Why Should You Put a Roll of Toilet Paper in the Refrigerator?

The refrigerator is an essential household appliance in almost every home. It stores a wide variety of foods, from raw ingredients to cooked meals, including meat, seafood, vegetables, fruits, beverages, and leftovers. Because so many different types of food are kept together in a closed space, unpleasant odors can easily develop inside the refrigerator—and once they appear, they are often difficult to eliminate completely.

Many people try wiping the refrigerator with cloths, using cleaning sprays, or even washing shelves repeatedly. However, the bad smell often lingers despite these efforts. Over time, this can become frustrating, and many households end up tolerating a refrigerator that never truly smells fresh.

In fact, there is a very simple and surprisingly effective trick to solve this common problem: place a roll of toilet paper anywhere inside the refrigerator and close the door. After a few days, you may notice that the unpleasant odors have significantly reduced or disappeared altogether.

Toilet paper has strong odor-absorbing properties. When placed in the refrigerator, it helps absorb odor-causing particles from the surrounding air. These particles become trapped in the paper fibers and are no longer able to circulate inside the fridge. In addition, toilet paper is soft, porous, and breathable, which allows it to capture and disperse unwanted smells more effectively than many people expect.

Simply placing one roll of toilet paper in the refrigerator can help deodorize the space and ease a common household concern. (Illustrative image)

Other Useful Refrigerator Tips Using Toilet Paper

Beyond odor removal, toilet paper can be useful in several other refrigerator-related tasks. For example, if ice or frost frequently builds up along the interior walls of the freezer compartment, you can first wipe the area dry with a cloth, then apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the surfaces. When frost forms again, it can be easily wiped away using toilet paper. This method saves time and effort and makes freezer maintenance much easier.

Additionally, slightly dampened toilet paper can be used for quick cleaning tasks. If you place moist toilet paper in the refrigerator for a few minutes and then use it to wipe phone screens or computer keyboards, it can help reduce static electricity and remove dust effectively. This makes toilet paper a surprisingly versatile item not only for hygiene but also for everyday cleaning and maintenance.

In short, a simple roll of toilet paper can serve multiple purposes—helping keep your refrigerator fresh, reducing odors, and even assisting with cleaning tasks—making it a small but clever household hack worth trying.