Why people across Spain are putting a toilet roll in their fridge

If you happen to be round a friends house and they ask you to grab the salad from the fridge, don’t be alarmed if you spot a roll of toilet paper nestled in between the milk and tomatoes. This isn’t an oversight, it’s a cheap life hack that households across Spain are using to tackle dampness and lingering odours.

Why a loo roll belongs next to the yoghurt

Anyone who is living or staying in Spain for any amount of time knows the fridge has to work overtime. Warm air rushes in each time the door swings open, and with fresh foods adding moisture of their own, damp builds up, and before long that mystery whiff of last week’s fish arrives.

Toilet paper is made of porous cellulose, so it acts like a sponge, soaking up excess humidity and trapping some of the tiny particles that carry odours. Fans of the loo roll hack add that less condensation means less chance of mould. Some hospitality workers also say they have used the method in industrial fridges.

How to try it at home

Choose a clean, dry roll without perfume or dye, as scented paper could pass smells onto your food. Place it at the back, where moisture tends to gather. Half a roll is enough, and kitchen paper works too, if not better as it can absorb even more.

For an even stronger version you can dampen the sides of the roll with a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water, which helps neutralise stubborn smells. Swap it for a fresh one about every three weeks, or sooner if it feels damp.

What it can’t do

Experts are keen to point out that this is a helpful extra, not a miracle cure. Benefits are modest, and a roll will not rescue a fridge that needs attention. Switch it off, empty it and wipe it down at least once a month, and bear in mind that worn door seals can also let moisture in.

It’s worth a shot if you have a pongy damp fridge, what have you got to lose? It’s cheap, chemical free and could be a game changer.