how to get rid of cooking smells in small apartment
Kristina Davis

Asking how to get rid of cooking smells in small apartment is common. Eating, preparing, and sharing delicious meals with loved ones are among life’s greatest pleasures.

Now, I enjoy a wide variety of cuisines, but when I want to relax, I need dishes that pack a punch of flavor (especially spice).

Unfortunately, many of these dishes also tend to be pungent, leaving any small apartment filled with unwanted smells.

Who really wants to wake up to the weird smell of their last night’s dinner in their apartment?

READ NEXT:  How Long Does Vinegar Smell Last In Carpet?

But, how to get rid of food smell in apartment? 

You can eliminate cooking smells by cleaning your kitchen immediately after cooking, keeping windows ajar, and trying ways to “mask” the odor.

Discover How To Get Rid Of Cooking Smells In Small Apartment?

get rid of smell

While the aromas of cooking are pleasant, waking up to the remnants of the previous night’s meal is not ideal for anyone.

Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent food odors from permeating the air, walls, and fabrics. 

You can definitely try so many things, but here are a few to get you started. You can try a combination of a few to help get better results. 

Do Not Let It Stay There For Long

Cleaning up spills and washing greasy pots and pans immediately after cooking is essential.

Smelly oil in a pan should be dealt with the same day it is made rather than left out overnight to spread its odor.

READ NEXT:  How to Keep Dresser Drawers Smelling Fresh? An Extensive Guide

Remember to empty the sink, dispose of the garbage, and remove the trash after each meal as soon as you can.

Tip: Put some plants in your apartment and kitchen because they "purify" air and also have their own "fragrance" to overpower whatever bad smells you have after cooking. 

Keep Your Windows Open

It’s probably obvious, but cracking open a window is the easiest way to get rid of the cooking smells in your small apartment. 

keep your windows open

You should do it often, but especially before, while, and after you have finished cooking. 

If the weather is bad or you don’t want your neighbors to overhear your chats, I can see how this might not be the most appealing option.

But if the odor has nowhere to go, it will remain.

Simply crack it open enough for some fresh air to enter and the odor to escape; any wider and it will take less time to work. 

Make Use Of Charcoal Filter

While you cook, odors can be reduced to some extent by using a splatter screen of any kind.

READ NEXT:  What If My Garbage Disposal Smells Like Dead Animal? - Fix Guide

Any splatter screen helps mitigate odors by keeping everything you cook from splashing onto your backsplash or stovetop.

However, a good charcoal filter will also absorb culinary odors as you cook.

It means that splashed tile and unpleasant kitchen odors may become a thing of the past all at once.

charcoal filter
Tip: Double-check your sink and ensure it is not the source of any foul odor, and talk to a professional if it is clogged or causing problems. 

Make Use Of Vinegar

Steam is another effective method that may be used to prevent odors in the kitchen.

If you are going to be preparing meals using very strong ingredients, you should use vinegar mixed with hot water to deal with smells. 

Simply combine the two and bring to a boil to produce steam. 

The steam will then take up any aromas in the surrounding air. And to make it work even better, you should keep the vent open on your stove. 

READ NEXT:  How To Get Rid Of Varnish Smell In House - The Right Way

Simmer Potpourri While Cooking

A potpourri that has been boiled and then allowed to simmer is a fantastic idea.

Eliminating odors can be accomplished during the cooking process by simmering a pot containing lemon or orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in water.

simmer some potpourri

In a manner analogous to that of the vinegar solution, the steam absorbs odors that you do not wish to disperse.

The added benefit of this method is that the potpourri itself will leave a more pleasant scent on the nose.

When you can, try to find items containing citrus, like lemon, which can mask unpleasant odors. 

Get That Range Hood To Work

Using your range’s food and exhaust fans while you cook can also be an effective way to eliminate any residual odors. 

Yes, I am aware that this is another one of the more obvious tips, but it works nonetheless. 

In addition to this, it is recommended that you activate any type of cooling fan that you have at the same time.

READ NEXT:  Solving House Smells Like Sewer When Doing Laundry

You don’t have to leave it on overnight, but using it while cooking and for a short time after can help. 

Use A Scented Candle

I used to think of scented candles as a great gift option for people to choose when they were at a loss for what else to give. 

And I would leave them in a box under my bed or in the back of my closet, where they would collect dust. Not anymore. 

use scented candles

It occurred to me that I could make use of those gorgeous little candles to get rid of smells in my small apartment.

They are a boon to those who live in cramped quarters since they quickly and effectively mask bad odors with pleasant ones.

Furthermore, the combination of a closed room with a strong aroma implies that the fragrance of your candle will linger long after you’ve snuffed it. 

Use A Pot Of Coffee

It is likely to work amazingly well for those of you who are true coffee enthusiasts.

READ NEXT:  Which Fabuloso Smells the Best? - Complete Guide

All you have to do is use the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to get rid of any smells in your kitchen.

The method works because of the nitrogen in coffee. It helps eliminate any lingering odors quite quickly. 

fresh coffee

In most cases, you simply have to take wet coffee grounds and spread them carefully on a sheet. Then, leave them there overnight to do their job.

Tip: You can place used and dried coffee grounds in the refrigerator to help get rid of any bad smell in no time. 

Sprinkle Some Baking Soda Around

To deal with a strong stench in your kitchen, you need something equally powerful. That is when you can rely on baking soda.

With its low price and ability to neutralize unpleasant odors, baking soda is a superhero with impressive versatility. 

Just take some and sprinkle it in the bottom of your trash can. You should do it before you throw away fish or any odoriferous meals.

READ NEXT:  House Smells Like Gas But Have Electric – Causes and Fixes!

For added convenience, keep baking soda in a salt shaker with a clear label.

baking soda

You can use it whenever you want, especially when you want something to mask the odor of an overflowing trash bag.

Deep Clean Often

To avoid things going out of hand, it is important that you try various tips and still go for a deep clean routine once in a while. 

I understand that you may be wondering, “Do you really have to?” If you’re anything like me, cleaning days are the most dreaded of the week.

I wish I could say that cleaning is therapeutic for me, but I just can’t. Still, it cannot be avoided, especially in a smaller apartment.

I’ll be the first to admit that I usually just do what’s necessary from week to week, but on certain days I really get in there and give it a deep clean.

After a deep clean session, your kitchen looks amazing and you get rid of whatever lingering smell there might have been. 

READ NEXT:  Why Does My House Smell Like Nail Polish Remover? - How to Fix

Bake Some Cookies

A simple way to neutralize cooking smells in your apartment is to cook something nice, something like a sweet treat.

bake cookies

It works great if you find the smell of baked goods quite exciting.

Even if you’re not a huge dessert fan, you can’t deny the comforting effect of home-baked cookies or a loaf of sweet bread.

And it works great when you bake something nice right after frying something like shrimp paste.

Tip: Consider investing in a countertop air purifier and use it when cooking and afterward to help improve the air quality and eliminate any odor. 

Takeaway

 By learning how to get rid of cooking smells in small apartment, you may still enjoy a wide variety of meals and won’t have to put up with unpleasant odors. 

By following these guidelines, you may prepare your favorite flavorful dish, full of robust spices, without having to worry about the lingering aroma when you wake up in the morning.