Toilet paper in the fridge: You knock on your forehead, but it’s a great help against odours

A roll of toilet paper is probably not what you would normally put in the fridge. Yet, in some households, when you try to find a cold drink in the fridge, you might just find toilet paper in the doorway. It sounds absurd, but this unconventional trick has gained the attention of people all over the world over the past few years. Why should you put toilet paper in your fridge too?

What was first thought to be an internet prank is now proving to be a cheap, simple and surprisingly functional method of keeping your fridge free of odours and excessive moisture. While experts point out that it is definitely not a substitute for proper cleaning and maintenance, there are still many reasons why people want to try this trick.

Absorbent properties of toilet paper

Toilet paper is made mostly of pure cellulose, a natural material that has a distinct ability to attract and bind moisture from the air. Moisture is one of the main culprits of unpleasant odours in the refrigerator. Condensation, dripping water or moist food create an environment where odour molecules and micro-organisms can easily settle.

This is where the simple role of toilet paper comes into play:

• Absorbs moisture: the paper fibres trap water vapour that would otherwise remain in the cool air of the fridge.
• Traps odour particles: Water vapour often carries volatile organic compounds from food. When the paper is dry and porous, it helps trap these molecules and doesn’t let them back into the air.

Although toilet paper is not specifically developed as an odor absorber, its material has similar properties to some paper or cellulose absorbers used in laboratory and industrial areas to control odors and moisture.

Why and when does it work?

Many sources report that placing a roll of toilet paper in the refrigerator can significantly help absorb unpleasant odors and excess moisture that are created, for example, when doors are opened, when strongly aromatic foods are stored in containers without lids, or when the facility is not adequately ventilated. There are also recommendations on social media and in home advice that the roll can be placed, for example, at the back of a shelf or in fruit and vegetable drawers. This is often where the most condensation occurs, leading to odours and mould.

It is also recommended to combine the paper with other absorbent substances. For example, it is a good idea to sprinkle it with baking soda to better neutralise acidic odours. However, even this ingenious trick has its limits. Experts and users often point out that common odor absorbers, such as activated charcoal or baking soda in an open bowl, effectively neutralize odors better and without taking up space.

How to use toilet paper correctly?

If you decide to try toilet paper in the fridge, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind:

• Choose neutral paper without perfume or printing so that unwanted substances are not transferred to the cold space in the fridge.
• Place the roll in the back or bottom compartments where moisture often accumulates.
• Change the paper regularly. Recommendations vary but generally state to change every 2 weeks or so depending on humidity levels and odor.

The paper method is a great short-term fix, but it doesn’t address the underlying source of odor, i.e. spoiled food or long-neglected refrigerator hygiene. Regular cleaning, removing expired food and using products with a higher absorption capacity will help to better keep your food fresh and the air in your fridge fresh and odour-free.