10 Kitchen Cleaning Habits That Are Leaving Behind Bad Odors

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Nothing is more annoying than stepping into your kitchen, ready to make something delicious, and getting hit with an offensive smell. Sure, you may feel like you’re being clean, but even the best among us have a few kitchen hygiene blind spots. It’s the little cleaning habits (or lack of them) that leave behind funky smells sometimes. The truth is, bad odors can stick around because of things we often overlook or think are clean.

You’re not alone, don’t sweat it. Sniff out those bad habits so your kitchen doesn’t just look fresh, but smells like it too.

Not Cleaning Your Sponge Regularly

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The sponge you use to clean everything? Yeah, it’s a bacteria magnet. Your sponge is a breeding ground for germs that can cause lingering odors after scrubbing away at dirty dishes and countertops. To prevent it from becoming a stink bomb, toss it in the microwave for a minute (when damp) or run it through the dishwasher regularly.

Food Scraps in the Sink

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I’m sure we’ve all rinsed dishes and left a few scraps for ‘later’. However, those leftover bits of food can quickly start to rot and stink. Set aside some time to empty out the sink after each washing, or buy a drain catcher to catch food stuffs from trickling in.

Ignoring the Garbage Disposal

While your garbage disposal may whisk food waste away, that doesn’t mean it’s clean. Food particles and grease can become stuck over time and create some really bad smells. To keep the disposal fresh and odor free, try running lemon peels, ice cubes or a little baking soda and vinegar through it.

Not Emptying the Trash Bin Regularly

This may seem like an obvious one, but sometimes we let the trash sit for just a little too long. Although the bag may not be full, it can still retain smells from food scraps, particularly if you’ve been throwing in something wet. Empty the trash regularly and then scrub the bin with soapy water every now and then.

Storing Damp Dish Towels

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Even though damp dish towels may not seem like anything to worry about, they can get so musty if not dried properly. Rather than leaving them hanging on the counter or above the sink, search out a place to dry thoroughly between uses. Just don’t forget to wash them often, your nose will thank you.

Not Cleaning Your Refrigerator Properly

On the outside your fridge may seem spotless, but inside? Not always the case. It can have spills and forgotten leftovers lurking in the corners which isn’t very pleasant. Wipe down shelves and drawers regularly and don’t forget to check the expiration dates of items in the back. Baking soda is also a friend, just a little of it in the fridge can help absorb any lingering smells.

Leaving Your Oven and Stovetop Spills

Every time you cook, burnt food on your stovetop or inside your oven fills your kitchen with a smoky, charred scent. Don’t wait for a deep clean day and wipe up spills as soon as they happen. Keeping your kitchen odor free is as simple as a scrub.

Letting Dirty Dishes Sit too Long

I think we all know those days when the dishes pile up in the sink. Leaving the dirty dishes to sit can give you some pretty foul smells, especially if there’s food that has not come off them. If you can’t wash everything right away, at least rinse off the plates and utensils so you don’t have a stinky buildup.

Poorly Cleaned Cutting Boards

If you’re not cleaning your cutting board well, it’ll start to smell, and your cutting board goes through a lot. Rinsing it off after chopping onions or raw meat isn’t good enough. Scrub it well with hot soapy water and every so often sprinkle salt over it and rub with half a lemon for a deep clean that’ll keep it fresh.

Overlooking the Microwave

Have you ever heated up leftovers in the microwave and not cleaned up the splatters? The problem is, those food particles left behind are a breeding ground for odors. Keeping your microwave properly maintained takes very little effort and can keep it smelling fresh and ready for action. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after each use, or a steam clean with a bowl of water and lemon juice, will do the trick.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.