Creating delicious foods in the kitchen is all exciting until the food aromas decide to call it home. Waking up to a heavy stink of the fish and garlic you had last night is no one’s cup of tea. To some extent, this can be nauseating and almost ruin your entire day. This is especially so if a blend of food smells have accumulated for a few days. However, this is not a life sentence. You do not have to endure it.
Kitchen hacks definitely make life easier and your kitchen better. It’s time to add some kitchen odors eliminating hacks to the list. Your nose will definitely thank you for it.
Top 10 Ways to Get Rid Of Lingering Odors
10. Aromatherapy
Sometimes, introducing new and pleasant aromas might be the easiest way to get rid of musky smells that are lingering on. In this case, baking some butter, cinnamon or ginger cookies might be the quickest fix to this kitchen menace.
You could also boil some orange and lemon rind for an hour until the aroma fills the room. This is definitely a much better smell as opposed to a fishy stink from last night’s dinner
9. Air Out the Kitchen
You’d be surprised to learn that most people do not fully utilize their windows and doors. If you want food odors out by the time you finish dinner then simply open all the doors and windows in the kitchen. This should be done as the cooking process is going on in order for it to be blown out and replaced by clean air. Leave the doors open after cooking and even after washing the dishes. Allow the natural fresh air to circulate in the kitchen for an hour or two after cooking. Kitchen odors will never be a bother.
8. Lemon Rub Tactic
Some foods naturally have strong odors for instance fish. In this case, you will find yourself combating the overwhelming smell long after the meal. Every surface that came into contact with the fish will be left with the smell; chopping board, sink, marinating bowl, knife, cooking pot, apron and even your hands. One of the easiest ways to get rid of these smells is rubbing a slice of lemon on them. Finally, wash the utensils the normal way and rinse. You can add a little bit of lemon juice to the final rinsing water.
7. Invest in an Air Purifier
If you do not have the time to invest in DIY kitchen hacks then invest in an air purifier. This is a worthy investment especially if you’ve been dealing with odors for a long time. This appliance is designed to automatically clean the air around your home. It will effectively get rid of kitchen odors as well as the air circulating in all the other rooms. At the end of the day, the house will be smelling fresh and clean 24/7. The best thing about an air purifier is that it rids the air off dust, pollen and pet dander in the process.
6. Watch the Oil Build Up
It may not appear filthy but your kitchen actually accumulates a lot of slime. The grease and oil stains will settle on surfaces around the kitchen: surfaces, fan, floors and even ceilings. Oil evaporates and condenses on cooler surfaces. The longer these are left unattended, the more the food odor in the room. What makes it worse is that the odor is from a combination of different meals which makes it worse. In this case, make it a habit to clean your kitchen regularly using warm soapy water especially if it’s busy.
5. Scented Candles
Would you like to give your kitchen it’s own signature scent? Well, you’d be pleased to learn that scented candles will actually do that a more. A candle or two is also effective in getting rid of food odors around the home. Simply light one or two of your favorite scented candles after cooking and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. For better results, make this a daily practice.
4. Clean the Fridge
This electronic food cabinet can harbor a lot of food odors. Think about it. In it, you’ll find cooked leftovers, raw vegetables, fruits, beverages, cheeses, meats, dairy and so much more. This is definitely bound to create a serious tornado of odors especially if you rarely clean the refrigerator. Ensure that none of the food stays in there longer than it should. By all means, avoid cross contamination and clean the refrigerator often. Store all foods individually in airtight containers or ziplock bags. Throw a piece of charcoal in there as it absorbs foul smells.
3. Soak Chopping Boards
Chopping boards are notorious for harboring food smells. This is especially so for wooden boards. Everything that needs chopping, slicing or dicing goes through this vital kitchen equipment. Therefore, expect odors from onions, parsley, ginger, garlic and so many other heavily aromatic foods to linger. After using the board, soak it in some warm water to rinse out the odors. If not you’ll always notice a foul smell lingering around especially where the board is.
2. De-Stink your Sink
The sink is one of the most overlooked items in the kitchen whenever a stink is detected. Sometimes, foul odor from food residues may climb up and invade the air in your kitchen. To clean the disposer, grind some ice cubes in it. If you have a rubber gasket, thoroughly clean it on both sides before putting it back. For a basic sink, pour half a cup of baking soda in there and run warm tap water for a few minutes.
1. Throw the Trash Out
This is the number one factor leading to smelly kitchens. It is quite easy to overlook a filling trash bin at the corner of the kitchen especially when you’re busy. As soon as you get a sniff of the trash, take it out immediately. If there were leaks and spills, wipe the bin down with tissues and spray some disinfectant.
Kitchens are notorious for harboring odors from different foods. If not well handled, the stink especially in utensils will be evident in the food. Keeping your kitchen sanitary and fresh smelling is mandatory for your health an that of your family. Remember, the longer the lingering food odor is left, the harder getting rid of it will be.
