Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Degreaser
- All-purpose kitchen cleaner
- Cleaning cloth
- Sponge
- Lemon wedges or orange peels
- Baking soda
- Cleaning cloth
- Kitchen cleaner
- Cleaning cloth or sponge
Get Rid of Odor Sources
Step1
Boil a vinegar-and-water mixture. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 quart of water and boil on the stove for several minutes. The vapor will hit the kitchen surfaces where food odors have settled; the vinegar in the vapor will neutralize the odors.
Step2
Wipe off cooking spatters. Cooking oil, sauces and other food spatters that end up on the stove, counters and utensils are various sources of kitchen odors. Wipe off oils with paper towels. Then clean the areas with a sponge moistened with a solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid. You can also use a 50-50 vinegar solution especially on spatters from fried fish. A commercially available degreaser is also a good solution. Clean the stovetop, the spill catchers under the heating elements, and under the stovetop if it can be lifted. Pay special attention to the backsplash and range hood.
Step3
Clean the kitchen sink and garbage disposal system with odor-eliminating solutions like vinegar-and-water and baking soda followed by hot water. Grind orange peels or lemon wedges in the disposal system to remove stale odors.
Step4
Use an all-purpose kitchen cleaner or degreaser to wipe down all the kitchen area surfaces including windows, shelves and lighting fixtures. Don't forget the outsides of all the kitchen appliances like the microwave, toaster, roaster and blender.
Step5
Wash curtains, dishcloths and aprons in warm water to remove food stains and odors.
Prevent Odor Causes
Step1
Clean kitchen cabinets regularly. Cooking causes odor-carrying fumes and vapor that cling to your kitchen cabinet surfaces. Dust with a clean cloth or microfiber duster. Clean plastic, metal, laminate and glass surfaces with all-purpose household cleaner; clean hardwood cabinets according to the manufacturer's instructions. Don't forget to clean the knobs and handles.
Step2
Keep wet garbage in bins with tight lids. If possible, take perishable garbage outside the house as soon as possible and store them in secure containers.
Step3
Clean the kitchen floors after every cooking session. Food spills and dropped particles that accumulate on the floor, especially under the tables and appliances, can be major sources of odor.
Step4
Deodorize the refrigerator and freezer by cleaning them regularly. Remove old and expired food promptly. Leave an open box of baking soda in the back area of the refrigerator and freezer to absorb strong odors.
Step5
Promptly wipe up liquid spills. Especially from raw foods and dairy products.