Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Please help. I just purchased a new small refrigerator for our preschool. A parent gave us a bag of fresh shrimp, and we left it in the refrigerator during the weekend, but the door was not shut properly. Now the refrigerator has a bad smell. — Angela, via e-mail

Here are some things you can try:

“ Fill the fridge with crumpled-up newspaper and close the door; leave it shut for a couple of days. Then remove the newspapers and keep replacing until the smell is gone.

“ Wipe all surfaces with a solution of half vanilla extract and half water. Let sit for several days.

“ Put some activated charcoal in the fridge and keep it closed for a day or two.

— Heloise