Cleanup tip. Why do you put coffee dregs in the fridge?

Um of the best known cleaning tricks to eliminate unpleasant odors from the refrigerator is to put a bottle with coffee dregs inside. 

But does this trick really work?

The Spruce talked to cleaning professionals to get the answer.

Why do people put coffee dregs in the fridge?

Instead of pouring the coffee dregs into the trash, consider using them to fight the bad odors in the fridge.

Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and founder and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, explains how great these are to absorb moisture and retain unpleasant odors. 

“The soil has small corners that absorb undesirable odors instead of simply masking them with a new aroma,” Martinez explained. “It is a natural and discreet method of cooling the refrigerator without using chemicals or sprays”. 

Coffee stains: How the Trick Works

Armando Calderon, owner of Joy’s Cleaning Services, reveals that coffee lees work because they are naturally absorbent and nitrogen-rich, which helps neutralize odor molecules rather than just mask them.

“ Unlike sodium bicarbonate, which is purely absorbent, coffee lees have an earthy aroma that can subtly cool the refrigerator, and absorb bad odors”, underline.

Martinez recommends putting the lees in a small open container, like a shallow bowl, then putting them in the bottom so that it is not moved. This will allow air circulation around you. 

“If your refrigerator is large or has an intense smell you can put some small containers on different levels on the shelves to help distribute the air more efficiently and evenly,” Martinez advises.

3 tips for using coffee lees in refrigerator

Let the coffee powder dry completely. Calderón emphasizes the importance of drying the coffee powder well before putting it in the refrigerator, as moist powder can create mold and other problems.

Use kitchen paper. Martinez suggests using kitchen paper to spread the coffee dreg before putting it in the fridge, so that any residue will dry.

Change the coffee lees. Remember to change the coffee lees every two or three weeks, or even before, if you start smelling again.