Monsoon brings not only cool breezes and chai weather but also excess fridge moisture, strange odours, and spoiled food. One of the simplest yet most effective tricks to tackle this is placing a bowl of salt in the fridge during monsoon. It sounds old-school, but it actually works! Salt is a natural dehumidifier and odour neutraliser. It absorbs excess moisture, keeps fruits and veggies fresher for longer, and even prevents bacterial growth. If your refrigerator smells musty or food’s spoiling too fast, this one-ingredient fix could be your monsoon saviour. Here’s why you should try it and how to do it right.

Salt keeps the fridge fresh and dry during monsoon

Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally pulls moisture from the air. When you place a bowl of coarse salt in your fridge, it helps soak up the extra humidity caused by monsoon air. This keeps the fridge environment drier, which slows down bacterial growth, mould formation, and weird food smells.

It neutralises bad fridge odours naturally

The reason your fridge smells funky during monsoon? All that trapped moisture creates a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Salt doesn’t just absorb moisture, it also absorbs odours. It neutralises smelly gases released from leftovers, fruits, and cheese without the need for artificial fridge fresheners or chemicals.

Salt keeps vegetables and fruits fresh for longer

High humidity in the fridge leads to soggy lettuce, slimy spinach, and fast-ripening fruits. By placing a bowl of salt in one corner, you lower the surrounding moisture level. This helps prevent premature spoilage and extends the shelf life of fresh produce, especially greens and berries.

Salt helps your fridge stay energy-efficient

Too much moisture in the fridge makes the compressor work harder. That means higher electricity bills and frost build-up in the corners. By absorbing moisture, salt reduces fridge workload and improves efficiency. It also helps reduce the need for frequent defrosting during the monsoon.

How to place salt in the fridge correctly

Use coarse salt (like rock salt or sea salt), and pour 100–150 grams into a shallow open bowl. Place it in a corner or bottom shelf away from direct spills. Change the salt every 10–15 days or once it starts clumping. Don’t cover it; let it breathe.Keeping a bowl of salt in your fridge during the monsoon is a cheap, natural, and super effective hack. It reduces odours, humidity, and spoilage, making your food last longer and your fridge run better. Give it a try this season and thank us later!Also read | Snake fruit: Nutrition, health benefits, and culinary uses of salak