Simple Strategies to Help You Keep Your Kitchen Smelling Fresh

TikTok’s Cleantok section reveals every angle of cleaning. Many people believe that their home is clean, but would your guests agree? Though your home may be clean enough for you, is it clean enough for your guest? Most people are nose blind to odors in their own homes, especially in their kitchens. The tips and tricks in this article will help eliminate odors in your kitchen that your guests may notice.

Deep Clean Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is often overlooked when cleaning and maintaining the kitchen. A garbage disposal can quickly develop an unpleasant odor due to the accumulation of gunk and grime. Once a month, you should clean your garbage disposal to prevent this problem because bacteria like to grow in dark, moist places. 

TheSpruce.com suggests using ice and rock salt or vinegar to clean out your garbage disposal. By using ice, you can dislodge the buildup inside your garbage disposal. 

In order to clean the garbage disposal with ice and rock salt, you need to fill it up with ice first. Add a cup of rock salt (or vinegar) to the garbage disposal next. Grind up the ice with the garbage disposal while the faucet is running. You will need to repeat these steps until the garbage disposal is clean. 

Never place your hand into a garbage disposal without disconnecting it from its power source first, to avoid accidental injuries. 

You can create a fresh scent by grinding up orange peels or using lemons after the garbage disposal has been cleaned with ice and salt. 

RELATED: 10 Instant Cures For Every Kitchen Odor

Clean Out Your Fridge Often

A refrigerator full of old, expired food can also cause unwanted kitchen odors. These foods emit an odor that is collected in the fridge, resulting in a smelly kitchen. Additionally, a dirty and cluttered refrigerator will have to work harder to keep its contents cool, which will result in higher energy usage. Clean and organized refrigerators will run more efficiently and have better air circulation. 

You can avoid these kinds of odors by cleaning out your fridge regularly with vinegar and keeping it fresh by using an odor eliminator like baking soda. 

Purge your fridge of old leftovers and expired items on or before your grocery shopping day. In order to safely remove the remaining food items and clean the fridge, RealHomes.com recommends using insulated cool bags and ice packs. After placing the food items in cool bags with ice packs, clean the fridge. 

Make sure to clean up any crumbs in the fridge. After all of the crumbs have been removed, give the fridge shelves and drawers a good wipe-down with vinegar and water solution. Remember to wipe the fridge walls and seals as well. A paste made from baking soda, dish soap, and water can be used to scrub tough stains off the fridge interior. 

Once the refrigerator has been cleaned, buff the surfaces dry. You should also keep a filtered box of baking soda (or two) in the fridge and change it every month. Allow the fridge to cool for a while after cleaning to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for your food. Once the fridge has cooled, restock it with food. 

Steam Away Microwave Odors

Without using harsh chemicals, steam cleaning a microwave can remove food bits and odors. As steam kills most bacteria, it loosens food bits, making it easier to clean the microwave. 

Steaming your microwave is as easy as filling a mug or microwave-safe bowl with water, a splash of lemon juice, and a splash of vinegar. The water should be heated up for about 5 minutes or until it comes to a boil and begins to steam. The microwave door should remain closed for another 5 minutes so the steam can settle and loosen up food and grime. With a clean rag or paper towel, wipe the microwave clean. 

READ MORE: How To Steam Clean Your Microwave

Don’t Ignore Your Garbage Can

Nobody likes taking out the garbage, but procrastinating is not a good idea in this case. There is a possibility that your trash receptacle is the culprit of a foul-smelling kitchen. By taking out your trash every day and disinfecting the inside of your trashcan, you can help eliminate any odors it may be producing. 

You can also reduce trash can odors by using scented trash bags like Glad cherry blossom scented trash bags. You can also filter odor-causing bacteria with baking soda by putting a box at the bottom of the trash can before putting the trash bag in.

Keep Kitchen Sponges Clean & Dry

In addition to causing a funky kitchen odor, using dirty kitchen sponges to wash your counters and wash your dishes is counter-productive and disgusting. 

For best results, soak your dirty sponge for five minutes in 3/4 cup of bleach diluted with 1 gallon of water, according to goodhousekeeping.com. Afterward, rinse the sponge with water, wring it out, and let it air dry. 

You can use vinegar instead of bleach to clean your sponge if you prefer a more natural approach. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that eliminates odors, according to HomeSteady.com. A bowl of water containing 1/4 cup vinegar can be used to clean a sponge. For about two hours, soak the sponge in the vinegar and water mixture. Wring out the sponge after it has soaked and allow it to air dry. 

It is also possible to clean and sterilize your sponge by throwing it in a dishwasher or washing machine. Additionally, you can microwave your sponge to steam clean it. 

CHECK THIS OUT: 3 Ways To Clean A Sponge In A Microwave

Soak your sponge in lemon water before steaming it in the microwave. Place the lemon-water-soaked sponge on a microwave-safe plate. For one minute, microwave your sponge. Make sure you keep an eye on the sponge to prevent it from burning. 

Before touching the sponge after it has been microwaved, let it cool for about 10-15 minutes so that you do not burn yourself. The sponge can now be used after it has cooled completely. Wring out the sponge and proceed to use it. Make sure your sponge stays clean and odor-free by repeating this cleaning method every couple of weeks.

READ THIS TOO: How To Clean Your Shower Glass With The Pink Stuff