Even the best cooks can end up burning some of their food. That said, while the error is acceptable, the permeating burnt smell can be bothersome.
Thus, you should act quickly and follow some steps to get rid of the smell.
Moreover, you can use some household items to ensure the smell is gone completely.
Some homemade solutions can also replace the odor with a fresh scent. So, here’s a guide on how to get rid of a burnt smell in the kitchen.
Methods of How to Get Rid of a Burnt Smell in the Kitchen
There is more than one method you can use to get rid of the burnt smell.
Some are easier than others, so it’s best to try them first. If the smell still lingers, you can try another method.
Here’s what you must know.
Method 1. Clean the Area Where the Food Burned
The easiest way to get rid of the burnt smell is to clean the area where the food burned. Follow these steps to eliminate the odor.
Step 1. Remove All of the Burned Food
Throw all of the burned food after it is cool.
So, place the burned food in a plastic trash bag. Next, put the bag in a trash can outside your home.
If you throw the burned food in a garbage bin in your kitchen or home, the smell will still linger.
Therefore, you should also not put the burned food in the garbage disposal.
Step 2. Open All Windows in Your Home
You’ll need to get fresh into your home. So, opening the windows is the fastest way to do that. Open all windows in the house so that there’s maximal air circulation.
That said, the ones near the kitchen will help most. You could also consider opening doors that lead outside for better airflow.
Step 3. Turn on Your Fans
It’s also best to turn on all fans in your home. If you have ceiling fans, turn those on to their maximum setting.
In addition to that, place portable electrical fans near open windows and doors for better air circulation.
Turn on Kitchen Fans Too
Turn on the kitchen exhaust fan or kitchen stovetop fan as well.
The better the air circulation, the faster the smell will leave.
Step 4. Clean Some of the Kitchen Surfaces
The smell might cling onto surfaces in the kitchen if a lot of food was burned. In that case, wipe down the countertops, and mop the floors with disinfectant.
You may also want to consider washing the walls if the smell is still strong in the kitchen or other rooms.
Step 5. Wash Fabric Items That Have the Burnt Smell
If the burning is extensive, the smell may get into fabric items. These items include your clothes, apron, curtains, table cloths, and slipcovers.
In that case, launder those items to remove the burnt smell. If the smell is still present, consider washing the items with bleach if they don’t get damaged by the material.
Step 6. Recycle or Get Rid of Unwanted Items that Have the Burnt Smell
Cardboard boxes lying in the kitchen may also have a burnt smell.
So, you should remove the items within it and recycle or get rid of the box. Place the items in a plastic baggie.
Method 2. Absorb the Burnt Odor with Various Homemade Solutions
You can create various solutions to absorb the burnt odor if opening the windows doesn’t work.
You can pick any solution based on what materials you have at home.
1. Create Lemon Water
Place a pot of water on the stove to boil. While the water is heating, cut a lemon into several small pieces.
After that, place the pieces of lemon into the boiling water.
Let the Lemon Water Sit for a While
Place the pot of lemon water where the burnt smell is strongest. Let it sit lemon water sit for about 10 to 30 minutes to freshen up the room’s scent.
You can make more pots to place in other rooms.
Consider Cloves as an Alternative to Lemon Slices
You can also use cloves if you don’t have lemons.
The results should be the same.
2. Create Bowls of Onion Water
Cut an onion into a few small pieces.
Next, fill a bowl of water and place the pieces of onion into it. Follow these steps to make more bowls of onion water.
Place the Onion Water Bowls in Different Parts of the House
You should place one bowl in the kitchen to absorb the burnt smell. In addition to that, place other onion water bowls around various parts of your house.
This way, you’ll remove the smell completely. Also, you should leave the bowls for an entire night for the best results.
3. Create a Solution of Baking Soda
Baking soda can effectively remove kitchen odors. So, you should use it by transferring 4 ounces of baking soda to a few separate bowls.
After that, fill the bowls with water and mix the contents. You can then place the bowls around your home to eliminate the burnt smell.
4. Soak Bread with Vinegar
The combination of these materials makes a powerful agent for absorbing the burnt smell. So, fill a pot with some water.
Next, add 2 cups of vinegar to the pot of water.
Bring the Vinegar Solution to a Boil
Bring the vinegar and water solution to a boil. Allow the solution to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Next, dip a piece of bread in the vinegar solution until it’s completely soaked.
Place the Bread to Remove the Smell
Place different pieces of bread on separate plates. Keep the pieces of bread in various locations around the house.
Moreover, pick spots where the smell is the most potent.
Utilize the Vinegar Solution As Well
If you have some of the vinegar solution left, don’t throw it away.
Keep the bowl of vinegar in the kitchen to aid with absorbing the burnt smell.
Vinegar alone also absorbs the burnt smell, but it works better when it’s hot.
Method 3. Cover the Burnt Smell with a Fresh Scent
You can finish off the smell completely by replacing it with a fresh scent.
That said, this method is not necessary if the first or second work.
Here are some options you can consider for this method.
1. Spray Lemon Water in Your Home
Lemon has a fresh, citrus scent that can cover bad odors effectively. So, you can create a lemon water solution.
Pour equal parts of water and lemon juice into a spritzer bottle.
Shake the bottle thoroughly so that the contents mix well. Next, spray the solution in your kitchen and other parts of your home with a residual burnt smell.
2. Create a Baking Scent
You don’t have to bake something for your kitchen to smell like you’ve baked something delicious.
Here’s what you can do instead.
- Preheat your oven to 200F
- Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on a cookie sheet (you can use parchment paper if you like)
- Follow that with a tablespoon of butter
- Place the cookie sheet in the oven and turn off the heat
- Let the cookie sheet stay in the oven for about 2 to 4 hours
The result of this process will create a delicious baking smell in your kitchen and home if you allow air to circulate.
3. Spray an Essential Oil Air Freshener
You can make your own air freshener with essential oil. Pour 15 to 20 drops of essential oil into a spritzer bottle.
Follow that with two tablespoons of real vanilla extract, rubbing alcohol, or vodka.
Use an Appropriate Spritzer Bottle
Next, fill the rest of the bottle with about 3 quarters of a cup of water. It’s best to use a bottle that can contain a maximum of 8 ounces.
Shake the bottle to mix the contents well. After that, spray the solution in parts of your home that smell burnt.
4. Create an Air Freshener Using Perfume Oil
In a container, mix about 20 drops of perfume oil, 2 and a half tablespoons of brandy, 3 quarters of a cup of water, and 5 drops of tea tree oil.
Spray the Solution in Your Home
Transfer the contents into a spritzer bottle. Use a bottle with a maximum of 7 ounces. Shake the bottle to mix the contents.
You can then spray it in your kitchen and other parts of the home.
Last Few Words
You can also use aerosols to cover up a burnt smell in your kitchen or home. However, you will have to spend money on these.
In addition to that, they may leave a synthetic, chemical-like smell in your home.
You should only consider aerosols if you need a quick solution.
Be careful when using aerosols because they tend to have a strong smell, which can feel overwhelming if used in excess.
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