How to Get Indian Smell Out of Apartment

Indian food is rich in traditional spices, and the aroma of these spices loves to linger. That lingering smell, especially in closed spaces and small kitchens of small apartments, can feel overpowering over time. Garlic, ginger, onion, turmeric, cumin, tadka – you name it – the powerful smell of these tends to stick to the kitchen walls or penetrate into furniture and fabrics.

But don’t worry. The stubborn smell does not have to linger for long. You can drive them off completely with a little bit of planning and smart moves. Here are some proven tips and smart hacks to get rid of the “Indian” smell out of your apartment. Follow them and you will not need to give up your curry to keep your apartment fresh.

Deep Clean Soft Fabrics 

All soft fabrics are smell magnets. They absorb the most odours very easily, and therefore you must pay close attention to cleaning them regularly. This will ensure you get rid of the smell from your apartment without great difficulty. 

• Wash: You should wash cushion covers, bed sheets, and curtains fortnightly as these tend to absorb the majority of the smell. 
• Dry: Always dry washed fabric in sunlight. This is crucial because the UV rays kill both bacteria and odour.
• Sprinkle: Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the mattress and sofa and let it set overnight. This will remove the odour successfully. Clean it later. 
• Steam: Steam cleaning is recommended once in a couple of months, especially for upholstery. 

In addition, you must expose rugs and durries to direct sunlight and air to remove the smell. However, you may skip washing soft toys, floor cushions, and padded stools, but make sure they are dusted and cleaned regularly. 

Detox Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen in your apartment is the smell or spice factory. Every time you cook your favourite dish, it emits a volcano of the smell of the spices and other ingredients. It is, however, quite easy to reduce smell generation and its effect. 

For example, you may run vinegar and lemon steam inside the microwave or soak chimney filters in hot soapy water monthly. Additionally, you should clean oven trays and grills with a metal scrubber and also clean the toaster regularly to remove the toaster crumbs.

Also, ensure regular cleaning of your grinder jar lids, grease collector trays of tandoor and air fryer, and most importantly, the base area of ​​rice cookers and kettles that store a huge amount of odours.

Remove Grease from Cabinet Walls and Backsplash

You cannot prevent oil mist from forming while cooking. This, typically, sticks to the kitchen and cabinet walls and the backsplash. Unlock the smell by cleaning them regularly.

• Walls: Wipe the whole kitchen wall clean using a solution made with dish soap, white vinegar and warm water.
• Cabinet: Clean the top layer and other external surfaces of cabinets, especially with a grease cutter. 
• Backsplash: Use a toothbrush to clean the grout accumulated on the tiles. It is time-intensive but more effective. 

Furthermore, keep a close watch on the kitchen ceiling and do not let the corners get dirty. This is where the smell settles. Also, invest in applying an odour-blocking primer on wall paint at least once a year and new lining sheets on sticky shelves. These are a couple of smart hacks that experts often recommend. 

Improve Apartment Ventilation 

Not only the kitchen, but also the ventilation of the entire apartment should be proper and adequate to remove the smell easily through uninterrupted airflow. Typically, smell will stay back and linger if it does not have a proper way to escape. If your apartment has a balcony, the best thing to do is to keep airflow running between the entry and the balcony.

Therefore, ensure that you keep windows open every morning and evening, especially while cooking. It is advised to keep opposite windows open for cross ventilation. Also, run exhaust fans for 20 minutes after every cooking session.

Additionally, you may use a portable fan and set the angle of it from the cooking space towards the exit. Experts also suggest installing mesh vents above the kitchen. 

Use Natural Odour Absorbers 

This smart hack involves using chemical-free solutions. These solutions are specially created to absorb all kinds of smells naturally, and, therefore, you do not need to wear a mask while living in your apartment anymore!

• Activated charcoal: Keep bowls of activated charcoal in a corner of every room in your apartment.
• Coffee grounds: Leave coffee grounds in open containers in the fridge and dining room.
• Cloves and cinnamon: Simmer cinnamon sticks and cloves in water for 30 minutes daily.
• Baking soda: Make small baking soda pouches and keep them in a shoe rack, wardrobe, and drawer.
• White vinegar: Keep white vinegar bowls near the stove after dinner.
• Neem leaves and camphor: Keep neem leaves and camphor in closed wardrobes.

Repaint Stained Walls

Sometimes, the smell, especially the old smell, penetrates so deeply that the paint itself has to be changed. You can easily lock old smell in by applying degreaser on oil stains and yellowed walls and then scrub them thoroughly. 

Additionally, you may use a primer and enamel paint combo for the best odour seal or anti-fungal and odour lock formula in kitchen paint. Apart from locking in old smell, such a colour change will also add to the visual appeal and give a refreshed look.

While painting, it is important to ensure that you apply two coats on the ceiling and corners, especially and touch up once every 12 to 18 months.

Smart Cook Hacks

You do not have to change your taste or habits and compromise on dishes to remove the smell from your apartment. You simply have to be smart while cooking! Ideally, getting rid of smell from your apartment is a regular process and certainly not a change in palate. However, you must develop a habit to prevent such odours.

Ensure that you use tight lids while frying a dish. Also, wipe the stove area immediately and properly after frying or roasting spices. Turn on the fans and open the windows before and after cooking.

Use a pressure cooker or a slow cooker to cook any gravy-based dish. Also, do not let accidental spillage sit on the cooktop or kitchen top. Clean them immediately to prevent odours from setting in over time.

Most importantly, strictly avoid reusing cooking oil. Ideally, it is best to change it after every fry.

A Special Hack

A camphor and salt combo burner is a special hack you can perform. It will do magic and provide quick results. Try it and feel the difference.

Burn two camphor balls and one spoonful of salt. The room will be fresh, and the bugs will also go away. Perform this ritual for 5 minutes every evening. It is also very effective for the pooja room, kitchen and bathroom corners. 

The smoke is natural, and therefore will cause no harm. However, use it in limited quantities if you have a sensitive nose. It is safe to burn them in a wooden bowl or a diya.

Wash Kitchen Fabrics Weekly

You must pay close attention to cleaning the kitchen fabrics weekly. This includes aprons, gloves, and mittens. Ensure you do not skip cleaning the small things because they hold the smell, too.

• Wash dishcloths and gloves every 3–4 days
• Soak cotton aprons in a mixture of detergent and vinegar
• Change sponges and loofahs monthly
• Do not store wet napkins in airtight containers and 
• Replace drawer linings frequently.

A Few Bonus Tips

You must always buy a certified carbon filter air purifier for the kitchen and change or clean chimney filters every 3 months. Additionally, you must upgrade the filters of air purifiers and use a dehumidifier in the rainy season.

Air circulation is very important to remove smell from an apartment, and therefore, it should be increased by using smart home sensors. Additionally, you may also install charcoal filter inserts in the fridge and cabinets and oil vapor filters that will help in removing the smell.

Additionally, you can:

• Use essential oils wisely in the diffuser
• Spray the tea tree oil and water mixture after cooking
• Keep peppermint oil in the bathroom and bedroom corners
• Create scent zones in every room 
• Use incense sticks or freshener sachets 
• Use lavender pillow sprays 
• Use the neutraliser only in the kitchen
• Use Bamboo charcoal jars for the bathroom
• Use citrus or mint scents 

Final Words

You do not have to give up Indian cooking to get rid of the smell from your apartment. Follow these tips and hacks to retain the smell of the spices on the plate and maintain a clean and fragrant home. Manage it wisely and keep the apartment natural, fresh, and guest-ready with a disciplined routine and smart cleaning tactics. Regular action and mindful cooking should leave the flavour in the kitchen, not in the entire house.

FAQs 

Q1: How long does it take to completely remove the curry smell?

A1: If deep cleaning is done and there is proper airflow, then the light smell goes away in 2–3 days. For a strong smell, it may take 10–14 days.

Q2: Do AC and closed rooms increase the smell?

A2: Yes, mainly due to a lack of air circulation, the smell gets trapped. That is why you must always ventilate.

Q3: Are air fresheners helpful?

A3: Yes, they are, but only masking is done. Natural absorbents like charcoal or vinegar are more effective.

Q4: Which paint should be used for kitchen walls?

A4: A combo of odour-blocking primer and semi-gloss enamel is best for the kitchen.

Q5: What is the best low-budget hack?

A5: White vinegar bowls and baking soda sachets are the most affordable and effective.