The kitchen is supposed to be a clean and welcoming place, perfect for storing, preparing, and cooking food. As such, when it smells bad, it can feel like it’s extra offensive. No one wants to think about eating from a smelly kitchen. However, if you have all the surfaces wiped down, what could the source of that bad smell possibly be? Here are some of the most likely culprits and how to deal with them.
Are you sure the bin is empty?
A kitchen bin starts to smell very easily, especially in the summer. It has a lot more organic waste than other bins in the home which can start to break down and let off a stink. However, if you have emptied it and it still smells, then it might be time to wash the bin out entirely.
It’s not as clean as you think
You might quickly wipe down the kitchen after cooking or any spills, but if your kitchen isn’t built to be easy to clean, then it might not be as tidy and hygienic as you think. For instance, if you have bad flooring that isn’t well-sealed, then it can absorb stains and odors to the point that it’s hard to ignore. Especially if you have pets or kids, choose a hard-wearing, easy-to-clean floor for the kitchen.
Is it rising from the sink?
If there’s a sewage-y smell that’s rising from your sink, then there a few potential causes. You should use hot water and dish soap just ot make sure it’s not the lingering residue of food rotting in the pipes, first. Beyond that, however, it might be that oils and grease have accumulated, blocking the pipes, which can cause water to rise back up, and it’s not exactly going to be the freshest water. You can make DIY pipe cleaner for the kitchen or buy it at the shop easily enough.
Your dishwasher doesn’t just take care of itself
Modern appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can, indeed, be very convenient and, often simply buying the right cleaning product for it is enough. However, rather than just cycling a cleaning product, you’re supposed to clean your dishwasher manually every now and then, as well. There are residues and grimes that can start to build up if you let it and it’s going to become stronger the more you ignore it.
Check the fridge
Foods that have gone off, especially fragrant veg, meats, and milk, are going to start stinking up the fridge very quickly. However, even the residue they leave behind can start becoming a problem, so be sure to wash out the fridge if you take out anything particularly pungent. If the fridge drain gets blocked, this can start to stink it up, too, so unblocking that little hole can help.
Hopefully, the tips above help you get to the source of that smell in the kitchen in no time. The sooner you can clear it, the sooner you can peacefully and happily enjoy your kitchen and all the food therein.
