10 Effective Ways to Banish Cooking Odors

That fresh bacon smell from breakfast can quickly turn into an overpowering kitchen scent by evening. Wondering how to get rid of those lingering cooking odors? We've got some solutions for you.

How to Eliminate Cooking Smells

If you're dealing with tough kitchen odors like fish or smoke, try these simple DIY methods to neutralize the smells in your kitchen.

1. Simmer Lemons.

Create a lemon steam to combat strong kitchen odors. Cut a lemon in half, drop it into a pot of boiling water, and let it simmer for ten minutes. You can also use leftover lemon peels or scraps from cooking! To enhance the effect, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water.

2. Set out a bowl of baking soda or vinegar overnight.

To tackle lingering smells after cooking, place a bowl of baking soda or vinegar on the counter overnight. You can even keep one nearby while cooking to absorb odors as they form.

3. Open windows and turn on your range hood.

It may seem simple, but one of the most effective ways to clear out cooking odors is by letting fresh air in. Open the windows and activate your stove vent if you have one. If you're cooking smelly foods like fish or broccoli, make sure to ventilate early and often—good airflow is essential!

4. Clean your sink.

If your sink is the culprit, there are several ways to solve the issue. Check out these seven methods to eliminate sink odors.

5. Make a stovetop potpourri.

You can make your home smell delightful while cooking, without relying on air fresheners, candles, or potpourri. Create your own stovetop potpourri using ingredients from your kitchen like citrus peels, apple cores, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary. Add everything to a pot of water and simmer while you cook. The steam will not only neutralize odors but also add moisture to the air on dry winter days.

6. Use a charcoal filter splatter screen.

If you're frying bacon or cooking fish, consider getting a charcoal splatter screen to absorb odors. It protects your stove and countertop from grease splatters while the charcoal filter helps to trap the smells as you cook.

7. Consider an air purifier.

Air purifiers are effective at removing dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander, and they’re also great for eliminating strong cooking odors. This Levoit model is compact enough to fit in a small apartment kitchen and comes at a reasonable price.

8. Use coffee grounds to absorb odors.

Who doesn't love the aroma of fresh coffee in the morning? Brewing a pot or placing coffee grounds in shallow bowls around your kitchen can help soak up cooking odors.

9. Try a vinegar steam.

Just like simmering lemons or creating stovetop potpourri, a vinegar steam is an excellent way to neutralize strong odors. Mix half a cup of vinegar with one cup of water and simmer on the stove while cooking (or afterward) to absorb any lingering smells in the air.

10. Store a compost bin in your freezer.

Composting is a more sustainable way to dispose of food scraps than throwing them away, but it can sometimes create unpleasant odors. To reduce these smells, many compost bins come with odor-absorbing filters. Placing your bin in the freezer helps block the smells and keeps flies away from your kitchen.