Miele Persistent Odor / Biofilm in Drain and Air Ducts

Strong unpleasant odor inside refrigerator even after cleaning.

Possible Causes

Bacterial growth in defrost drain, Food spills in hidden areas, Mold in air ducts or insulation, Long power outage with spoiled food

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Unplug the unit before deep cleaning; avoid harsh chemicals that can damage plastics.

Steps:

Remove contents: Discard spoiled food and remove shelves and drawers.
Clean surfaces: Wash all interior surfaces with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
Clean drain: Flush the defrost drain with a mild bleach solution to kill bacteria.
Ventilate: Leave doors open for several hours with the unit unplugged to air out.
Use odor filters: Install or replace Miele Active AirClean filters if your model supports them.

Repair Difficulty

Very Easy 1/5

Required Part

Active AirClean Filter (if equipped)

Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.