How to Remove Holiday Cooking Odors from Your Kitchen

Introduction

The holidays are filled with wonderful aromas of roasting meats, baking pies, and simmering sauces. But once the feasting is over, some of those cooking smells can linger longer than desired. Strong food odors can settle into your kitchen, clinging to appliances, fabrics, and even the air itself. If you want to keep your kitchen fresh and inviting throughout the season, here are practical ways to tackle cooking odors. And if the smells are especially stubborn, a professional cleaning service like Dirt2Tidy can be your best solution for a fresh start.

1. Clean as You Cook – Remove Holiday Kitchen Odors

The best way to prevent lingering odors is to clean while you cook, addressing spills and messes immediately rather than letting them settle and contribute to smells.

Tips for Cleaning While Cooking:

• Wipe Up Spills Immediately: If something spills in the oven or on the stovetop, clean it up as soon as it’s safe to do so. Burnt spills are a major source of lingering odors.
• Keep a Trash Bag Nearby: Empty trash bags often during food prep, especially if you’re handling strong-smelling ingredients like fish, garlic, or onions.
• Ventilate While Cooking: Run the exhaust fan or open a window to remove steam and cooking smells as they happen. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on to help circulate air.

Pro Tip: A quick wipe-down of surfaces, along with frequent ventilation, can significantly reduce the impact of cooking smells.

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2. Deep Clean the Oven

Holiday cooking often leads to splatters and spills in the oven, which can burn and produce strong odors if not cleaned. A clean oven is essential for preventing these smells from accumulating over time.

Steps to Clean the Oven:

• Use Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and water, spread it across the oven’s interior, and leave it overnight. Wipe it clean the next day, spraying any stubborn spots with vinegar to dissolve residue.
• Run the Self-Cleaning Cycle: If your oven has a self-cleaning option, use it to burn off leftover food and grease. Be sure to ventilate the kitchen, as this process can produce smoke.
• Remove Racks and Clean Separately: Soak oven racks in hot, soapy water or a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Scrub them clean and let them dry before replacing.

Pro Tip: Schedule a professional oven cleaning service, like those from Dirt2Tidy, if the buildup is extensive. Professionals can reach areas that are hard to access and remove deeply set odors.

3. Refresh Air Filters and Vents

Cooking odors can become trapped in your home’s ventilation system, so regularly cleaning or replacing air filters can prevent these smells from lingering.

How to Freshen Filters and Vents:

• Clean Range Hood Filters: Remove filters from your range hood and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub them gently and let them dry before replacing.
• Replace Air Filters: If you use an HVAC system, check the air filters and replace them if needed. Filters trap cooking particles, and dirty ones can redistribute odors.
• Clean Exhaust Fans: Wipe down the exhaust fan above your stove with a damp cloth and mild cleaner to remove any grease or particles that can cause smells.

Pro Tip: For a fresh start after heavy holiday cooking, consider scheduling a professional vent and hood cleaning, ensuring that all sources of cooking odors are effectively addressed.

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4. Use Natural Odor Absorbers

Certain natural ingredients are excellent at absorbing and neutralizing smells, helping to freshen up your kitchen without the need for strong chemicals.

Best Natural Odor Absorbers:

• Baking Soda: Place a bowl of baking soda on the counter or in the refrigerator to absorb unwanted smells. Replace it every few days during peak holiday cooking times.
• White Vinegar: Fill a bowl with vinegar and leave it in the kitchen overnight to absorb lingering odors. You can also simmer vinegar on the stove to neutralize stronger smells.
• Coffee Grounds: Place coffee grounds in a bowl on the countertop to absorb odors. This works particularly well with strong smells from cooking fish or meats.

Pro Tip: After cleaning, place these odor absorbers around the kitchen for ongoing freshness throughout the season.

5. Boil Aromatic Ingredients

Simmering fresh ingredients on the stove can mask lingering food smells with pleasant aromas and help neutralize unwanted scents.

Best Ingredients to Simmer:

• Citrus and Spices: Add orange or lemon peels to a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Simmer on low heat to fill the kitchen with a warm, holiday fragrance.
• Herbs: Fresh rosemary, thyme, or mint leaves can also be simmered in water for a clean, herbal scent that naturally refreshes the air.
• Vinegar and Water: Boiling a mixture of vinegar and water for a few minutes can help neutralize strong odors. Just be sure to ventilate, as vinegar itself has a strong smell initially.

Pro Tip: Leave a simmering pot on the stove while you clean up the kitchen for an all-natural air freshener.

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6. Clean and Deodorize Kitchen Surfaces

Odors can cling to surfaces like countertops, cabinets, and even walls, especially if you’re cooking with ingredients that produce strong smells. Wiping down these areas helps eliminate any lingering scents.

Surface Cleaning Tips:

• Use Vinegar Spray: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on countertops, cabinet doors, and stovetops, and wipe clean with a cloth.
• Disinfect High-Touch Areas: Wipe down knobs, handles, and any surfaces that may have been exposed to cooking splatters.
• Mop the Floors: Grease and food particles can settle on floors, producing odors. Use a mild floor cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to mop kitchen floors.

Pro Tip: For tougher kitchen grime, sprinkle baking soda on surfaces before wiping them with a vinegar solution. This combination not only cleans but also neutralizes odors.

7. Freshen Up Fabrics

Odors can settle into fabrics like kitchen towels, curtains, and upholstery. Laundering these items keeps your kitchen smelling clean and fresh.

How to Freshen Kitchen Fabrics:

• Wash Towels and Cloths: Launder kitchen towels, washcloths, and table linens regularly, especially if they’ve been exposed to cooking odors.
• Clean Curtains: Machine-wash curtains if possible, or use a fabric freshener spray to keep them smelling pleasant.
• Vacuum Upholstered Furniture: If you have seating in or near the kitchen, vacuum or steam-clean upholstery to remove any absorbed odors.

Pro Tip: Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or lemon to your wash for a natural, fresh scent that lingers.

8. Consider Professional Help for a Deep Clean

If your kitchen still has lingering odors after trying DIY methods, a professional deep clean may be the best solution. Dirt2Tidy’s cleaning services include thorough kitchen cleaning, tackling appliances, surfaces, and hidden areas to fully refresh your space.

Why Professional Cleaning Helps:

• Cleans Hidden Areas: Professionals access hard-to-reach spots in appliances, cabinets, and under the stove that can trap odors and grime.
• Eliminates Deep-Seated Grease: A professional clean removes tough grease and food particles that standard cleaning might miss, significantly reducing odor sources.
• Saves Time and Effort: Instead of scrubbing and scrubbing, a professional service can save you hours and ensure that your kitchen is perfectly fresh and guest-ready.

Pro Tip: Scheduling a professional cleaning before and after the holiday season keeps your kitchen in top condition, ready for all the holiday cooking and gatherings.

Final Thoughts: 

Keep Your Kitchen Fresh This Holiday Season

With the right approach, you can keep your kitchen smelling clean and inviting even during the busiest cooking season of the year. Simple habits like cleaning as you cook, using natural odor absorbers, and freshening up fabrics can go a long way. And if the job becomes too big, a professional service like Dirt2Tidy is always ready to help. With a little effort, you’ll enjoy a kitchen that’s as refreshing and welcoming as the holiday season itself!