How to Get the Burnt Smell Out of the House: 10 Quick and Easy Tips

Are you wondering how to get the burnt smell out of the house? Then, you are at the right blog post. I am also one of those many house owners who deal with this frustrating issue but luckily I found a solution to deal with this annoying smell. Read this informative guide and make your home smell nice again. So without wasting a minute, let’s get started!

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Quick Answer 

To answer quickly, there are solutions to make your home smell fresh again. For that, you’d need the following things:

1. Natural odor absorbents;
2. Baking soda;
3. Air purifiers.

However, there are more items and techniques to remove the burnt smell. So, the real question is how to use the items effectively. For this purpose, continue reading as I’ve explained in my in-depth guide on how to tackle it. Let’s dive into the details!

6 Helpful Things to Get Rid of the Burnt Smell

Here are a range of natural remedies that help me and I’m sure can save the day for you. From baking soda to coffee beans, these households can have your back when eliminating unpleasant odors. Let’s learn more about them:

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile and cost-effective household item with many uses, including neutralizing odors. Its fine, powdery texture and natural alkalinity make it an excellent odor absorber of burnt smells.

Here’s how you can use it to remove the burnt smell as soon as possible.

1. Placing an open container of soda where the burnt smell is lingering. It will absorb odors over time, leaving the space smelling fresh.
2. If there is a burnt smell in carpets or rugs, sprinkle a thin layer, leave it for a few hours, and vacuum it up. 
3. For surfaces like ovens and stovetops, apply soda paste (baking soda + water) and let it sit for a while. Then scrub it and rinse thoroughly. 

2. White Vinegar

White vinegar is a powerhouse for cleaning and deodorizing. Its acidic nature effectively breaks down and neutralizes odors, including burnt food smells. However, to remove the smell, do the following:

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water to clean countertops and walls. 
2. Spray the mixture into the air to freshen the environment.
3. Boil water and vinegar on the stove. In this way, the steam-carrying vinegar will work as an odor-neutralizer, removing the burnt smell from the air.
4. To tackle stubborn odors, place bowls of white vinegar in the affected area for some time to absorb the smell. 

3. Coal Bags

Coal bags may not be the most common remedy, but they have been used as natural odor absorbers for generations.

The porous nature of coal allows it to trap and neutralize unpleasant smells effectively. Here’s how to use it:

1. Fill a plastic bag with coal pieces, as it acts as a powerful odor absorber.
2. Position the coal-filled bags where the burnt food smell persists.
3. Over time, it absorbs the smell, and you can also recharge them by placing coal bags in direct sunlight for better absorbing power.

4. Salt

Salt is an everyday household item that can be remarkably effective at deodorizing and removing unpleasant odors. Here’s how it can remove unpleasant odors. 

• Sprinkle salt over the area where the burnt food smells are lingering to allow the salt to absorb.
• For stovetops, create a salt scrub. Mix salt with warm water to form a paste, and use it to scrub the affected areas. 
• For closed spaces like closets or cupboards, you can place salt bowls as they absorb moisture and maintain a fresh environment.

5. Coffee Beans

Coffee beans are a powerful natural deodorizer that can eliminate burnt food smells and provide a delightful aroma. Let’s see how coffee beans can help:

1. Place a bowl of whole coffee beans where the burning smell lingers, as it will absorb unpleasant fragrances.
2. Spread coffee grounds on a tray and enjoy it as your “ground coffee air freshener.”
3. Place a small container within to keep your closet smelling fresh and maintain a pleasant scent.

6. Lemon Juice

Read on to learn more about how you can take advantage of lemon’s acidity to remove a burnt smell. 

1. Mix lemon juice with water to create a versatile cleaning solution. Use it to wipe down surfaces in kitchen counters.
2. Boil a pot of water with lemon slices, as steam will carry the pleasant lemon scent throughout your home.
3. Mix lemon and baking soda to clean the countertops with burnt marks. 

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7-Step Guide How to Get the Burnt Smell Out of the House and Clean Area Easily

Let’s address the essential steps you should take to clean the affected food burn area. These initial actions are crucial in preparing your space for odor removal. So, make sure you’re following it carefully. Let’s head over it!

1. Get Everything Out of The Kitchen That You Burned

The first step in dealing with a burned smell in your house is to eliminate the source of the odor. Removing it is essential, whether it’s a pot of food on the stove, something in the oven, or even a burnt toaster pastry. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn off the heat source to prevent further burning.
2. Use oven mitts or potholders to safely remove the burnt item, ensuring you don’t touch it directly.
3. Discard the burnt item outside, as it might continue to emit odors. 

2. Let Some Fresh Air in by Opening the Windows

Ventilation is crucial to dissipate the burnt smell. Opening your windows allows fresh air to flow, carrying away the unpleasant odor. So, let’s see how to do the following:

1. Open your windows to create a cross-breeze.
2. Allow fresh air to circulate for at least 15–30 minutes or until the odor has diminished.

3. Use a Fan or an Air Purifier

The next step is to enhance the airflow in your home.

For that: 

1. Identify and turn on any ceiling fans or standalone fans in your home.
2. Ensure they’re set to the highest setting to maximize air circulation.
3. If you have an air purifier, turn it on as well, ideally in the same room as the source of the burnt smell.

4. Clean The Surfaces

Cleaning surfaces that have absorbed the burnt food smell is essential. Therefore, a salt and baking soda mixture can be an effective cleaning solution. Here’s how to deal with it:

1. In a bowl, mix equal parts of salt and baking soda to create a paste.
2. Using a sponge or cloth, apply the paste to surfaces like stovetops.
3. With a gentle, circular motion, scrub the affected areas to lift any residual odors.
4. Rinse the surface with water and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. 

5. Scrub The Stove, Microwave, And Dishwasher

If your dishes or kitchen appliances have absorbed the burnt food smell, you can do the following for getting rid of it:

1. Wash all dishes and utensils in hot, soapy water (dish soap and water).
2. For stubborn odors, sprinkle baking soda in the dishwasher. 
3. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of water and microwave it to remove the odors in the microwave. Next, wipe down the microwave interior.
4. To clean the oven, use baking soda and water paste. Let it sit overnight, and clean it the next day to remove the smell completely. 

6. Clean The Smelly Items in The Washing Machine

Here’s how to remove the smell from the clothes.

1. Identify any fabric items that may have absorbed the odor, such as curtains, tablecloths, or cloth napkins.
2. Add a quarter cup of baking soda to the laundry detergent in your washing machine.
3. Wash the fabric items as you typically would. The baking soda will help eliminate the odors.

7. Vacuum The Carpet

To refresh your carpet, you can do the below-mentioned steps:

1. Combine equal parts of salt and baking soda in a bowl.
2. Generously sprinkle the salt and baking soda mixture over the carpeted areas.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 15–30 minutes.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the mixture along with the absorbed odors. 

3 Additional Methods of How to Get Burnt Food Smell Out of the House

When concealing the persistent odor of burnt popcorn smell or another food item, various methods and products can provide a breath of fresh air. Explore these effective solutions for masking unwanted smells and bringing a pleasant fragrance into your home.

1. Essential and Aromatic Oils

Essential and aromatic oils are nature’s gift to those seeking a more pleasant living environment. These oils not only offer delightful scents but also possess the power to neutralize the smell, such as those resulting from burnt food. Here’s how to use it to hide the smell. 

1. Oil Diffusers: Invest in an essential oil diffuser to disperse fragrant oils throughout your home. Choose scents like lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus for a fresh ambiance.
2. Aromatic Candles: Aromatic candles, infused with essential oils, can provide soft lighting and a soothing fragrance. Light them to mask the smell of burnt food and create a serene atmosphere.
3. DIY Air Fresheners: Create your air fresheners by mixing a few drops of your preferred essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spritz the mixture into the air to combat odors effectively.
4. Scented Sachets: Place small sachets filled with aromatic dried herbs and essential oils in drawers or closets to keep your linens and clothes smelling fresh.

2. Aerosols With Odor

Aerosols with pleasant fragrances offer a quick and convenient solution for covering up the persistent burnt odors. They provide an instant freshness to your living space, making them a go-to choice for those seeking immediate relief from unwanted smells. Let’s dive into how we can use them. 

1. Choose a Scent: Select an aerosol spray with a fragrance that you find appealing. Common choices include floral, citrus, or clean linen scents.
2. Test Sensitivity: Be mindful of any sensitivities to aerosol sprays, and ensure proper ventilation in the room by opening windows or doors for a few minutes after use.
3. Repeat as Needed: If the burnt smell persists, don’t hesitate to reapply the aerosol spray as necessary.

3. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract’s warm fragrance not only masks unwanted smells but also contributes to a cozy ambiance in your home. So, let’s head onto how you can remove the burnt smell with it.

1. Create a Spray: Combine a few drops of pure vanilla extract with water in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well to disperse the vanilla evenly.
2. Spritz the Air: Spray the vanilla extract mixture into the air, focusing on areas where the burnt food smell is most prominent.
3. Baking: If you’re preparing baked goods, use the opportunity to bake something with vanilla, like cookies or a cake. The delightful aroma will help mask the burnt odor.

Read Also: How to Use an Ozone Generator at Home: 7 Safety Guidelines

Dealing With a Stubborn Burning Odor

Dealing with a persistent burnt smell in your home can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to tackle it effectively. If the scent remains despite your best efforts, consider the following actions to eliminate the stubborn odor.

1. Deep Cleaning: Sometimes, the burnt smell may have permeated into hidden corners or materials. Consider deep cleaning your entire home, focusing on areas where the odor might be trapped.
2. Replace Filters and Vents: Check and replace filters in your HVAC system, as they can trap odors. Clean or replace vents and ducts to prevent the scent from circulating.
3. Ozone Generators: Consider using an ozone generator, but use caution as they can be harmful to humans and pets. Ensure proper ventilation and follow safety guidelines.

How Long Does the Burnt Smell Last in the House?

The burnt smell can last up to a few hours in the house. Sometimes, they can be stubborn and take even longer. By using proper remedies like using baking soda solution and proper ventilation, you can diminish the odor faster.

FAQs

Conclusion

Summing up, how to get burnt smell out of the house is not a difficult thing to do if you follow the guidelines correctly. You can opt for the natural odor-absorbing power of baking soda, the versatile cleaning ability of white vinegar, or the fragrance of vanilla extract to get rid of burnt smell.

Moreover, to keep your home smelling pleasant, you can use essential oils and aerosols with pleasant scents. So, as you continue to enjoy your love for cooking, remember that a fresh and inviting home is just a few steps away.