How to Get Rid of Kitchen Smells (Cooking Odors, Grease, and More)

Kitchen smells from cooking, grease, garbage, and drains can linger long after the meal is done. Here's how to eliminate every type of kitchen odor — and keep the kitchen smelling fresh.

What You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Zeiff Probiotic Enzyme Cleaner — eliminates odor-causing organic matter in drains and surfaces
• JohnBee Spray Bottles
• Lemon or citrus peels
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Odor by Odor: How to Eliminate Each Type

Cooking Odors (Fish, Garlic, Fried Food)

• Run the range hood fan during and after cooking — the most effective prevention
• Simmer a pot of water with lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves for 20–30 minutes — neutralizes cooking odors naturally
• Place a bowl of white vinegar on the counter overnight — absorbs lingering odors
• Boil white vinegar in a small pot for 5 minutes to quickly neutralize strong cooking smells

Grease and Burnt Food Smell

• Clean the stovetop, range hood filter, and oven immediately after cooking — burnt grease is the primary source
• Wipe down walls and backsplash near the stove — grease splatter accumulates and smells over time
• Clean the range hood filter monthly — a clogged filter recirculates grease odors

Drain Odors

• Pour Zeiff enzyme cleaner down the drain and let sit overnight — breaks down the organic biofilm that causes drain smell
• Weekly maintenance: pour baking soda down the drain, follow with white vinegar, let fizz 10 minutes, flush with hot water
• Use a drain strainer to prevent food buildup

Garbage Smell

• Empty trash daily — don't let food waste sit overnight
• Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the trash can to absorb odors
• Clean the trash can monthly with dish soap and a vinegar rinse
• Use trash bags with odor control

General Stale Kitchen Smell

• Open windows and ventilate daily
• Place an open box of baking soda in a cabinet or on the counter to absorb ambient odors
• Simmer citrus peels in water on the stove for a natural air freshener
• Clean the refrigerator regularly — fridge odors spread into the kitchen

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my kitchen smell even when it's clean?

The most common hidden sources are the drain (organic biofilm), the range hood filter (accumulated grease), and the refrigerator. Clean all three and the smell usually resolves.

How do I get fish smell out of the kitchen quickly?

Boil a pot of water with white vinegar or lemon slices for 10 minutes. This neutralizes the volatile compounds that cause fish odor. Also wipe down all surfaces the fish touched with a vinegar solution.

Does baking soda actually absorb kitchen odors?

Yes — baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) neutralizes both acidic and alkaline odor compounds. An open box absorbs ambient odors over time. For active odor elimination, apply directly to the source.