How to Eliminate Bad Smells In The Kitchen

Last Updated: November 18, 2022 References

Cooking can cause pungent odors to be distributed throughout your house. The act of heating food ingredients can produce odors, some of which might be unpleasant. One way to limit unwanted odors is to respond quickly because the smell can worsen with time. Vigilant cleaning, good ventilation, and proper use of odor-controlling chemicals will help control the odors generated in the kitchen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Odor-Conscious Cleanup

1
Clean your kitchen as you cook. Disposing of spills down the drain or in the garbage can will prevent them from becoming stuck on the counter or prevalent in the air.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Rinse and do dishes while you cook or immediately after. Do large pots and pans by hand or place them in the dishwasher. If the dishes need to soak, place them in the sink with some soap and hot water right after you use them, to decrease the amount of time the cooked food or burnt bottom can be pungent.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Remove used cooking oil or frying oil from the house immediately after you use it. If you are cooking with oil, fish, garlic, onions or other pungent odors, place a small wastebasket or plastic bag close by. Use this garbage for scraps that should be taken out immediately after food preparation.
4
Clean all counters, cabinets, and floors of residue. Make a plan to wipe down surfaces while you cook and to deep clean weekly. Grease spots will attract more food, leading to more kitchen odors if left too long.^{[3]
X
Research source}
5
Throw away your sponges weekly. Wash your dishtowels, potholders, and rugs every week. All these items can get wet and breed bacteria or mold.^{[4]
X
Research source}
6
Place your leftovers inside plastic or glass containers immediately. Close the containers and place them in the refrigerator. This will help to prevent food smells from permeating into the house.^{[5]
X
Research source}
7
Install a vent in your ceiling, above your stove. Not only do ventilation systems remove bad odors, but they also improve the quality of the air in your kitchen. Unless you are experienced with home construction, you will need to get a consultation and advice from a professional venting company.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you cannot afford to install a range hood or fan above your range, open your windows. Although this is not possible in all climes, cooking with the windows open will remove bad odors and allow them to drift outside, rather than through the house.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Appliance Aromas

1
Place an opened box of baking soda in your refrigerator to remove smells from your refrigerator at a constant interval. The alkaline substance will help to neutralize acidic smells from fish, sticky spills and some leftovers. The box of baking soda should be replaced every 30 days, because the top of the baking soda can crust over as it absorbs moisture, limiting its absorption process.^{[7]
X
Research source} Alternatively, you can use a commercial freshening product.
2
Clean out your refrigerator if you cannot find where a smell is coming from. It is likely to be emanating from things that have been in there over a week. Clean out your refrigerator every week to avoid "mystery smells".^{[8]
X
Research source}
3
Clean out your food disposal every week. Flush the food down with water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, to make sure it travels all the way down your pipes.^{[9]
X
Research source} Pulse your disposal with ice cubes and lemon wedges every week to get rid of stuck food, and then rinse thoroughly.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Treating Pungent Smells

1
Place 3 bowls of vinegar around your kitchen, if it is filled with cooking smells. The sour smell of the vinegar will only last 10 to 15 minutes before it starts to eliminate the odors. Leave the bowls for 6 to 12 hours for best results.^{[11]
X
Research source}
2
Treat severe odors by heating up vinegar on the stove. Fill a saucepan with 1 part water and 1 part vinegar. Place orange and lemon peels in the water to create a more pleasant scent.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Simmer the mixture for 1 to 2 hours. Turn off the stove and allow the pot to sit overnight. Dispose of the mixture in the morning.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get bad smells out of my house?

Community Answer

If you know what it is, try to clean it. If not, spray your whole house with a spray that will make it smell better or try to clean whatever it is with bleach, and follow the other steps in the article.
Question

We spilled a can of bacon fat in the refrigerator. We cleaned everything but now there is a horrible nauseous odor. How do we get rid of the smell?

Community Answer

Use vinegar and lemon juice and then leave the fridge door wide open for a day to naturally air it out.