For many, it feels like a losing battle. You clean, you scrub, you spray, and yet the odor stubbornly returns. This is where the unlikely hero — a roll of toilet paper — comes in.
The Secret Power of Toilet Paper
So how can something as ordinary as toilet paper help with refrigerator odors? The answer lies in its very design. Toilet paper is engineered to absorb moisture quickly and effectively. That’s why it works so well in the bathroom.
When placed inside the refrigerator, a fresh roll of toilet paper quietly goes to work, soaking up the excess humidity that often fuels mold, mildew, and unpleasant smells. As the roll absorbs moisture, it also traps the odors that would otherwise linger in the air or settle onto your food containers.
It may not be fancy, but it is practical. And for a fridge that always seems to smell “off,” it can make a noticeable difference in just a few days.
Reducing Humidity Means Reducing Odors
One of the biggest reasons refrigerators start to smell is because of high humidity inside. A damp fridge creates the perfect environment for bacteria and mold, both of which produce foul odors.
By placing a roll of toilet paper inside, you’re reducing that humidity. The paper naturally draws in moisture, leaving the interior air drier and less inviting to bacteria. In turn, this helps keep the space fresher for longer.
Think of it as a low-cost dehumidifier for your refrigerator — no batteries, no chemicals, and no complicated setup. Just a roll of paper doing what it was designed to do.
A Budget-Friendly, Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hack
Another reason this trick appeals to so many people — especially seniors who value practicality — is its affordability. There’s no need to purchase special odor-removing products or single-use deodorizers from the store.
Instead, you can use something you already have on hand. Once the roll has done its job and absorbed too much moisture to be useful, you can simply replace it with a new one. The used roll can even be repurposed for cleaning spills or wiping down messes, so it doesn’t go to waste.
In a world where many “miracle” cleaning products come at a high cost, the toilet paper method is refreshingly simple, frugal, and environmentally friendly.
Supercharging the Method With Baking Soda
If you want to take this hack a step further, you can combine toilet paper with one of the most trusted odor-fighting ingredients of all time: baking soda.
Here are two ways to do it:
- Pair Them Together: Place an open box of baking soda next to the roll of toilet paper in your fridge. Each works differently — baking soda neutralizes acidic and alkaline odors, while toilet paper absorbs moisture. Together, they create a powerful one-two punch against bad smells.
- Make a Baking Soda Paste: For more stubborn odors, try mixing baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste. Spread a thin layer of this paste directly onto the outer layers of the toilet paper roll. As the roll absorbs moisture, it will also draw in the odor-neutralizing power of the baking soda.
Either method can extend the freshness of your fridge and give you longer-lasting results.
