Home remedies for eliminating refrigerator odors often include baking soda, but some sources suggest used tea bags can also help. The proposed method involves saving used tea bags, allowing them to dry completely, and then placing them in the refrigerator to absorb unwanted smells.
While the porous nature of dried tea leaves may provide some odor-absorbing properties, there is limited scientific research specifically validating this method's effectiveness compared to established solutions. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a well-documented and powerful odor neutralizer, widely recommended by appliance manufacturers and cleaning experts.
For those wanting to try the tea bag method, ensure the bags are fully dried to prevent mold. Place a few in an open container on a shelf. However, for reliable odor control, a box of opened baking soda remains the standard, cost-effective solution recommended by most household authorities.
