You’ve probably caught a whiff of one (or all) of these at some point: the sour scent from wet towels and sponges, the trace of decaying apple cores in the bin, and other questionable sources of muskiness. Steps below will help you keep your kitchen clean
1. Find the Source
Odour doesn’t just come from rotting foods. Here are places where the smells might be hiding at:
- Mould and mildew on cabinets, between tile grooves, from towels, and on the fridge.
- Oil buildup on the stove, hood, backsplash, and counters.
- Food waste that’s stuck or hardened at the sides, base, or bottom of the rubbish bin.
- Cooking foods with strong smells like belacan, garlic, and seafood.
- Wet towels, mats, and carpets.
- Irregularly cleaned fridge.
Unfortunately, our humid climate and lack of ventilation – especially common with smaller spaces and terrace homes – both cause and exacerbate these smells. That’s why it’s extra important to…
2: Improve Ventilation
Keep your windows open and install an exhaust fan in your kitchen to improve air ventilation. These fans work to usher out the aroma from your stir fried petai belacan which will otherwise seep into your cabinets and carpets, and may also travel to the other rooms.
Step 3: Clean and Perfume
Once you’ve identified the source and improved ventilation, it’s time to clean up. Baking soda is your secret weapon here. Add 250ml water to a tablespoon of baking soda into a spray bottle and mix well. Use this DIY multi-purpose cleaner to wipe down your counters, cabinets, appliances, and backsplash.
For tougher stains or dirt, sprinkle baking soda onto the offending surface and add water until it becomes a paste that you can scrub with. You can also place small bowls of baking soda into your fridge and cabinets to absorb the odours.
Put some natural fragrance in your kitchen to make it smell good! Suggest to put some fruity fragrance or lavender fragrance to make the entire space feel fresh.
