How to get rid of cooking smells in the house: 10+ reliable methods

A clean kitchen doesn’t smell bad, so cleaning is the best way to keep it smelling fresh. “When cooking, wash the pots and utensils you use immediately – don’t keep them dirty for long. Dispose of cleaning products immediately, wipe down the table and countertops – controlling these little things will help keep odors to a minimum,” advises Stephen Yip, professional cleaner and cleaning company owner.

Ventilation of the room is no less important, but this does not mean that it is necessary to create a draft. Stephen advises opening the window and closing the doors to other rooms at the same time: this will ensure fresh air flow and prevent odors from spreading throughout the apartment. His colleague, president of the cleaning company Gretchen Boyd, also reminds that it is very important to monitor the condition of the hood: it should be cleaned at least once every six months: you can do it yourself or trust a specialist.

We all love using baking soda to clean various surfaces, but did you know that it’s a great odor absorber? Its use is very simple: pour a few spoons into a bowl and place it next to your work surface, the bicarbonate will absorb all unpleasant odors. You can go even further: instead of using candles or scented diffusers, simply add 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the baking soda.

Using hot vinegar to absorb the smell is another trick that works great. Pour a liter of water into a saucepan, add three tablespoons of 9% white vinegar, simmer for 20 minutes and the unpleasant aromas will disappear. Have they already been absorbed by textiles? Add another glass of vinegar to the solution, let the water cool to 30-40 degrees, pour it into a spray bottle and spray carpets and curtains and clean surfaces and objects that may retain odors.

Does the recipe involve lemon? This is very good: its remains will help you get rid of food odors – just wipe the skin with the remaining pulp on your hands, countertops or dishes. We associate the scent of lemon with cleanliness and freshness, so using this citrus fruit is a great way to stimulate your sense of smell.

Using natural air fresheners, such as lemon or cloves, is also possible using a saucepan: throw leftover fruit there, add spices and, for example, apples, put on the heat, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and leave on the heat. for an hour (remember to make sure the pot doesn’t switch from cooking potpourri to frying). Bonus: When you’re done scenting your home, you’ll have a few cups of delicious citrus tea left over.

According to all studies, dishcloths and sponges are among the dirtiest things in the kitchen. Due to infection with bacteria, they become sources of unpleasant odors, so do not forget to wash textiles (cleaners advise doing this every day) and change foam sponges (they must be disinfected every two to three days and discarded once a week). ).

Rosemary, mint, oregano, thyme, basil, lemon balm, parsley, sage, horehound and lavender not only smell good: they, like other plants, can purify the air. Placing pots of aromatic herbs in the kitchen is therefore a great idea: you will get fresh ingredients for cooking, get rid of unpleasant odors and add pleasant aromas to the nose.

We are confident that you ensure that all food that goes into the refrigerator is carefully packaged and the containers are tightly closed. But no matter how hard you try, crumbs or small drops can end up on the shelves, which become a source of food flavorings. In this case, using activated carbon to absorb odors is very effective: put a few tablets in a canvas bag or saucer and place them in the refrigerator.

“Never use a trash can without a lid – if the trash can doesn’t close, using fans or hoods won’t save the kitchen. Make sure the waste container is always tightly closed. Dispose of trash regularly and disinfect your trash can once a week, perhaps with a bleach solution or a mixture of vinegar and water, advises professional cleaner Mark Le.

Don’t want to bother with a pan and vinegar? There is an excellent alternative: special odor neutralizing candles that work on the same principle: they do not mask unpleasant odors, but destroy them by destroying molecules floating in the air.

It is said that this tip was invented by real estate agents: to make the rooms smell good during visits, they use vanilla. “Take a heat-resistant cup, fill it with water, add a few drops of vanilla essence and let it heat slowly in the oven. In just a few minutes, the oven itself and the whole house will smell good,” says Lynn Stapf, director of apartment cleaning services.

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