The heat intensifies several sensations in our lives, and the kitchen smell is not an exception. If you thought that the summer heat would only raise your mercury thermometer, it’s not! The ample supply of sun results in venting odors that you would rather keep bottled up indoors.
Unfortunately, it gets worse depending on the property of the food inside the kitchen as it can decompose or spoil. If not dealt with, stale oily scents can turn your entire kitchen, and the house for that matter, into a nauseating hole – but don’t sweat it, the solution is only a couple of tweaks away.
In this article, I’ll explain how to get rid of obnoxious scents with routine scrub downs, as well as seasonal ones aimed at keeping your domain clean and welcoming. If you’re planning a summer barbeque or a family get together, relax, these strategies provide fast and easy answers to beat the heat.
What Causes The Worst Smells in Hot Weather?
The Connection Between Heat and Humid Weather’s Effect on Kitchen Odors
Extreme heat isn’t known to be cruel solely to our emotions, it can also be merciless to cooks. Resting at home and feeling sluggish during hot afternoons? Ever notice the stale scent flooding your house? Us too. Ominous temps speed up the comatose state we experience post noon, alongside allowing odor generating bacteria to reproduce exponentially and all on a cloudy overheated day.
To top it all off, the hot summer provides humidity meaning it becomes easier for mold and mildew to blossom in disgusting places, like the drains or the neverending black hole of kitchens. Rotten food combined with damp air means trouble.
Most Likely Causes of a Kitchen Odor in the Summer
- Spoilt Food: Leftover food, produce and other neglected items in the freezer can become hotspots for bacterial infection!
- Spoiling Trash and Compost: Any food scraps and organic matter can start putrefying quickly in the summer heat and can lead to bad odor.
- Garbage Disposal: Worn out food bits trapped within the disposal unit can also decompose and start smelling after a while.
- Rancid Spillage: Juices, milk and other sauces spillt on appliances can turn sour and rancid pretty fast.
- Cooking Taken to an Entirely New Level: Grease on gas cooktops, ovens or counter-topszin and around burning units and elements often emit odor to the air.
Ways to Stop Yourself from Kitchen Odors on a Daily Basis
Get Yourself a Timamente for a Smell-Free Kitchen!
Odor prevents, done on a constant basis is done when equal efforts are put to build and break daily cleaning habits. Following a set of daily cleaning tasks can greatly help reduce unwanted smells. Consider oil change services or even better change kitchen habits.
Do a Quick Clean-Uppost Meal
- Countertops and stovetops should be wiped after any grease or food residue prior to plating.
- Having floors without crumbs ensures there are no impending pests and so one should sweep or vacuum their floor.
- Compulsory collecting and disposal of waste from the dustbin should be done with decaying waste.
Food Marking Management
- Leave your perishable food products in sealable containers to slow their spoilage.
- Try as freeze until that days scheduled garbage collection meat scraps and veg peelings.
- Avoid strong food scents by utilizing baking soda in the fridge.
Effective Products to Keep Your Kitchen Smelling Fresh
Best Natural and Commercial Solutions for Kitchen Odor Control
Natural Odor Absorbers
- Activated Charcoal: Keep charcoal bags in problem areas like under the sink or near trash bins.
- Baking Soda: Place a bowl on the countertop that will absorb smells.
- Lemon and Vinegar: Add a few lemon slices and a bit of vinegar to a pot of water, heat it to refresh the aroma in the area.
Commercial Odor Removers
- Odor Neutralizing Sprays: Check the kitchen section of the store for food safes sprays meant for counter tops and garbage disposals.
- Plug in air fresheners: Go for scents that are fresh and citrusy and effectively cover up the kitchen’s unpleasant smells.
- Scented trash bags: Get trash bags that come with odor control features meant for food waste smells.
Cleaning Kitchen for Strong Smells
Parts to Deep Clean Your Kitchen
In case there are areas that require more than just the daily wipe downs, you’ll have to do a deep clean.
Steps to Clean Drains and Garbage Disposals
- Flush with Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar:
- 1/2 a cup of sodium bicarbonate is to be poured down to clean the drain.
- Pour a cup of vinegar and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Flush out with boiling water to clean any debris and bacteria.
- For the Disposal Use Cubes of Ice and Lemon:
- Vinegar and lemon slices are to be frozen in ice cube trays.
- The cubes are to be run through the disposal in order to sharpen and freshen the blades.
Maintenance of Refrigerator and Freezer
- Immediate Cleaning of Spills: the sponge should blot up the spill right after it happens to prevent subsequent odors
- Odor Absorbers Usage: A box of baking soda should be open and kept in both the freezer and fridge.
- Check Expiration Dates: Obsolete food should be taken from plain sight constantly so there will be no odor holding pungent scents.
Ways to Maintain Freshness in the Kitchen For Summer Season
Ways to Eliminate Kitchen Odor Specifically For Summer
Use Fresh Herbs For Freshness Naturally
- Basil, Mint, and Rosemary: Allow mint and whisks of cooked wisely fern to grow in smalls pots placed as decoration on window sills. This not only adds nice scent but they can also be used in dishes.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Freeze Leftovers
- During hot seasons do not keep leftovers in the fridge for over 2-3 days.
- To lock in odors and ensure maximum freshness, use freezer-safe containers.
Maintain Airflow and Ventilation
Ensure windows are opened both during and after cooking to allow odors to escape.
Use fans to keep air circulating and to prevent stagnant, musty odors.
Purchase an air purifier with a HEPA filter to eliminate airborne odors and allergens.
Section summary and practical checklist.
| Task | Frequency | Product/Method |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe down surfaces | After every meal | Antibacterial wipes or vinegar spray |
| Clean drains and disposal | Weekly | Baking soda and vinegar |
| Take out trash and compost | Daily | Scented trash bags |
| Air out kitchen | After cooking | Open windows, use fans |
| Replace fridge odor absorber | Monthly | Baking soda |
Conclusion
Maintaining a fresh-smelling kitchen during hot weather doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By establishing daily cleaning habits, using natural odor absorbers, and keeping up with seasonal maintenance, you can effectively control unpleasant smells and enjoy a more inviting kitchen space.
What are your go-to tricks for keeping your kitchen smelling fresh in summer? Share your tips in the comments below!
