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Original poster

Why does my kitchen always smell?

45 replies

Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:03

Tried to look for a cleaning section to post this but there doesn’t seem to be one.

I keep my kitchen quite clean – never dishes in the sink for long, work top wiped down, wipe inside the fridge and I often wipe down the cupboards as they can get a bit dusty.

In an attempt to help the smell, before people come over I always empty the bin, recycling and little compost caddy and wipe all out with dettol spray, close the dishwasher, remove and clean the cat’s bowl (she eats twice a day, no litter tray), often have a quick wipe of everything so also running water down the sink. But there still seems to be a smell I can’t pinpoint.

I have tried drain unblocker, washing machine cleaner, dishwasher cleaner. I’m pescatarian and starting to wonder if a food smell has penetrated something! But I have sniffed every part of the kitchen and nothing in particular smells bad (so I can’t pinpoint it) and it’s not a smell of rotting or damp, it’s just a weird smell. What can it be coming from?

I Open the window regularly, people have assured me my house doesn’t smell (I sometimes ask if they can tell I have a cat so they aren’t so “on the spot”) so this is driving me mad. I just want to have a fresh clean smelling house/kitchen

OP posts:
Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:04

Oh I also vacuum regularly and sometimes mop!

OP posts:
TLDRfuckers · 15/09/2023 21:04

If your poor cat has no litter tray where do they use?

EbiRaisukaree · 15/09/2023 21:05

You don’t mention ever opening the window. This could make all the difference.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cleaning
Cookerhood · 15/09/2023 21:05

TLDRfuckers · 15/09/2023 21:04

If your poor cat has no litter tray where do they use?

Outside presumably! What a strange question.

Mamette · 15/09/2023 21:06

i don’t know the answer but there is a “housekeeping” board where people might be more knowledgeable.

Usually it’s the drain, you’ve tried that. Random rotten potato behind a cupboard?

Mamette · 15/09/2023 21:07

EbiRaisukaree · 15/09/2023 21:05

You don’t mention ever opening the window. This could make all the difference.

Confused
Cheeesus · 15/09/2023 21:08

Dead mouse somewhere?

Torturedsoul · 15/09/2023 21:09

EbiRaisukaree · 15/09/2023 21:05

You don’t mention ever opening the window. This could make all the difference.

Literally says that she opens a window regularly.

GalileoHumpkins · 15/09/2023 21:10

EbiRaisukaree · 15/09/2023 21:05

You don’t mention ever opening the window. This could make all the difference.

Yes she does mention it, really bloody clearly 😐

BippityBoppityBooHooHoo · 15/09/2023 21:10

Now I know I sound slightly mad, but I had the same issue not long ago. It was like a weird dishwasher smell but on clean plates/bowls...I've never met a person who can smell it but when it gets up my nose I literally can't smell anything else. Anyway, turned out it was my newly washed kitchen utensils I had out on the side in a pot. Funking fowl. As soon as I hand washed them, the smell went.

TinDogTavern · 15/09/2023 21:11

Fridge/fridge freezer drip tray might want cleaning. Mine made my kitchen HONK.

TomatoSandwiches · 15/09/2023 21:12

Could be your drain, pop a cup of soda crystals down and then white vinegar, followed by a freshly boiled kettle with some lemon squeezed into it.
Best to do it once a week really.

On top of your cupboards can get greasy and smell musty, line them with paper and change once a month.

Ovens, if they aren't kept clean they can leave a lingering odur even when not in use, this applies to extractor fans as well, the filters need cleaning every 3-6 months depending on what type.

Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:14

EbiRaisukaree · 15/09/2023 21:05

You don’t mention ever opening the window. This could make all the difference.

I did in the last paragraph. I usually leave it open when people are over as I’m so paranoid about the odd smell

OP posts:
Mum2jenny · 15/09/2023 21:14

Open windows and doors regularly, bins emptied regularly, all mice traps checked, drains degreased, and all should be good. If in doubt, get a vanilla spray (aka my dh) as it kills all known smells but it is really really strong and will affect the flavour of any cups of tea around.

Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:14

Cookerhood · 15/09/2023 21:05

Outside presumably! What a strange question.

Show quote history

Yes they go in the garden or the field beyond

OP posts:
Rainraingoawaycomebackanotherday · 15/09/2023 21:15

Clean the extractor fan?

thenightsky · 15/09/2023 21:16

EbiRaisukaree · 15/09/2023 21:05

You don’t mention ever opening the window. This could make all the difference.

She literally says so in the OP... I Open the window regularly Hmm

Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:17

Cheeesus · 15/09/2023 21:08

Dead mouse somewhere?

Ohh I hope not! Taking off the kick boards is one of the only things I haven’t tried as I know there are probably spiders under there 🙈

OP posts:
Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:19

BippityBoppityBooHooHoo · 15/09/2023 21:10

Now I know I sound slightly mad, but I had the same issue not long ago. It was like a weird dishwasher smell but on clean plates/bowls...I've never met a person who can smell it but when it gets up my nose I literally can't smell anything else. Anyway, turned out it was my newly washed kitchen utensils I had out on the side in a pot. Funking fowl. As soon as I hand washed them, the smell went.

Oh how strange! I often leave wooden spoons out, I will give them a sniff. Were yours wood or plastic?

OP posts:
Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:20

TomatoSandwiches · 15/09/2023 21:12

Could be your drain, pop a cup of soda crystals down and then white vinegar, followed by a freshly boiled kettle with some lemon squeezed into it.
Best to do it once a week really.

On top of your cupboards can get greasy and smell musty, line them with paper and change once a month.

Ovens, if they aren't kept clean they can leave a lingering odur even when not in use, this applies to extractor fans as well, the filters need cleaning every 3-6 months depending on what type.

Thank you, this has given me some things to try. I don’t clean on top of the cupboards and haven’t done the oven or extractor in a while!

OP posts:
Original poster
Kat19899 · 15/09/2023 21:22

I’m going to investigate the fridge drip tray, I don’t even know what it is 😳 but I sometimes get a phantom smell in the fridge when no individual food smells bad. How often are you all emptying/cleaning your drip trays?? 😳

OP posts:
floofbag · 15/09/2023 21:23

Do you know how to take your plug apart in your sink because I did it to my Mum's and it was full of rotting food .
It's easy to do . I'll see if I can find a tutorial

TLDRfuckers · 15/09/2023 21:25

Cookerhood · 15/09/2023 21:05

Outside presumably! What a strange question.

Show quote history

Not on a thread about a smelly house or room it isn’t. It could be that the cat has had to go indoors at some point.

if litter trays are emptied regularly they don’t smell. Whereas over time dried in cat pee somewhere unknown yet indoors will.

ParadiseLaundry · 15/09/2023 21:27

BippityBoppityBooHooHoo · 15/09/2023 21:10

Now I know I sound slightly mad, but I had the same issue not long ago. It was like a weird dishwasher smell but on clean plates/bowls...I've never met a person who can smell it but when it gets up my nose I literally can't smell anything else. Anyway, turned out it was my newly washed kitchen utensils I had out on the side in a pot. Funking fowl. As soon as I hand washed them, the smell went.

I know exactly the smell you mean!

WonderingWanda · 15/09/2023 21:30

The extractor fan really holds the smell of fish. I always bung mine in the dishwasher after cooking fish on the hob. Dishwasher filter is another one. Also make sure you clean the floor around the cat food bowl area, that always seems to get a but stinky even though my cat eats dry food.