Want a fresh-smelling kitchen? Don’t forget to clean these 5 things

Your kitchen area should always be free from all sort of bad odours (Picture: Pexels)

• Refrigerators, sinks, and dishwashers can cause kitchen odours
• Ovens and hidden spots often trap food residue and smells
• Regular deep cleaning with baking soda or vinegar is recommended

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The kitchen is one of the most frequented areas of the house. It is used for cooking food, baking goodies, storing grocery items, cleaning utensils, and more. While you may clean it diligently after every use, there is a chance that certain smells linger longer. This is due to food residue, scraps, and smoke that hide cleverly in corners and are often overlooked.

While home fragrances and DIY cleaners can help, it is essential to figure out what’s really causing the odour and eliminate the source. This will keep your kitchen free from bad smells. Here are five common things responsible for it.

Refrigerator

The refrigerator stores food and drink, so it is naturally subject to spills and odours. It doesn’t really get any breathing room and is frequently used to stock everything that may or may not be needed. Frequent cleaning helps keep the stored items fresh for longer and prevents bad smells. It is advised to use baking soda or vinegar to clean the insides and avoid applying cleaning products with chemicals, as they may release harmful substances on food. Rinse once you have finished.

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Kitchen Sink

If you keep your kitchen sink spotless and shiny, and still wonder where the odour is coming from, it could very well be your garbage disposal. Over time, the chamber inside the garbage disposal may accumulate food waste that it is unable to scrub. So, before cleaning the kitchen, look into the garbage disposal's splash guard, from where the smells emerge. Go for deeper cleaning using baking soda, lemons, and vinegar, which avoids the use of harsh chemicals.

Dishwasher

Many people think dishwashers do not need cleaning, but that’s far from the truth. It requires regular deep cleaning to prevent odours and ensure perfectly shiny dishes. To ensure it doesn’t get dirty, it’s best to remove excess food from plates and bowls before putting them in the dishwasher. This prevents it from becoming clogged, which is responsible for the bad smells. Monthly cleaning with vinegar helps remove foul smells and food deposits.

Oven

The oven is one appliance that is not paid much attention to. But if you notice, it does accumulate grime and experience spillages that not only make it dirty but also result in bad kitchen smells. While the greasy build-up and bad smell are not apparent immediately, they are difficult to counter once they permeate the kitchen. Using oven-safe cleaners can greatly help, especially when working on the inside.

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Hidden spots

While you may be cleaning your countertops and other areas frequently, there are spots that often get overlooked. Think about the space under appliances, the stovetop, and other areas. They hide food crumbs and other remnants, which begin to smell. Clean such areas with a vacuum, broom, or duster. There are also counter gap covers that help collect food scraps and grime. Keeping your kitchen countertops and sinks is also a good idea. Even pipe leakages should be checked frequently.

FAQs on importance of keeping kitchen clean and fresh

Q. Why is it important to keep the kitchen clean?

A clean kitchen helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and pests, reducing the risk of food contamination and illness.

Q. How does kitchen cleanliness affect health?

Maintaining hygiene in the kitchen can lower the chances of foodborne illnesses such as Food poisoning, which can occur when food is prepared in unclean conditions.

Q. How often should a kitchen be cleaned?

Basic cleaning such as wiping counters, washing dishes and clearing spills should be done daily, while deeper cleaning of appliances and storage areas can be done weekly.

Q. What are the common sources of bad odours in the kitchen?

Unwashed dishes, garbage bins, clogged sinks, food spills and dirty sponges are common sources of unpleasant smells.

Q. Why should kitchen sponges and cloths be cleaned regularly?

Sponges and dishcloths can harbour bacteria if left damp and dirty. Regular washing or replacing them helps maintain hygiene.