9 Tips to Avoid Smelling Like Your Kitchen After Cooking

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a hearty breakfast or brunch, but nothing can ruin your mood faster than taking home more than just the leftovers. That lingering, eggy smell often accompanies your omelet or scrambled eggs, and it can stick with you for the rest of the day.

You might notice it clinging to your clothes, lingering in your hair, or even seeping out through your pores, depending on what you’ve eaten.

Breakfast is just the start—there are plenty of foods and meals that not only fill your kitchen with odors but can also invade your clothes and hair. And it’s not just your own kitchen; even restaurants can leave you smelling like the meal you just ate.

So how do you avoid smelling like a grease trap after frying chicken? Or keep the pungent scent of lemon-garlic salmon from following you around all day?

There are always a few strategies to stop scents from sticking to you, even if you’re simmering the most fragrant curry imaginable.

Layer Up

If you’re working with ingredients that release powerful aromas you’d rather not carry around all day, consider wearing an apron to create a barrier between you and both stains and smells. Professional chefs often recommend having a set of clothes that are reserved just for cooking—this way, you can change in and out of them, keeping your other clothes free from odors.

Get Exhausted

That exhaust fan above your stovetop exists for a reason! Use it to reduce the chances of carrying the lingering smell of fish fillets or whatever you're sautéing around with you for the rest of the evening.

Handle with Care

A pair of nitrile gloves can do wonders in keeping stubborn odors off your hands when dealing with especially pungent ingredients. Nitrile is a more comfortable and durable option than latex or vinyl. Stop wiping your hands on your clothes and grab a pair of these instead.

Dryer Magic

If your clothes have already absorbed lingering smells from your last meal, don’t toss them into the wash just yet. A couple of dryer sheets or a homemade herbal sachet can work wonders in neutralizing odors in the dryer in as little as 10 minutes. Alternatively, simply hanging them up in a well-ventilated area overnight can also help.

Hair Care

Sadly, whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, your hair can be a major culprit behind lingering odors after cooking or eating. You can avoid a repeat performance of the same smells by wearing a chef’s hat, head wrap, or even a baseball cap. At the very least, tie your hair back into a tight bun or knot, keeping it away from your face and food.

Don’t Sweat It

Garlic, onions, curry powder – all delicious additions to your meals. But these ingredients pack a sulfur punch, and sulfur is often the cause of some of the most unpleasant odors. Once absorbed into your bloodstream, it will leave your body through your sweat and breath. These foods will also stick to your clothes, adding an overpowering smell to your entire outfit. If you plan to exercise or sweat later, consider skipping these ingredients.

Steamroll Odors

A quick steam of your clothes after eating in a strongly scented environment can help to eliminate any lingering odors from the meal. And if you don’t have a steamer, don’t worry—take a hot shower and hang your clothes nearby. Both you and your clothes will feel refreshed and odor-free.

Take Preventive Measures

If you’re about to prepare a meal with strong aromas, you can head off any lingering smells by baking a simple mix of cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter before you start frying onions or garlic. Alternatively, if you're using the oven, you can simmer citrus peels (like lemons or oranges) in a saucepan of water as you cook.

In addition to your usual baking soda, another great solution for strong cooking smells is white vinegar. Place small bowls of vinegar around your kitchen to help neutralize the odors in the air.

Stainless Steel Trick

If dish soap isn’t cutting it and you can’t shake that lingering odor on your hands or skin, rub a stainless steel utensil, like a spoon, over the affected area. This simple method will help reduce the smell in no time.