Maytag Odor Contamination / Drain or Food Spoilage

Refrigerator has a strong musty, sour, or chemical odor.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Spilled food or liquids in hidden areas, Mold growth in defrost drain or drip pan, Long power outage with spoiled food, Plastic odor from new unit

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Unplug the refrigerator before deep cleaning or removing panels.

  • Remove all food: Discard spoiled items and wipe all interior surfaces with a baking soda solution (1–2 tablespoons per quart of warm water).
  • Clean drip pan: Access the drain pan under the unit from the rear and clean it with warm soapy water.
  • Flush defrost drain: Use warm water to flush the defrost drain from inside the freezer to remove residue.
  • Deodorize: Place open boxes of baking soda or activated charcoal in both compartments for several days.

Persistent chemical or refrigerant-like odors accompanied by poor cooling may indicate a sealed system leak and require professional service.

Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5
Advertisements