How to Eliminate Kitchen Odors

The food preparation and cooking activities in the kitchen make it the area of the house most susceptible to generating and retaining odors. Food flavors from exotic meals, molds from expired dishes, and the musty stench from the garbage disposal are just a few of the smells that can emanate from the kitchen. Here are tips on how to eliminate kitchen odors, and ways to prevent them from taking control over your kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Degreaser
• All-purpose kitchen cleaner
• Cleaning cloth
• Sponge
• Lemon wedges or orange peels
• Kitchen cleaner
• Cleaning cloth or sponge

Instructions

Get Rid of Odor Sources

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Wash curtains, dishcloths and aprons in warm water to remove food stains and odors.

Prevent Odor Causes

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Promptly wipe up liquid spills. Especially from raw foods and dairy products.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of boiling vinegar-and-water on the stovetop, make it a double-whammy task by "brewing" the vinegar-and-water solution in your coffeemaker. You not only eliminate your kitchen odors, you clean your coffeemaker as well.

• Weather permitting, open windows and switch on a fan to circulate fresh air into the kitchen.

• Expired raw meats, seafood and fruit peels give out a strong stench. Seal them in plastic bags and dispose of them right away.

• If pets share the kitchen, always keep their dishes and eating areas clean and tidy.

• Check under the sink for water leaks that could cause smelly molds and mildew.

• Check under the refrigerator for dropped food that will decay, and around garbage bins for stray trash that will become foul.

• Clean garbage cans regularly. Sprinkle baking soda into the can before putting a plastic bag liner to control odors.

Resources

• Food Safety and Health: Cleaning and Kitchen Food Safety
• Creative Homemaking: Simple Cleaning Ideas for Kitchen Appliances