You and I both know that the mouthwatering, delicious cooking smell just before we eat turns a bit pungent and unashamedly outstays its welcome when it loiters and lingers. It seeps into the walls and bedrooms and even freshly washed clothes!
If you want to keep your beloved home smelling beautiful, even after you’ve shown off your culinary skills, the following methods and magical products may help you do just that.
Table of Contents
Ventilation
It goes without saying, ventilation is key (even if it is freezing, just for a few minutes).
I sometimes forget to open my windows and garden door until it’s too late and the cooking smell has already reached the stairs. Remember to keep the window a little ajar when cooking something fragrant. And no matter how loud your extraction fan, turn it on for a short while.
Homemade mixture on the stove
If you can face a saucepan one more time after your cooking bonanza, a homemade mixture of citrus slices and herbs simmering on the stove can be an effective way of infusing your home with a pleasant aroma.
Not only does this give your surroundings a natural, homely scent but it’s also resourceful, using what you have in your kitchen.
Natural odour eliminators
What about if you’ve enjoyed your meal and want to head out or retire for the night? You don’t want to be monitoring a simmering pot or have a scented candle lit and unattended.
In that case, placing a bowl of distilled white vinegar or sodium bicarbonate in the kitchen and surrounding area can be a great solution. A little eccentric but these ingredients absorb the cooking smells.
I find just a dash of vinegar is enough and if you find the smell of vinegar too strong, you can add lemon juice or a few drops of herb essential oil such as rosemary.
Coffee granules are also effective at neutralizing strong cooking smells. Simply place them in a bowl and let them sit out overnight.
Clean and cook
Are you one to clean and cook as you go along? If so, I salute you. I am also finally learning to follow in your footsteps.
Cleaning on the go, as opposed to after the deed has been done, would obviously reduce the cooking smells . The more fragrant the cleaning agents, the better! Purdy and Figg essential oils diluted in a spray bottle make cleaning a pleasure. So much so that my son was open mouthed with shock at how long I was cleaning for.
The blend of oils is so refreshing and noticeable. Not only are they effective at cleaning (with a little elbow grease of course), but the natural, aromatic scents of flowers and woody notes are truly refreshing for the kitchen.
Purdy & Figg Essential Oils
Price: £31.99
Size: 300ml
Scent: Citrus, floral, vetiver.
Odour eliminating products
Now if you prefer a quick fix that doesn’t take up time and effort, an effective product such as PowAir odour neutraliser to place in your kitchen may be a good solution.
The so called ‘apple crumble’ scent was rather a fresh, clean fragrance. And in time the strong cooking smells did diminish.
This is because the gel when exposed to air evaporates and releases a natural fragrance. But due to its technology, it neutralises the air and eliminates odours too. PowAir in particular, uses a combination of high-quality essential oils.
You can decant the gel into stylish jars to keep in theme with your home décor and stash them in the corners of your kitchen. I also tend to give it a shake sometimes to release the scent.
PowAir Gel Natural Odour Neutraliser
Price: £12.09
Size: 400g
Scent: Apple Crumble.
This little beauty is a winner if you want to effortlessly spruce up your kitchen at the end of your cooking. The fragrance infuses your space with the well-known excellent marriage of citrus and herb. With deodorising, all natural ingredients, it’s no wonder so many rely on this to restore their kitchen’s charm.
I like to spray a little on my tea towels and kitchen blinds, to keep the fragrance flowing.
Lime Basil and Mandarin room spray
Price: £6.99
Size: 100 ml
Scent: Lime, basil and mandarin.
Another powerful, natural odour eliminating product. But this time, it’s best to use this spray in your kitchen half an hour before the cooking starts. With 41 essential oils, it’s a potent blend that naturally works at beating odours.
Long lasting and air purifying, the oils are a pleasure to inhale and leave your surroundings smelling gorgeous. With such an intricate blend, it reminds me of an outdoor spa, with its herby scents, intertwined with citrus, mint and wood.
Purifying air spray (2 bottles)
Price: £41.59
Size: 2 x 200ml
Scent: 41 essential oils including cedarwood, rosemary, sweet basil, orange and peppermint.
Scented candles
The simple act of lighting a dedicated, odour eliminating scented candle before, during and after cooking can also keep strong cooking smells under control. The Chef’s candle was introduced to me by my sister-in-law who not only enjoys home cooked food but has two playful Dalmatians cohabiting!
So, I definitely took her recommendation on board. The Patchouli and Geranium extracts are well known balancing notes and with the fresh, herbaceous Basil, this candle is perfect for the kitchen.
Price's - Chef's Jar Candle
Price: £2.99
Size: 358g
Scent: Patchouli, Geranium, Basil.
This excellent candle has essential oils right up to the brim and the fragrance release is powerful. The lemongrass is beautifully fresh and fragrant, balanced cleverly with the calming, savoury notes of sage. I would light this once the food has been cooked and the kitchen is cleaned, to truly reap the benefits. Having this lit for an hour will contribute to a cleaner, more vibrant air in your kitchen.
Vallente Lemongrass and sage
Price: £12.40
Size: 150g
Scent: Lemongrass and sage.
Ultrasonic diffuser
If you’ve cooked a flavoursome feast but the aroma is too powerful for any of the above to work, you’re better off using your ultrasonic diffuser all night. A punchy citrus oil, peppermint or eucalyptus added to water, will create a mist that’s fresh, crisp and aromatic. Your stuffy smelly kitchen will be transformed in the morning and the pong will be gone! This lemon and eucalyptus blend by Nikura helps banish strong odours.
Conclusion
Having a beautiful smelling home ruined by the pungent after effects of cooking can be annoying. But with the above tips, chances are you’ll carry on your creative kitchen endeavours safe in the knowledge that the strong cooking smells won’t spread their love and reside until further notice! Instead, your surroundings will remain fresh, whilst you savour your proudly made, home cooked delights.