Buzz
While cooking, it's easy to lose track of time, forget to turn off the oven, or select the wrong heat setting. This can lead to burnt food and a lingering smoky odor throughout your home. Fortunately, the smell of burnt food can be eliminated using common household items. You can clean the affected area, create a solution to absorb the odor, and freshen up your space with your own methods.
Steps
Clean the Area with the Burnt Smell
Dispose of all burnt food. Ensure the burnt food has completely cooled, place it in a plastic bag, and throw it away outside. Discard the burnt food outside instead of in the kitchen trash to prevent the smell from lingering in the air.
Open the windows. Opening windows allows the smoky smell to escape and brings fresh air into your home. This is the quickest and simplest way to ventilate the space. Make sure to open all windows and doors, especially those near the kitchen.
Turn on fans. To improve air circulation, use all available electric fans in your home, positioning them near windows and doors. Set the fans to their highest speed to maximize airflow. You can also turn on the kitchen exhaust fan or the oven convection fan.
Clean all surfaces. Thoroughly wipe down all surfaces that have absorbed the odor. You can use bleach or disinfectant to clean countertops and floors. If the smell persists, consider wiping the walls as well.
Wash or discard smelly items. Launder any fabric items in the room that have absorbed the odor, such as towels, curtains, and upholstery. Use a fabric-safe bleach if necessary. If the smell has permeated cardboard boxes in the kitchen, transfer their contents to plastic bags and recycle the boxes.
Absorb the unpleasant odor
Prepare lemon water. Boil a pot of water. Slice a lemon into several pieces. Add the lemon slices to the boiling water and let it sit for 10-30 minutes to freshen up the room.
- Alternatively, you can simmer a handful of cloves instead of using lemon slices.
Place bowls of onion water. Slice an onion and place the slices in a bowl of water. Position the bowl in the middle of the kitchen. If the entire house smells of burnt food, consider placing multiple bowls of onion water in different areas. Leave the bowls overnight to absorb the odor.
Soak bread in vinegar. Use bread and vinegar to absorb the smell. Pour water into a pot and add 2 cups of vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Dip pieces of bread into the vinegar solution and place them on a plate to absorb the burnt smell.
- You can also place bowls of vinegar around the house to neutralize odors. Heating the vinegar enhances its odor-absorbing properties.
Mix water with baking soda. Baking soda is a highly effective deodorizer, especially for kitchen odors. To eliminate smells, place about 120 ml of baking soda in several bowls. Distribute the bowls around the kitchen and other areas of the house to absorb the unpleasant odors.
Mask the unpleasant odor
Create a refreshing baked aroma. Preheat your oven to 93°C. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on the sheet, adding a tablespoon of butter. Turn off the oven, place the sheet inside, and let it sit for 2-4 hours. This method fills your home with a delightful scent, as if you've just baked something delicious.
Spray lemon water. Mix water and lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio and pour it into a spray bottle. Use the lemon spray around the house as needed. This technique absorbs unpleasant odors and leaves a natural, chemical-free lemon fragrance in your home.
Freshen the air with essential oils. Combine ¾ cup of water with 2 tablespoons of vodka, rubbing alcohol, or pure vanilla extract, and add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil blend. Pour the mixture into a 240 ml spray bottle. Shake well and spray whenever necessary.
Make a room spray with fragrant oils. Mix 2 1/2 tablespoons of brandy (French brandy is ideal for its caramel notes), 20 drops of your preferred fragrant oil, 5 drops of tea tree oil (for its antibacterial properties), and ¾ cup of water. Combine the ingredients in a 200ml spray bottle. Shake thoroughly and use as needed.
Use commercial room sprays. If you can tolerate them, consider purchasing room sprays like Lysol, Febreeze, or Glade. Use them cautiously, as they can be overpowering. These sprays are more effective at masking odors compared to homemade solutions.
