1. ALWAYS KEEP SURFACES CLEAN
It goes without saying, but the easiest way to ensure your kitchen always smells fresh is by adopting a proper cleaning routine.
2. CLEAN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND SINK TRAPS
One of the worst offenders when it comes to lingering odors in the kitchen is your garbage disposal and sink traps. The former needs no explanation, and while the latter is regularly rinsed with water, grime and grease can quickly accumulate leading to a foul-smelling space.
'To keep your disposal and sink traps smelling fresh, create lemon ice cubes,' suggests Will Cotter, CEO of Happy Cleans. 'Fill an ice cube tray with sliced lemon, rock salt, and water, then freeze. Once frozen, drop a couple of cubes into the disposal or sink and run it as usual. The rock salt helps clean while the lemon juice fights bacteria and leaves a pleasant scent.'
3. REFRESH BACKSPLASHES WITH LEMON JUICE
By virtue of their being, kitchen backsplashes become a magnet for grease splatters. They might not be the first place you think of when it comes to dirty kitchen smells, but left unclean they soon harbor bacteria, leading to those bad smells.
4. ALLOW WET CLOTHS TIME TO DRY
Kitchens are full of cloths and towels that soon become damp, and as we all know, there's no scent more pungent than that of a damp towel. 'Ensuring wet items like sponges, dishcloths, and rugs are dried properly prevents mildew odors,' Will says. 'After you've used them - or had any spills - always give them a bit of time to dry. Hang them up, spread them out, and let them breathe – it's a little step that makes a big difference.'
On a similar note, don't let dirty dish cloths build up. Stay on top of musky smells by laundering them regularly. 'Ensure they remain sweet-smelling by regularly washing with scented detergents,' suggests Karina. 'This simple step not only prevents lingering odors on fabric but also adds a hint of pleasant fragrance.'
5. INCORPORATE NATURAL ODOR ELIMINATORS
Masking scents with sweet-smelling fragrances is one thing, but banishing odors altogether is another. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to trap and remove odors from your kitchen, and you'll be pleased to hear that they're mostly simple and inexpensive solutions.
6. MOP FLOORS WITH SCENTED PRODUCTS
No matter how strict your cleaning schedule, your kitchen flooring is one of the dirtiest parts of your home. To keep your space smelling sweet, mop floors regularly with fragranced detergents and you're bound to notice the difference.
'For this, embrace environmentally friendly cleaning products that boast delightful fragrances,' says Ben Gold, real estate agent and founder of Recommended Home Buyers. 'These products not only combat germs effectively but also impart a gentle and welcoming scent.' Mix up the scent each time you buy a new bottle to avoid going nose-blind!
Ria of Utama Spice recommends their natural surface cleaner for the job. 'It has absolutely no chemicals and cuts through grease and oil,' she says.
7. VENTILATE THE KITCHEN
Last but not least, keep your kitchen well-ventilated to stay on top of smells, especially while cooking. 'Adequate ventilation plays a pivotal role in eliminating cooking odors,' says Ben. 'Keep windows open while cooking or explore the option of introducing an air purifier designed for kitchens to ensure clean and fresh air circulation.' Remember to turn on any built-in extraction fans, too.