WHEN your home still has an odor even after using candles, room sprays, and air filters, there might be something you’re overlooking.
According to the experts, there’s a specific spot in the kitchen that you need to clean – leaving it untended can make your house stink.
The cleaning experts at Homes and Gardens revealed the little-known source of bad smells, and the easy way to stop odors for good.
After cooking a full meal in the kitchen, you probably take care to dispose of any food scraps that could leave the room smelly.
And if you’re cooking with fish, onions, garlic, or other pungent aromatics, you can neutralize the odors with citrus fruits or coffee grounds.
If the smells persist, though, grease and grime could be caking the light fixtures in your kitchen – or even the bulbs themselves.
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“When was the last time you cleaned your lightbulbs?” asked the Homes and Gardens pros.
“Like any other surface in the kitchen, lightbulbs will attract grease,” they explained. “However, unlike your worktops, your lightbulbs also heat up.”
Even when you’re finished cooking, warm lightbulbs can re-heat the residue on the bulbs or the light fixtures.
That means your whole house could wind up with the “microwaved fish” smell days after you cook and eat a meal.
Luckily, it’s easy to cut through the grease and fix the embarrassing problem.
“When carrying out your regular cleaning, be sure to give your bulbs a quick wipe to remove grease and keep the space smelling fresh,” the experts said.
For safety’s sake, make sure to do this in the daytime, when the lights are turned off and use a dry microfiber towel if possible.
When a smell is particularly strong, you have a few options available to you.
Take down the sconces or hanging light fixtures, and clean them thoroughly with an appropriate product – when in doubt, a vinegar-and-water solution is typically effective and safe.
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Then, allow them to dry completely before you reinstall them and flip the lights back on.
For good measure, change your lightbulbs completely, and give them a weekly wipe-down going forward.
