Deodorizers for Garlic Odors in a Kitchen

White Vinegar

• Though vinegar boasts a rather pungent odor of its own, the smell dissipates quickly, taking other odors with it. Boil a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water together on the stove while cooking with garlic; the vinegar steam to help neutralize the odors in the air. Soak a small hand towel in white vinegar and wave it around the room as another useful way to cut through odors in the air.

Coffee Grounds

• It’s difficult to peel garlic without getting the smell all over your hands. If you didn’t wear gloves and washing your hands did nothing to get rid of the smell, use coffee. Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds onto your hands and rub them together until the smell is gone. You can also use used coffee grounds that have dried out for the same results. Sprinkle some in plastic containers that may have retained garlic odors and close them up with lids. Leave them for a couple days and the odor should be gone.

Baking Soda

• Acting both as an odor absorber and a mild abrasive that won’t scratch and damage your appliances and cookware, baking soda is highly useful in combating strong odors such as garlic. Make a paste of baking soda and water to scrub away garlicky sauces and foods that may have become stuck on your stove or cookware. Place bowls of baking soda around the kitchen to help absorb the garlic smell in the air. Use a small dish in the refrigerator if the smell of garlic from leftovers is a problem.

Lemons

• With a mild acidity and a pungent smell, lemons provide a natural and effective way to eliminate tough garlic odors. Cut up a lemon into pieces and boil them in water for about 20 minutes to help deodorize the air in the kitchen. If garlic went down your garbage disposal and the odor is still there, drop pieces of lemons into it and turn on the cold water faucet. The citrus smell of lemons will give your garbage disposal a fresh, clean smell. If garlic odors are clinging to the cutting board you used to cut it on, slice a lemon in half and wipe it over the cutting board until the odor is gone.