Putting a roll of toilet paper in your refrigerator might sound bizarre, but it is a surprisingly popular viral household hack.
The primary reasons people do this come down to physics and chemistry:
1. It Absorbs Excess Moisture
Refrigerators are enclosed, high-humidity environments—especially around crisper drawers. The fine, porous cellulose fibers in toilet paper (and its cardboard core) act like a sponge, pulling excess ambient moisture out of the air. By keeping the air a bit drier, it helps slow down mold and mildew growth and prevents produce from getting soggy too quickly.
2. It Traps Strong Odors
Just like baking soda, the porous nature of toilet paper allows it to trap airborne odor molecules. If you have strong-smelling foods in the fridge—like leftover onions, pungent cheeses, or meal-prepped garlic dishes—the paper acts as a passive air filter, catching those smells before they can mingle or cling to other items.
How to Do It Right (If You Want to Try It)
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Unwrap it completely: Never leave the plastic packaging on, or the paper won’t be able to “breathe” and absorb anything.
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Placement matters: Place it on a middle or upper shelf away from direct splashes or heavy moisture sources (like dripping produce drawers) so it doesn’t instantly get soaking wet.
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Swap it out regularly: Because a roll has a limited absorption capacity, you’ll need to replace it every 3 to 4 weeks. If it feels damp or heavy, it’s done its job and needs to be tossed (or some people repurpose a dry section elsewhere, though most opt for a fresh roll).
The Catch: Is It Better Than Baking Soda?
While the toilet paper trick genuinely works due to the science of cellulose fibers, many cleaning experts point out that it has drawbacks:
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Wastefulness: An open box of baking soda costs next to nothing, lasts for months, and is chemically designed to neutralize both acidic and basic odors.
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It’s a band-aid: Neither toilet paper nor baking soda will fix a fridge that smells because of a forgotten, rotting piece of food hidden in the back. Deep cleaning is always step one.
Have you tried this hack yet, or do you stick to the classic box of baking soda?
