How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in your Kitchen

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, where delicious meals are cooked and memories are made. But it's no secret that cooking can sometimes lead to lingering odours that can be less than pleasant. Whether it's the smell of last night's dinner or the remnants of a particularly pungent, spicy ingredient, dealing with unwanted kitchen odours is a common challenge for many people. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to prevent these odours from lingering and keep your kitchen smelling fresh and inviting. Here are our 5 Effective Ways to Prevent Lingering Kitchen Odours:

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1. Proper Ventilation

One of the most straightforward ways to prevent kitchen odours from lingering is by ensuring proper ventilation. Installing a range hood with a vent that directs air to the outside can help remove cooking odours, steam, and grease from the air, preventing them from settling into your kitchen and surrounding areas. If you don't have a range hood, opening windows and using fans while cooking can also help improve airflow and reduce odours.

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2. Clean as You Cook

Another effective way to prevent lingering kitchen odours is to clean as you cook. Wiping down countertops, washing dishes, and disposing of food scraps in sealed-lidded bins as you prepare your meals can help prevent odours from building up and lingering in your kitchen. Cleaning up spills and splatters promptly can prevent them from becoming sources of unwanted odours later. Having an easy nonporous, back-splash of glass or smooth tiles to wipe down is a big advantage. Walls painted with a wash'n'wear paint will be good too, and don't forget a regular floor wash.

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3. Use Natural Odour Absorbers

Natural odour absorbers, such as baking soda, vinegar, and activated charcoal, can be effective at neutralising and absorbing odours in the kitchen. Placing an open container of baking soda or a bowl of vinegar on your countertop can help absorb odours from cooking, while activated charcoal filters in your range hood can help remove odours from the air. You can also try simmering citrus peels, cloves, or cinnamon sticks in water on the stove to help infuse your kitchen with a pleasant aroma while neutralising odours.

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4. Deep Clean Your Appliances

It's never anyone's favourite job, but kitchen appliances, like refrigerators, ovens, and microwaves, can harbour odours if not cleaned regularly. Taking the time to deep clean your appliances, including removing and cleaning fridge shelves and drawers, don't forget the rubber door seals, scrubbing oven interiors, and wiping down microwave interiors, can help prevent odours from lingering and ensure that your appliances function properly. Check your manufacturer's guidelines for the best cleaning methods for your appliances. 

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5. Use Odour-Eliminating Products

Finally, using specialised odour-eliminating products can help tackle stubborn kitchen odours and keep your kitchen smelling fresh. Products such as air purifiers, odour-absorbing gels, and scented candles or diffusers can help neutralise or mask odours and replace them with pleasant scents. Additionally, using odour-neutralising sprays or fabric fresheners on kitchen fabrics such as curtains, rugs, and upholstery can help keep odours at bay.

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Dealing with lingering kitchen odours can be a frustrating experience, but with the right strategies, you can keep your kitchen smelling pleasant. By ensuring proper ventilation, cleaning as you cook is really important, using natural odour absorbers, deep cleaning your appliances, and using odour-eliminating products, you can effectively prevent kitchen odours from lingering and enjoy a clean and odour-free cooking environment. Also, remember to use airtight containers to prevent odours from spreading and dispose of any spoiling food promptly. With these simple tips, you can make your kitchen a more enjoyable space for cooking, dining, and spending time with loved ones.

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If, after all of those steps, you still have persistent odours, it might be time to call in your local JAE team for professional odour treatment. Our technicians are trained to identify the factors that contribute to odour problems and use a variety of advanced commercial-grade equipment to deal with odours. So, if you’ve got a bad smell that just won't go away, give JAE a call, and we’ll take care of it!

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For other odour prevention tips, please see our article on How can I Prevent Bad Smells in My House and How to Get Rid of Home Odours.