The most common reason for a fishy odor is usually bacteria or mold build-up and microscopic algae. All of these come from spores in the air that find their way on air currents into the unit. Cleaning the unit will usually remove the fishy odor resulting from the growth of these spores.
How do I stop my air cooler from smelling like fish?
So how do you get rid of the fish smell and clean a cooler? After thoroughly rinsing the cooler, drop one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and a quarter to half cup of baking soda into the cooler. Add a generous spray of water and scrub using a green dish scrubbing pad.
What do you do when your swamp cooler smells like fish?
- If your swamp cooler smells murky or has a damp, stale odor, it’s time to replace the cooling pads. Over time, the pad material can develop mold and mildew, which emits a fishy or “swamp”-like smell.
- It’s also important to thoroughly drain and clean the water reservoir and replace it with fresh water before every use.
