NOV
02
[Kitchen Tip] Quick Tips for Deodorizing your Kitchen
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We’ve all been there. The leftovers that stunk up the entire fridge. The funky smell coming from the sink. The lingering smell of nuked lunch in the microwave. The problem is, how to get rid of all those smells without having to get down and dirty. Want to know how I do it? It all involves CITRUS!
QUICK TIPS FOR DEODORIZING YOUR KITCHEN
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Getting Rid of Kitchen Sink Odors
Lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit are natural deodorizers and smells so refreshing. Cut up any citrus into wedges, toss down the disposal and grind them up to rid your sink of unattractive odors. The acid in the citrus also helps disinfect the disposal in a natural, safe way.
- I reserve any previously zested and/or juiced citrus in a bag in the fridge for this job.
- Just because you’ve zested and juiced the lemon doesn’t mean there’s no use left.
Microwave Odors
Take those zested and juiced citrus and put them in a medium sized glass bowl. A couple limes, a large lemon, half an orange or grapefruit cut into pieces will do the trick. Then, fill the bowl halfway with hot water. Place the citrus and water (adding a little lemon juice wouldn’t hurt either) filled bowl in the microwave, and nuke for 3-5 minutes.
- If the odor isn’t gone, add an additional minute or two until it smells citrus-y.
- It also gets nice and steamy in there so it’s easy to clean any spatters off the walls or door with a kitchen towel.
- When you’re done with the microwave, dump the bowl of citrus down the disposal to deodorize that!
Refrigerator Odors
Place a bowl of cut up citrus in the back of your fridge for a day or two. You can use previously zested and juiced lemons, or a new orange cut up (if you have excess) works as well. The citrus will get rid of the odors, even stinky leftovers!, and leave it nice and fresh smelling.
- After a couple days when the smell is gone, then you can deodorize your microwave.
- After the microwave, dump it all down the disposal and deodorize the sink. This way it’s a 3-in-1!
Garbage Can Odors
What we do as a precaution against yucky smelling kitchen garbage cans is to throw the really stinky stuff in the garage garbage can so we can keep it out of the kitchen. But sometimes, kitchen garbage still gets stinky. The easiest way is to take out the trash!
- If a smell still persists, you can toss cut up citrus in the bottom of the new trash bag.
- Alternatively, you can sprinkle baking soda in the bottom.
- If the can itself smells really bad and not the trash, try wiping the insides of the can with a 4:1 solution of water and lemon juice.
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About the Author:
Katie’s lifelong interest in cooking good food has shown her that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. She is: Writer. Photographer. Recipe Developer. Website Founder. Lover of all things good in life. Wife & Mom. A mix of great recipes, family memories, and yummy photography is what Katie serves up each week at GoodLife Eats™. Katie resides in Colorado with her husband and two children.
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Hello! I'm Katie Goodman, author of GoodLife Eats Etc. where I share what I find in my life. A mix of great recipes, family memories, adventures, good reads, and anything else that I love is what you will discover here.
I always throw the lemon rind into the disposal. Works like a charm! I’m going to try some of these other tips. Great ideas.
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Lemon rind in the disposal is one of my favorite tips. It’s so easy to keep them clean and fresh that way, and we are constantly using lemon, so there’s no issue having them around to do it with.
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wow, i can’t believe i never thought of this! i love citrus smells. i wil definitely be putting these tips to good use. thank you SO much
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A cousin of mine is on the police force and she told me that they put out coffee beans to absorb the smell of rotting corpses in houses. I took the idea and I put coffee beans on the bottom of my trash can or bag if it’s a holiday to absorb any odors, it works! I change out the beans every month.
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Great tips…thanks for sharing!!
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Great ideas, Katie! My microwave could use some freshening up!
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Great tips!
I am so annoyed with the lingering smell of garlic in the fridge. Not the most appetizing when in search of some breakfast…
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I saw lemons at the store today and thought about buying them, but didn’t! I should of my sink could use them! Great tip!
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I’ve used citrus in my disposal but will now try these other ideas. Great tips!
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I’ve done the lemon in the disposal but not the others. I’m definitely going to try them when I get more lemons. Thanks for the tips!
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I just wanted to tell you that your photography is so lovely. I always enjoy looking at your photos. And these tips are awesome, too!
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Great couple of tips, thanks so much.
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You always have such nifty ideas. I will taking the trash can one to work with me. Yep, it needs a little help there in the lunch room.
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Wow, that lemon photo really POPS! It’s making me excited to finally get some lemons off my tree (they are just now turning yellow). I’ll be sure to use the extras on some icky odors
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