Power Outage Spoiled Food Odor: What to Do

After a long power outage, food in the refrigerator and freezer can spoil and leave a strong odor that soaks into the appliance, nearby cabinets and soft goods. Household cleaners and air fresheners often mask it for a day and then it comes back. Here's what to do once the power is back on.

Need help right now? Call MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 Open 24/7 in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. We're usually on site in about an hour near Freehold, and in about 2 hours in Lacey, Stafford, Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor.

Step by step: what to do right now

Decide what food is still safe. As a general guide from food-safety agencies: a full freezer that stayed closed can keep food frozen for about 48 hours (about 24 hours if it's half full). A refrigerator usually keeps food cold for about 4 hours if the door stayed shut. When in doubt, throw it out. Don't taste food to test it.
Bag spoiled food carefully. Put it in sealed bags or tied trash bags, take it outside right away, and wash your hands. If the smell is strong, wear gloves and open windows while you work.
Photograph the spoiled contents and the appliance before you empty it if you plan to file an insurance claim or a claim with your power company. Keep receipts for food you replace when your policy or utility asks for them.
Remove shelves, drawers and bins and wash them with hot, soapy water, then a mild bleach solution (about 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water) or another food-safe sanitizer. Rinse and air-dry completely.
Clean the inside of the fridge and freezer the same way, including door seals, drip pans and under the drawers. Wipe the outside and the floor underneath.
Leave the doors open with the appliance unplugged (or turned off) so it can air out. Place an open box of baking soda inside once it's clean and dry. Don't restock until the odor is gone.
Call your insurance company or utility if you have coverage questions about spoiled food. Write down any claim or ticket number.
Call a restoration company if the odor won't go away, if spoiled juices soaked into cabinets or flooring, or if the smell spread into the kitchen. MaxClean: 732-539-2942.

What NOT to do

Don't taste food to see if it's still good. When in doubt, throw it out.
Don't refreeze food that fully thawed and sat above 40°F for more than about 2 hours (sooner for meat, poultry, seafood and leftovers).
Don't just spray air freshener, Febreze or essential oils into the fridge. Masking sprays don't remove odor absorbed into plastic liners and insulation.
Don't run the empty fridge with a strong odor still inside and restock it. New food will pick up the smell.
Don't pour spoiled liquids into a sink or dishwasher without cleaning the area afterward; they can leave odor in the drain and disposal.
Don't ignore a smell that has moved into cabinets, drywall or nearby rooms. Porous materials can hold odor after the appliance is clean.

When to call a professional

The odor is still strong after you've emptied, washed and aired out the appliance for a day or more.
Spoiled liquids soaked into cabinetry, toe kicks, flooring or the wall behind the fridge.
You can smell the odor in other rooms or when the HVAC runs.
The fridge or freezer liner is cracked, stained or still smells after cleaning (odor can hide in the insulation behind the liner).
You need contents cleaning for nearby soft goods, or help documenting a larger loss.

Working with your insurance

We send the invoice to your insurance carrier on your behalf, but the invoice is still the homeowner's responsibility. That includes your deductible and anything your carrier doesn't pay.

In New Jersey, homeowners usually have the right to choose their own restoration contractor. We specialize in working with both homeowners and insurance companies to make sure the work is properly documented for your claim, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.

Learn more on our insurance claims page or our water damage restoration page.

Printable checklist

Power Outage Spoiled Food Odor: What to Do: Checklist

☐ Unsafe food thrown out in sealed bags (when in doubt, tossed it)
☐ Photos taken of spoiled food and the appliance for any claim
☐ Shelves, drawers and bins washed and sanitized
☐ Interior, seals and drip pan cleaned; floor underneath wiped
☐ Appliance left open and off to air out; baking soda placed inside
☐ Not restocked until the odor is gone
☐ Insurance or utility contacted if filing a food-spoilage claim
☐ Restoration company called if odor or damage remains
☐ MaxClean Restoration 24/7: 732-539-2942

Frequently asked questions

How long does a fridge stay cold in a power outage? A closed refrigerator usually keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer that stays closed can keep food frozen for about 48 hours (about 24 hours if half full). Keep doors shut as much as you can during the outage.

Why does my fridge still smell after I cleaned it? Spoiled food odor soaks into plastic liners, door gaskets and sometimes the insulation behind the walls of the appliance. Surface cleaning doesn't always reach it. Professional deodorization, and in some cases replacing the liner or the unit, may be needed.

Does homeowners insurance cover spoiled food after a power outage? Coverage depends on your policy, so check your policy or ask your agent. Some policies have a small limit for refrigerated food spoilage, and some utilities offer limited reimbursement after a long outage. We send the invoice to your insurance carrier on your behalf, but the invoice is still the homeowner's responsibility. That includes your deductible and anything your carrier doesn't pay.

Can the smell damage my kitchen cabinets? Yes. Strong spoiled-food odor and liquids can soak into wood, particleboard and nearby flooring. If cabinets smell even after the fridge is clean, they may need professional cleaning or, in severe cases, replacement of affected parts.

Can I choose my own restoration contractor? In New Jersey, homeowners usually have the right to choose their own restoration contractor. We specialize in working with both homeowners and insurance companies to make sure the work is properly documented for your claim, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.

Get ready before it happens: build a free emergency plan for your home (shutoff locations, emergency contacts, maintenance reminders) at plan.maxcleanrestoration.com.

Need help right now? Call MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 Open 24/7 in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. We're usually on site in about an hour near Freehold, and in about 2 hours in Lacey, Stafford, Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor.

MaxClean Restoration, 11 Bannard Street, Freehold, NJ · IICRC Certified Firm · NJ HIC #13VH12188600 Open 24/7 across Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. Usually on site in about an hour near Freehold, and in about 2 hours in Lacey, Stafford, Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor.