, mildew- all gone. The professionals use them extensively in hurricane and flood renovations.

wa8yxm · 05-13-2015, 07:42 AM

When I worked in an appliance store warehouse and we had to clean out a Re-Po we used the power of STEAM.

Water at 220 degrees.... Is a very powerful cleaner.

guardrail53 · 05-14-2015, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

Ozone generator-

for some reason, a bazillion mice moved into the motorhome over one winter and the stench of mouse urine was astonishing. Intensive cleaning (and I mean bleach solution on every surface I could reach) knocked it back somewhat but when the sun warmed the coach up it stank almost as much as before.

4 hours with the ozone generator (I bought this one on Amazon) and the coach smelled like... rain showers.

Remarkable. Actually destroys the volatile compounds that make "odor" and kills black mold as well. Pet odors, human odors, tobacco, mildew- all gone. The professionals use them extensively in hurricane and flood renovations.

Cool, good to know! Thanks, Rail!

Gocoffeer · 05-15-2015, 01:52 PM

KSAGAL: I think I might tackle that frig by first hitting the stink with a Febreeze. Then a mild soap and baking soda solution and a wash rags. No harsh chemicals...no hot steam....just wipe and rinse. If I needed a little stain remover...Comet.... it is non scratching.

HoneyBadger · 05-15-2015, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gocoffeer

KSAGAL: I think I might tackle that frig by first hitting the stink with a Febreeze. Then a mild soap and baking soda solution and a wash rags. No harsh chemicals...no hot steam....just wipe and rinse. If I needed a little stain remover...Comet.... it is non scratching.

No offense, but Febreeze is nothing but a scented cover-up. There are a few actual odor-killers on the market, but Febreeze isn't one of them. FYI, Comet is abrasive despite its label- never use it on something glossy or valuable.

I take it you haven't ever had to work on removing any really vile and persistent odors. I spent an entire year trying to get the smell of rotted, maggotty salmon out of an upright freezer that was given to us a few years back.

Finally dragged it to the dump.