Good food unleashes a tantalising medley of flavours and aromas to delight your senses during mealtimes. However, these smells are not so pleasant when they linger and spread throughout your home. The odours of cooked food and cooking fumes are a powerful combination, so sometimes getting rid of unwanted smells in the kitchen can be a gigantic undertaking.
Fortunately, there are natural remedies to keep your house smelling great without giving up your favourite recipes. In this article, we will explore some of the most effective solutions to freshen up your kitchen and the other rooms of your house, helping you to reduce and eliminate bad smells.
Vinegar: a powerful weapon to fight unpleasant smells
White vinegar is a versatile solution with countless uses throughout the home. To vanquish unwanted aromas in the kitchen, simply mix one part vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and spray it on the surfaces you want to clean. You can also freshen up the fridge by wiping the shelves with a vinegar solution using a little baking soda, an affordable and natural ingredient available at any supermarket. To combat smoky smells, place a bowl of water and vinegar in the offending room and leave it to work its magic for 24 hours. Vinegar acts as a natural deodorant, and also helps to neutralise lingering odours.
Citrus: a fresh and zesty fragrance
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and mandarins are all known for their fresh and zesty aromas. But did you know that they can be used to keep your kitchen smelling lovely? Simply put some citrus peel in a saucepan of boiling water over a low heat or stud the whole fruits with cloves (this solution also helps to keep moths away from your wardrobe). The citrus aromas will fill the room, covering unpleasant smells with an inviting fragrance.
Milk and bay leaves: an ancient remedy to eliminate cooking smells
To counteract the most pungent smells, like broccoli, you can follow in your granny's footsteps with a traditional method: boiling milk and bay leaves. Simply pour some milk into a saucepan, add a few bay leaves, and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. The milk will absorb the unpleasant smells, while the bay leaves will release a pleasant aroma.
Add a touch of freshness with aromatic herbs and fruits
In addition to spicing up your dishes, aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, mint and lavender are also a natural way to freshen up your kitchen. We recommend placing bunches of aromatic herbs in strategic spots around your kitchen, such as on the worktop or near the cooking area: the heat will help to diffuse their magical aroma into the air. You can combine rosemary with lemon to release balsamic notes or use cinnamon sticks to create an exhilarating and exotic ambiance.
While all the aforementioned natural remedies are safe to use, we recommend avoiding industrial air fresheners. Most of the solutions on the market actually release harmful compounds, which are particularly dangerous to vulnerable groups such as children, asthmatics and allergy sufferers. The Altroconsumo association has highlighted that, much like supermarket diffusers, incense, oils and candles can be very unhealthy, especially when burnt, as they may release potentially carcinogenic substances, such as benzene and formaldehyde.
Cooker hoods: when natural remedies are not enough
Although natural remedies can help to reduce bad smells in the kitchen, they cannot ensure a totally healthy and safe environment. This is where extractor hoods come into play, eliminating indoor pollution caused by unpleasant odours and cooking fumes.
The best cooker hoods on the market are designed to capture and filter out the fumes and odours produced during cooking using powerful suction systems, and also to effectively remove the harmful substances in the gases and vapours released when cooking food at high temperatures (formaldehyde, carbon and fat particles). By combining a hob with an integrated hood, the Galileo SMART and Galileo NG from Faber's Galileo line guarantee impressive performance. These high-quality appliances are able to automatically turn on the hood at the most suitable speed and adapt the suction capacity to the highest hob setting. Additionally, the Intensive function allows you to eliminate even the most stubborn odours before they are able to spread throughout the room, while the advanced filter system traps and removes harmful substances.
You can therefore enjoy the cooking experience with complete peace of mind, improving the overall comfort of your home.
