Curry is a tasty dish of Indian cuisine prepared with many strong spices, such as turmeric and cumin; however, it can be difficult to remove the very strong smell from the apartment or room, as the spices release fragrant vapors during cooking. Even after finishing the preparation, their fragrance continues to penetrate the permeable surfaces of the house, such as walls, carpets, upholstery and curtains. To be able to eliminate the problem yourself, you need to destroy the fat molecules. By using a combination of different cleaning methods, you can rid the house of the smell of curry.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Covering the Smell
Step 1. Wash your face and hands with lemon or lime
While showering, rub a piece of citrus on areas that have likely absorbed kitchen vapors, such as your hands, face, and arms. The acidity of the fruit helps to break down the essential oils responsible for the persistent smell of spices; then complete the skin cleansing using soap and water as usual.
- Be careful not to rub the fruit on open wounds or cuts, as it could cause a stinging or burning pain.
- Then avoid wearing the same clothes you used when preparing the dish, such as a hat or a sweater.
Step 2. Use products to purify the air
You can use spray deodorants, stick aroma diffusers, electric or even scented candles. Also perfect are the air fresheners that you can spray on fabrics; spread them on all elements that are near the kitchen and that may have absorbed the humidity of the vapors, such as carpets, curtains, upholstery or even the walls.
- You can also use a combination of different substances, which is just as effective.
- Read the instructions on the package carefully to make sure you use the product accurately.
Step 3. Boil flowers or leaves that release a pleasant fragrance
Pour half a liter of water into a pot that you put on the stove and bring it to a boil; add some scented material, such as pandanus leaf extract or vanilla extract / bean, and simmer for at least an hour. The fragrance that is released hides the lingering odor of the curry.
- You can find pandanus leaves (from the Pandanus Parkinson plant) at oriental or ethnic specialty stores.
- There are no specific indications regarding the dosage of pandanus or vanilla that you have to add to the water; try to soak some twigs and possibly add others as needed.
- You can also try boiling other fragrances you already have on hand to get rid of the odor, such as 3 cups of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 6 cinnamon sticks.
Step 4. Let the fresh air in
Open the windows for a day or two to let the air circulate in the apartment; you can also replace the filter on the extractor hood or cooling system to prevent odors from re-circulating in the room.
Part 2 of 3: Cleansing Spray
Step 1. Mix vinegar and water to absorb odors
Combine 250ml of water with two tablespoons of white vinegar in a spray bottle; vinegar is a natural home remedy known for being able to deodorize rooms.
This is not a lasting solution, but you can eventually place bowls of vinegar in various areas of the house to counteract the strong odor
Step 2. Combine equal parts water and antimicrobial product in a spray bottle
You can buy it online or at supermarkets; this product contains live bacteria that eat the microorganisms responsible for the bad smell and is advertised as effective for freshening the air in the home.
Step 3. Spray the product of your choice throughout the home
Whether it is the solution with vinegar or with antimicrobials, spread it on every element, walls, cabinets, carpets, ceilings, kitchen filters and curtains including; pay particular attention to the areas where fat accumulates more easily, as these are the ones from which odors spread.
- Before spraying the product, do a small test on the various elements of the house, to check the resistance of the colors and make sure that the fabrics do not stain. Spray a small amount on a hidden area of the material, wait a few minutes and blot with a napkin; see if the fabric has changed its appearance or if the color has partially transferred to the cloth.
- Do not spray the product near appliances or electrical outlets.
- Read the instructions for use of the hood filter to check if it is washable; some can be washed with the cleaning solution, while others can be treated with soap and water. Other times, you need to replace them and in this case you can buy the parts at the hardware store.
Step 4. Use an antimicrobial solution to clean the pipes
Sink drains can often become clogged, causing odors that continue to saturate the air in your home. The antimicrobial agent can clear the ducts and thus eliminate bad odors.
Follow the instructions on the package regarding dosage and frequency of use
Step 5. Repeat the procedure once a week
If the smell does not go away immediately, spray the solution and ventilate the house once a week; this allows the active microbes to stay alive and continue to break down the odor-trapping fat.
If the smell remains after four treatments, try combining this method with other remedies
Part 3 of 3: Eliminate Persistent Odors
Step 1. Spread some baking soda on the carpet and let it sit overnight
Baking soda absorbs odors, so pour some on the carpet. Use just enough to create a light sheen of dust. Then leave it on for one night. Vacuum in the morning.
Be sure to keep pets and small children away from the carpet while the baking soda is on
Step 2. Clean carpet and upholstery with steam
You can hire a professional to do this kind of cleaning to free carpet and upholstery from bad smells or you can buy or rent a specific machine and do it yourself. Check out specialty stores that can offer you a variety of specialty cleaners to get rid of the stench, or try other solutions, such as bleach, vinegar, or peroxide whiteners.
- If you are using an antimicrobial solution, do not proceed with the steam treatment for at least a month; run four cleans with the solution before steaming.
- Do not regularly use vacuum cleaners and cleaners such as baking soda or carpet-specific cleaners, as they cannot deal with the insulating mat where odors get trapped.
- The costs for this specific and professional treatment can vary widely, depending on how many rooms need to be cleaned. In general, you could even spend 50 euros per room; some companies calculate rates based on square meters.
- The cost of renting steam cleaning machines is usually calculated by the hour, but you can also conclude a daily contract; you can get the detergent and the products at the hardware store in your city.
Step 3. Choose an ozone generator to destroy the stink molecules
Ozone (O3) is a reactive particle that attracts and reacts chemically with the molecules present in the air and on surfaces; the oxygen present in this gas changes the chemical structure of the molecules, eliminating the odor. You can buy this product online or at the hardware store and the price can vary from a few hundred euros up to a few thousand.
- The instructions generally involve leaving the machine on for an hour in a closed room, but you can also let it act for 3-4 hours.
- Ozone is effective in dissolving odors because it is a gas and is able to penetrate wherever the air arrives: walls, ceilings, carpets, upholstery fabrics and more.
- You can read other consumer reviews online describing various aspects of such generators, such as cost, size, durability and effectiveness.
- This appliance is suitable for environments where ozone is needed, for example areas where there are gaseous contaminants (such as the smell of curry); you shouldn't use it to eliminate allergens, as it is known to cause more health problems.
Step 4. Go for an air purification photocatalysis process
Contact a company that owns the specific machinery and deals with advanced oxidation processes; these are treatments that use air and water to create vaporized hydrogen peroxide and reactive particles with hydroxyl group with the aim of purifying the air and surfaces of the house. They don't just clean, they degrade chemical compounds that hold in odors.
- In most homes, treatment can be completed in 12 hours or less, with no need to move people, furniture, clothing and carpets elsewhere.
- You can also purchase a photocatalytic air purifier that uses the same technology to capture the particles responsible for odors; you can find purifiers and filters for sale online at an approximate price of 200 euros.
Step 5. Paint the walls
Use turpentine to loosen grease from kitchen surfaces; then remove the paint on the walls by peeling them, applying heat or using chemicals. Next, apply a sealant primer and odor blocker to prevent old stink and other new odors from seeping into the paint. finally, choose a paint and add odor-eliminating additives, such as vanilla or other chemicals.
- To get rid of the fat, mix the turpentine, flaxseed oil and white vinegar in equal parts; pour the resulting solution onto a light-colored cloth to rub the grease off the kitchen surfaces. When finished, there is no need to rinse, just let it dry and polish with a rag.
- Turpentine often releases a noxious smell, so be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area, wear rubber gloves and a face mask, making sure to cover the area with cloth or cardboard.
- When mixing additives with paint, add two tablespoons of vanilla extract for every 4 liters of paint; alternatively, mix in additives (which you can find in hardware stores or paint shops) that can actually eliminate odors, rather than just block them.
