Magazine Moments- 10 Instant Cures for Any Kitchen Odor s3e1

You cleaned the kitchen, wiped the counters, and even tackled the stovetop. So why does it STILL smell like last Tuesday's fish dinner in there? 🐟 Julie & Janis are back with a fresh Magazine Moment, diving into BobVila.com's "10 Instant Cures for Any Kitchen Odor" and let's just say, things got a little spicy. There was a vodka recipe (not a cocktail, we promise), a heated debate about sponges (Janis's husband is never going to live this down), and the revelation that apple pie might just be the most alluring scent known to mankind. You're welcome. Whether it's your garbage disposal, your fridge, your drain, or your oven making your kitchen smell like a science experiment, this episode has your solution with no harsh chemicals required! 1. Feed Lemons to Your Garbage Disposal Save citrus peels in the fridge or freezer for a quick sink refresh Run them through the disposal twice a month to bust the funk Janis's pro tip: freeze lemon rinds WITH vinegar in ice cube trays. The ice cleans the blades AND deodorizes at the same time No lemons? Oranges work too ~ anything citrusy! 2. Keep Your Sponges Dry (Or Better Yet…) Wet sponges are basically bacteria motels — smelly, slimy, and spreading funk everywhere Squeeze them out after every use and store where air can circulate Julie and Janis's strong opinion: just toss the stinky thing! Their go-to alternatives: Scrub Daddy sponges and Swedish dishcloths (compostable AND sponge-like) Bonus points if your husband actually puts it in the dishwasher — baby steps, people 3. Spritz a Homemade Freshener Julie's recipe: ¾ vodka + ¼ water + 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil Spritz around the kitchen, or use it on your mattress after making the bed The alcohol evaporates, taking the odors with it Warning: do NOT drink this. 4. Clean Your Garbage Can and Recycling Bin Every time you take out the trash, give the inside a quick wipe-down Little drips from "almost empty" containers are odor culprits hiding in plain sight This is also a great way to repurpose a sponge on its way OUT 5. Cancel Out Cooking Smells After cooking fish or anything pungent, boil 1 cup water + 3 tablespoons white vinegar on the stovetop The steam neutralizes the smell throughout the kitchen OR simply leave a bowl of white vinegar near the stove to deodorize the area 6. Start a Stove Simmer Create a homemade liquid potpourri: water + mint + orange rind + sliced lemons + cinnamon Let it simmer on low, adding water as needed It won't just freshen your kitchen — it'll make the whole house smell amazing Real estate tip from Janis: baking a frozen apple pie before an open house is apparently irresistible to buyers (science says so ~ look it up!) 7. Put Baking Soda in Your Fridge** Skip the big open box, just try a small ramekin of baking soda instead Refresh it every couple of weeks when you're doing your regular fridge clean-out Julie's tip: store your baking soda sealed in Tupperware in the cupboard so it doesn't absorb odors BEFORE it even gets to the fridge 8. Don't Forget Your Exhaust Fan Check those filters above your stove monthly, grease and dust trap odors like magnets While you're at it, vacuum the bathroom exhaust fan too 9. Scour the Drain That little drain catcher gets slimy. Scrub it or toss it in the dishwasher Drain refresh: pour in 1 cup salt + 1 cup baking soda, follow with a kettle of boiling water Let it sit a couple of minutes, then run cold water for one minute Note: check your pipe material before using boiling water! 10. Bake Some Lemons (Yes, Really) If your oven smells a little… lived in… place lemon and orange rinds on a sheet pan and bake The released oils temporarily freshen the oven Julie's note: or just clean it 😂 (but this is a great follow-up refresh!) *Bonus Tip:* Bake cookies. Or apple pie. Science is science. --- Key Takeaways Your kitchen doesn't need harsh chemicals or expensive products to smell fresh. Most of these solutions use things you already have — citrus peels, baking soda, white vinegar, and yes, vodka. Small, consistent habits (clean the drain catcher, refresh the baking soda, check those filters) make a HUGE difference over time. Sound familiar, Declutterers? Small Doable Doses work for odors too! --- Connect With Us! Join our FREE Facebook Community: ABC DEclutter with JJ - Community 💻 Visit us at: www.ABCDeclutter.com Ready for Real Accountability? If you're tired of feeling behind and want a community of people who genuinely GET IT, come join the Clutter Crushers Club — our membership community where we declutter TOGETHER in live sessions twice a month. No judgment. Just action, laughter, and real results. 👉 Join us at www.ABCDeclutter.com If You Enjoyed This Episode... Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (Julie says you should because they're "so amazing," and honestly, she's not wrong!) Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and ~ as always ~ Keep Decluttering!