How to Make the Kitchen Smell Good Naturally

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

The kitchen is the heart of a home. Whether we love to cook or not, it seems like we’re always in the kitchen. It’s our social hub. There’s nothing that bonds a family together like gathering to share a meal together. And the aromas of fresh-baked cookies or simmering spaghetti sauce draw us in and nourish our souls with a lifetime of memories. But cooking fish or broccoli…not so pleasant! So how can you keep your kitchen smelling good? And which essential oils work best in the kitchen?

First thing…avoid using a heavy floral room spray or plugin in the kitchen to cover or mask odors. Why? Well, there are many reasons not to use room sprays or synthetic air fresheners, but for now, know that we avoid them in the kitchen because they overwhelm your nose when you rely on it the most. You need your nose working at full capacity to properly season and spice food or to check the freshness of refrigerated items. 

Our sense of taste is hugely influenced by our sense of smell. (When you read this article from The Institute of Culinary Education, notice how they use the aroma of Eucalyptus essential oil  in one of their signature culinary experiences.)  So if you want to enjoy the flavor of your food, use complementary, herbaceous aromas only in your kitchen diffuser. We’ll share some recipes in a moment. Let’s consider some practical steps to take first…

How to make the kitchen smell good in three easy steps

1. Keep the kitchen clean. Many unpleasant smells come from appliances like dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, stovetops, and refrigerators, so clean them thoroughly. But smells can also get trapped in rugs or mats. Keep a spray bottle of cleaning solution using Lemon or Thyme handy to quickly clean up spills and wipe down surfaces.

2. Eliminate odors as they happen. Cut through smoky smells by brewing some coffee. Throwing ice cubes and lemon peels in the garbage disposal disperses a fresh smell and cleans itself at the same time. Use a charcoal filter splatter screen as you fry food. Invest in a trash can that has a close-fitting lid and sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the garbage bag. Bake strong-smelling food like fish or broccoli in the oven, rather than stovetop.

3. Simmer good smells. Simmer pots are an excellent way to make the kitchen smell good. If you’re cooking strong-smelling foods like fish, add ½  cup of white vinegar to the water in your simmer pot. The steam absorbs odors so they don’t spread throughout the house.

Here are some essential oil recipes that will make your kitchen smell good.

Make Your Kitchen Shine Natural Disinfectant Spray
This is a quick, easy, bleach-free-substitute cleaner.

In a spray bottle, combine:

• • 2 cups hot water
  • 10 drops Thyme
  • ¼ cup washing soda
    Swirl gently to combine, then spray and wipe with a dry or damp rag. It works best when the water is hot/warm, so single batches are recommended.

Kitchen Simmer Essential Oil Recipes 

If you have apple, orange, or lemon peels, or dried herbs that are getting old, throw them in your simmer pot, not the garbage can. Also, use either recipe in a spray bottle to make a smellin’ good spritzer!

Savory  

• • • 3 cups water brought to a boil
    • 3 drops Rosemary
    • 3 drops Sage 
    • 3 drops Thyme
    • 3 drops Basil Chavicol

Turn the water down to a simmer and add oils. 

Refresh with water and oils as needed

Sweet 

• • • 3 cups water brought to a boil
    • 3 drops Cardamom Dark
    • 2 drops Cinnamon Leaf
    • 2 drops Clove Bud
    • 4 drops Nutmeg
    • 5 drops Orange Sweet 

Turn the water down to a simmer and add essential oils. 

Refresh with water and oils as needed.

Kitchen Floor Mat Aromatherapy Freshener — antibacterial/antifungal

• • 1 part warm water with 3 parts white vinegar
  • 3 drops Eucalyptus Globulus
  • 3 drops Lemongrass
  • 2 drops Lavender
  • 3 drops Peppermint 
  • 2 drops Tea Tree.

Lightly spritz the air over the mat.

If you’d like more tips on how to make the kitchen smell good, or other aromatherapy solutions, download our free ebook, The Art & Science of Blending Essential Oils. It reminds you of the importance of writing down the recipes you try. Otherwise, you might forget!

Photos by Jimmy Dean, ksama,  Gaelle Marcel, and Dulkimso Hakim Santoso.