Ice cubes stink or smell bad? We have had this issue ourselves. We will tell you the causes of bad smelling ice cubes and provide solutions to fix this problem. The primary reason for bad-smelling ice cubes is often the water supply or a dirty water filter. Contaminated water, filled with impurities and minerals, can cause an unpleasant odor in the ice produced by your ice maker.
How to fix ice cubes that smell bad?
How To Fix Bad Smelling Ice Cubes
Check Your Water Supply
Check the quality of your water supply. You can do this by running tap water into a glass, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then smelling and tasting it. If your tap water has an unpleasant smell or taste, this could be the cause of your bad-smelling ice cubes. In such cases, consider installing a water filtration system or using a water filter pitcher to improve the quality of your water supply.
Clean Your Ice Maker
Regularly cleaning your ice maker is essential for maintaining its performance and preventing bad-smelling ice cubes. To clean your ice maker, follow these steps:
- Turn off and unplug the ice maker.
- Remove and empty the ice bin.
- Mix a solution of warm water and mild dish soap.
- Use a soft cloth or sponge to clean the ice maker’s interior surfaces, including the ice chute and ice bin.
- Rinse the ice maker with clean water and dry it thoroughly.
- Reassemble the ice maker and plug it back in.
Remove ice cubes in ice maker and clean it
Replace the Water Filter
If your ice maker has a water filter, it’s crucial to replace it regularly, as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. A dirty water filter can cause bad-smelling ice cubes by allowing contaminants to pass through into the ice. To replace the water filter, follow the instructions provided in your ice maker’s user manual.
Remove Stale Ice
If your ice cubes are stale and have absorbed odors from the freezer, it’s essential to remove them and replace them with fresh ice. To do this, simply empty the ice bin, clean it and allow the ice maker to produce fresh ice.
Control Freezer Odors
To prevent food odors from affecting the smell of your ice cubes, consider the following tips:
- Store strong-smelling foods in airtight containers.
- Regularly clean your refrigerator and freezer to keep them odor-free.
- Use baking soda or an odor-absorbing product to neutralize odors in your freezer.
- Tips for Preventing Bad-Smelling Ice Cubes
Dirty Ice Maker
A dirty ice maker is another common cause of bad smelling ice cubes. Over time, the ice maker can accumulate dirt, dust, and grime, which can affect the quality and smell of the ice it produces.
Stale Ice
Ice cubes that have been stored in the ice maker for a long time can become stale and absorb odors from the air inside the freezer. These odors can transfer to your ice cubes, causing them to smell bad.
Mold and Bacteria Growth
Mold and bacteria can grow inside your ice maker, especially in damp and dark conditions. These microorganisms can produce unpleasant odors and cause your ice cubes to smell bad.
Food Odors in the Freezer
Strong-smelling foods, such as onions and garlic, can release odors that are absorbed by the ice in your ice maker. These odors can cause your ice cubes to smell and taste bad.
Maintain a clean ice maker
- Replace the water filter regularly if your ice maker has one.
- Use a high-quality water supply, such as filtered water or water from a filtration system.
- Store ice cubes in a sealed container to prevent them from absorbing odors.
- Keep your freezer clean and odor-free.
Have a tip to keep your freezer and ice cubes smelling fresh? Leave a comment below.
We have a copper line and a filter which tells us when it is time to change (every six months) and our ice maker still has a horrendous smell. What’s the next step aside from getting a new fridge?
why didn’t Whirlpool put cooper tubing instead of putting plastic knowing it will cause health issue. Sounds to me like a recall?????
Do I have to replace the whole system if my ice maker doesn’t have a water filter? My fridge is: Model No. PLHT219TCK5
Thanks for the GREAT information.
Just put a new SUB ZERO in and installed one of those flexible stainless lines.
Never had the problem before.
After a few weeks started to get bad Odor and taste.
Tried everything and nothing worked.
I read your post and changed to copper and it corrected problem.
The musty ice comes from the new flexible lines used to attach to the ice/water. They are usually flexible stainless (woven in appearance). These lines are lined with rubber. The rubber holds the bad odor and taste. Change the line to PVC or copper. Problem solved! I tried ALL other suggestions, even spending over $100 in new filters, until a fellow at Lowe’s told me this fix. He said they have numerous complaints about this since plumbers stopped using copper.
Trust me, this is the problem.