Refrigerator has a strong, unpleasant odor even after cleaning.

Safety first: Wear gloves and a mask if sensitive to mold or strong odors.

• Deep clean interior: Remove all food and shelves. Clean all surfaces with a mixture of baking soda and warm water.
• Check drain pan: Access the rear bottom and remove the drain pan. Clean thoroughly with hot soapy water and disinfectant.
• Replace air filter: If equipped, replace the fresh air filter cartridge.
• Ventilate: Leave doors open for several hours with the unit unplugged to air out, then restart.
• Severe contamination: If odor persists after thorough cleaning, insulation may be saturated (common after long-term spoilage). In such cases, replacement of the refrigerator is often more practical than repair.