Apartment living has its perks—like not having to mow a lawn or shovel snow. But one downside is that cooking smells can linger, especially if your unit doesn’t have great ventilation.
There’s nothing worse than coming home to the smell of boiled cabbage wafting through your apartment complex.
Not only is it gross, but it’s also a surefire way to make your neighbors hate you.
Before you resort to eating out all the time (adventurous welcome), try one of these effective ways to get rid of cooking smells.
Shut the Door
The first thing you can do is to make sure you’re shutting the door to your kitchen when you’re cooking. This will help to contain the smell within your apartment and prevent it from seeping out into the hallway. Additionally, if you have a range hood, make sure it’s turned on and vented to the outside—this will help to remove any odors before they have a chance to spread.
Use Fans or Open Windows
Another way to prevent cooking smells from spreading in your apartment is by using fans or opening windows. This will help to circulate the air and dissipate any odors before they have a chance to become too concentrated. Just be sure to close any windows once you’re finished cooking so that bugs don’t come in!
Neutralize Odors with Household Items
If you find that odors are still managing to spread despite taking the above precautions, there are a few household items you can use to help neutralize them. Vinegar, charcoal briquettes, citrus fruits, and baking soda are all effective at absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant smells. Just be sure not to use too much—you don’t want your apartment smelling like vinegar!
Invest in an Air Sanitizer or Air Purifier
If you find that nothing else seems to be working, investing in an air sanitizer or HEPA-filtered air purifier can also be effective at reducing odors. These devices work by filtering out airborne contaminants—including cooking odors—from the air, leaving your apartment smelling fresh and clean. Just be sure to change the filters regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
An air purifier won’t necessarily eliminate all cooking smells (we’re not magicians), but it can help “scrub” the air and make your kitchen feel fresher overall. Look for an air purifier with activated carbon filters—these are specifically designed to remove things like smoke and odors from the air.
Some even come with scent cartridges so you can choose a light, pleasant fragrance to diffuse while you cook. Top chefs rely on their sense of smell, so why shouldn’t you?
Set the correct Fridge Temperature
If your fridge is smelling less than pleasant, there are a few things that could be causing the issue.
One of the most common causes of fridge smells is expired food. If your fridge is starting to stink, take a look inside and see if there are any items that have passed their expiration date. Tossing expired food is a quick and easy way to get rid of fridge smells.
Another potential cause of fridge smells is an improper fridge temperature. Your fridge should be set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in order to prevent the growth of bacteria. If your fridge is set too high, bacteria will start to grow and cause unpleasant odors. Adjusting your fridge temperature is a simple solution to this problem.
Lemon Down the Sink Drain
Lemons are great for more than just making a mean cup of lemonade; they can also help get rid of cooking smells. When you’re finished cooking, cut a lemon in half and rub it around the inside rim of your sink. Leave the halves in the sink overnight, then run hot water down the drain in the morning. The citrus smell will permeate your kitchen and hopefullyneutralize any lingering odors.
Clean the Garbage
First, make sure to wipe down the inside of your garbage can and recycling bin every time you take out the trash. This will help to remove any lingering smells. Second, use an odor-eliminating spray like Lysol or your own homemade version. This will help to keep any new odors from taking hold. Finally, be sure to empty your garbage can and recycling bin on a regular basis. By following these simple tips, you can keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
Squeeze out sponge
The first thing you can do is make sure you’re squeezing out your sponges after every use. This will help get rid of any extra water that’s sitting in the sponge and causing it to start growing bacteria. You should also try to store your sponges in a place that gets good air flow. This will help them dry out between uses and prevent that musty smell from developing.
If your sponges are already starting to smell bad, don’t worry! There are still things you can do to freshen them up. One option is to pop them in the dishwasher. Just run them through a normal cycle and they should come out smelling clean and fresh.
Reusable cooking odor eliminator deodorizer pouch.
If you love to cook but hate the lingering smells, then a reusable cooking odor eliminator deodorizer pouch is just what you need. These pouches are filled with activated charcoal, which is known for its ability to absorb odors. Simply place one in your kitchen, and it will help to trap cooking odors before they have a chance to escape.
The best part is that the pouches can be reused over and over again, so you can enjoy fresh-smelling air without any waste. Whether you’re cooking a big meal or just heating up leftovers, a reusable cooking odor eliminator deodorizer pouch is a simple and effective way to keep your kitchen smelling great.
Conclusion:
Cooking smells can be a real nuisance, especially if they manage to escape from your kitchen and spread throughout your apartment complex. But by taking some simple precautions such as shutting doors, using fans or opening windows, and neutralizing odors with household items: you can help to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place.
If all else fails, investing in an air sanitizer or HEPA-filtered air purifier can also be effective at keeping cooking smells at bay.
