Cooking delicious meals can leave strong food odors in your apartment, especially if you're working with spices, frying oils, or local dishes like waakye, jollof rice, or banku. Since small apartments have limited ventilation, smells can linger for hours or even days. This guide will show you effective ways to eliminate cooking odors and keep your apartment smelling fresh.
The first step to getting rid of food odors is to ventilate your apartment.
✔ Open all windows and doors while cooking and after.
✔ Turn on exhaust fans or kitchen vents to remove odors quickly.
✔ Use a standing fan near the kitchen to push air out of the apartment.
Pro Tip: If your apartment has poor ventilation, place a small fan near a window to force air outside.
Natural ingredients like lemon, orange peels, and vinegar help neutralize strong food smells.
✔ Boil a pot of water with lemon slices and cloves—this removes grease and absorbs odors.
✔ Simmer white vinegar and water for 10 minutes to eliminate fried food smells.
✔ Boil cinnamon sticks to leave a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen.
Pro Tip: Keep a small bowl of vinegar or baking soda near the stove to absorb odors while cooking.
Baking soda is one of the best natural odor absorbers.
✔ Place small bowls of baking soda around the kitchen to absorb lingering smells.
✔ Sprinkle baking soda in trash cans and drains to prevent odor buildup.
✔ Make a baking soda paste (baking soda + water) and wipe down greasy surfaces.
Pro Tip: Replace baking soda every few days for maximum effectiveness.
Cooking smells get worse if grease, food particles, and trash are left behind.
✔ Wipe down stove, countertops, and cabinets with warm soapy water.
✔ Wash dishes immediately to prevent lingering food smells.
✔ Take out the trash daily, especially if it contains fish, meat, or onions.
✔ Mop floors with vinegar or lemon water to remove grease and odors.
Pro Tip: For strong smells like fried food, mix vinegar and dish soap in water and clean all surfaces.
If your apartment still smells after cooking, try natural air fresheners.
✔ Use coffee grounds in a bowl to absorb strong smells.
✔ Light scented candles or incense to replace unwanted odors.
✔ Use essential oils (lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus) in a diffuser.
✔ Hang dried herbs like rosemary or thyme in the kitchen.
Pro Tip: Avoid artificial air fresheners—they only mask odors instead of removing them.
Cooking smells can get trapped in curtains, carpets, and sofas, making them last longer.
✔ Wash curtains, cushion covers, and tablecloths regularly.
✔ Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and sofas, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum.
✔ Air out rugs and cushions in the sun to eliminate odors naturally.
Pro Tip: Use fabric sprays with essential oils to freshen up upholstery after cooking.
Grease and food buildup in kitchen appliances can cause long-lasting odors.
✔ Microwave: Heat a bowl of vinegar and lemon water for 5 minutes, then wipe clean.
✔ Fridge: Keep an open box of baking soda inside to absorb food smells.
✔ Oven: Wipe down the inside with a mix of baking soda and warm water.
Pro Tip: If your fridge smells bad, place a bowl of activated charcoal inside to absorb the odor.
Activated charcoal is a powerful natural deodorizer.
✔ Near the stove to absorb grease and food smells.
✔ Inside the fridge to remove strong food odors.
✔ In corners of the kitchen to keep the air fresh.
Pro Tip: Replace charcoal every 2-3 weeks for best results.
The best way to eliminate cooking odors is to stop them before they spread.
✔ Cover pots and pans while cooking to trap smells.
✔ Use a splatter guard when frying food to reduce grease buildup.
✔ Cook with windows open and fans running for ventilation.
✔ Keep a small bowl of vinegar near the stove to absorb smells.
Pro Tip: If cooking with strong spices, turn on the fan and open windows before you start.
Leftover food in trash bins and drains can cause long-lasting bad smells.
✔ Take out kitchen garbage daily, especially after cooking fish, onions, or meat.
✔ Clean trash cans with lemon or vinegar water once a week.
✔ Pour baking soda and hot water down the drain to remove grease buildup.
✔ Use citrus peels in the garbage disposal for a fresh scent.
Pro Tip: Keep a small dish of baking soda in the trash bin to absorb odors.
If you're looking for an apartment in Accra with proper ventilation and modern kitchens, Apartments.com.gh helps you:
✔ Find apartments with open kitchens and extractor fans.
✔ Compare rental listings with proper airflow and fresh air circulation.
✔ Connect directly with landlords who maintain clean, fresh-smelling apartments.
Start your apartment search today at Apartments.com.gh.
Getting rid of cooking smells in a small apartment in Accra requires good ventilation, deep cleaning, natural odor absorbers, and regular maintenance. By following these simple steps, you can keep your apartment smelling fresh even after cooking strong dishes.
Looking for a well-ventilated apartment? Visit Apartments.com.gh today to explore the best listings in Accra.
