Cooking curry is exciting and beloved to so many people because of its rich flavors and spices. However, this aromatic dish’s smell is stubborn and sometimes permeates the kitchen and the entire house, which is not pleasing at all. You can easily restore a pleasant atmosphere by getting rid of the curry smell and ensuring the smell of the previous day’s meal doesn’t affect today’s.
Everyone wants to maintain a clean and fresh atmosphere in the house. So, it is essential to find effective solutions to remove the curry smell from the home. In this article, we will walk you through some fantastic techniques and remedies that will help you to combat the persistent and stubborn curry smell. By the end of the article, you will have no more confusion regarding the question: “how to get rid of curry smell in the house.” So, let’s get into the discussion!
What Contributes to the Stubborn Smell of Curry
Curry is a beloved dish enjoyed by people worldwide, but dealing with its stubborn smell is quite frustrating. The powerful and stubborn curry smell comes from different spices, like coriander, chili peppers, cumin, turmeric, etc. These spices release a stubborn smell when you heat them during cooking. Besides, the presence of garlic, ginger, onion, etc., also intensifies the smell of curry. This smell lingers for a long time because its compounds become trapped in your cookware surfaces and other cooking materials.
The greasy nature of curry leaves behind residue on the kitchen wall, appliances, and utensils. Also, the kitchen’s exhaust fan or air ducts accumulate curry smell over time. The most important concern is that this smell can be circulated throughout the house and ruin the home’s atmosphere to a great extent if you fail to address and take necessary steps immediately. Before implementing effective strategies to eliminate the curry smell from your kitchen, you must understand the factors contributing to this smell and why it tends to linger.
How to Get Rid of Curry Smell Immediately
The strong odor of curry dishes lasts for a long time after the meal, which is not a pleasant thing to deal with. You can eliminate the curry smell from your house by applying some effective steps immediately and avoiding some factors. Having a meal in a restaurant or hotel is a way to prevent this smell, but if you like to have fresh and delicious food at home, you can avoid the potent odor of curry dishes. Therefore, this article section is designed to educate you about effective ways to eliminate the curry smell immediately.
Improve Ventilation System
The first and quickest way to eliminate the curry smell is to keep your windows open to improve ventilation. Allow fresh air to get into your house and circulate freely. This step will significantly help to dissipate the strong smell of curry. Open the windows of your kitchen and other adjacent rooms. Even if it’s cold outside, wear a heavy jacket or sweater and let the fresh air enter the house.
Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers trap and neutralize particles, dust, dirt, filthy odors, and other substances in your house with activated carbon filters. Air purifiers can help get the curry smell out of the house effectively. Position the fans perfectly to create airflow towards the windows or ventilation system. This process will help push out the smell from your home and bring in fresh air from other parts.
Use Air Freshener
Air fresheners can be a helpful alternative to remove or neutralize the curry smell immediately. You can buy some scented candles or air fresheners with floral and mild scents that can help lighten the curry’s strong odor. It is better to place them strategically in your kitchen or other affected areas where you need to balance the smell. However, the excessive scent of the freshener should be avoided.
How to Get Rid of Curry Smell with Cleaning Strategies
You can remove the trapped curry smell from your kitchen appliances or other materials by applying effective cleaning strategies. In this section, we will explore some natural remedies that will help to absorb and neutralize the smell very efficiently.
Cleaning Kitchen Surfaces
You can start by wiping down the kitchen surfaces, like the countertops, kitchen cabinets, stove range hood, backsplash, cardboard doors, or other surfaces in the kitchen. Pay attention to these surfaces, as they are where the curry smell accumulates very easily. Consider using smell-neutralizing solutions after you cook the curry dishes. To remove grease and residue from the kitchen surfaces, you can make a warm water and dish soap solution. A bucket filled with equal amounts of water and vinegar will go well too. Wash away the solution with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Cleaning Kitchen Appliances
You should also use a good cleaning agent to remove the smell from kitchen appliances like spoons, sinks, basins, cookware sets, grinders, blenders, etc. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar to clean these kitchen appliances. This solution effectively neutralizes smell and eliminates the curry smell from the appliances. Rinse with clean water and clean and dry properly.
Washing Your Hands Properly
After cooking, you should clean your hands properly because they carry the curry smell with you wherever you go and affect the utensils you touch with the smell. Therefore, you must save yourself first. Some readily available hand-cleaning solutions include lemon juice, coffee grounds, or vinegar. Wipe your hands on a cloth or apron you use during cooking. After cooking the meal, wash the cloth.
Steam-cleaning Furniture
Your furniture and cushions might absorb the curry smell. In that case, it is better to consider a steam-cleaning method where steam can penetrate the fabric deeply and effectively remove the smell. You can also use baking soda on the upholstery and wait a few hours. Finally, vacuum thoroughly. Baking soda is a powerful smell absorber. Sprinkling this cleaning agent on upholstered furniture, rugs, and cushions will yield better results.
Managing the Microwave
If you use a microwave to prepare a curry dish, you should refresh the leftovers from it. Make a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda and a cup of water. Mix the ingredients well in a bowl. Now, microwave this mixture for 2-3 minutes and clean the inside area of the microwave using a damp cloth. This is how you can keep your microwave curry smell-free.
Fixing the Fabrics
We also recommend you pay attention to fixing the fabrics like curtains, pillow covers, tablecloths, mats, carpets, etc., because the curry smell has the chance to be wafted out of your kitchen and enter into the other rooms of your house. Wash the affected areas according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can apply a natural home remedy made of a cup of vinegar and water. Washing with this solution will help to neutralize the curry smell. Consider adding baking soda to the solution for a stubborn odor.
Tips and Tricks to Remember
Some additional tips and precautions regarding getting rid of your house’s curry smell will enhance your efforts’ effectiveness. Whatever precautions or tricks you follow, patience is essential throughout the process because it may take some time to combat the stubborn smell. Let’s check out how you can ensure consistency and a proactive approach.
- Store the Spices Properly: It is essential to store spices properly to prevent strong curry smells. Try to store them in an airtight container and keep them away from direct sunlight. Exposure to direct heat intensifies the flavor of the spices. So, store the containers of spices in a cool and dry place.
- Clean Kitchen Materials and Surfaces Regularly: Kitchen materials and surfaces tend to be accumulated by grease, oil, residues, and the smell of cooking food over time. So, you should regularly clean and maintain them to ensure proper ventilation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your precious kitchen materials and surfaces.
- Avoid Using Strong-smelling Cleaning Agents: Avoid using too intensive-smelling agents to clean the dishes. Even if the air freshener releases a powerful smell, it will create an uncomfortable atmosphere in your house. Consider choosing a very mild fragrance for whatever cleaning agent or scent you need.
- Use Natural Air Purifier: Consider using a natural air purifier to remove the curry smell. Substances like baking soda, vinegar, activated charcoal, coffee grounds, etc., are readily available in our house, making indoor air fresh.
FAQs
How long does it take for the curry smell to go away naturally?
The time the curry smell takes to go away naturally depends on several factors, including the cooking intensity, your house’s ventilation system, and the cleaning method you are applying. It may take a few hours to a few days for the curry smell to disappear completely.
How is vinegar as a cleaning agent for eliminating the curry smell?
Vinegar is a very effective cleaning agent used to neutralize your house’s curry smell. Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar and apply the solution to the affected area using a spray bottle. It’s not likely a permanent or long-term solution, but it is a quick solution to deodorize your home.
Can I use activated charcoal to remove the curry smell from my house?
Yes, activated charcoal is a great solution to eliminate the curry smell from the house. It works by observing and trapping the odor molecules and reducing the curry smell in the air. Take a small bowl full of baking soda and activated charcoal. Leave it in the affected areas and wait 2-3 days to absorb the curry smell.
How often should I clean my kitchen exhaust fan?
It is essential to maintain your kitchen exhaust fan regularly to prevent the buildup of smell and grease. You should clean the filter at least once a month. However, the frequency of cleaning depends on various factors, including the type of fuel you use, the type of food you serve, and the volume of your food. We recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions about cleaning the filter and the exhaust fan. Also, you should consider wiping down the blades, vents, and surfaces regularly.
Final Verdict
Getting rid of the powerful curry smell from the house is challenging, but with proper techniques and strategies, you can eliminate it successfully.
From this comprehensive article, you have various methods to combat the challenge of removing the curry smell and restoring a welcoming environment in your house. You can apply immediate actions or natural cleaning remedies to neutralize the smell.
Don’t forget to take precautions and ensure regular maintenance to prevent the buildup of curry smell. Properly using the methods mentioned in this article will help you enjoy a fresh and welcoming home free from the unpleasant odor of curry.