Simple 20p method people swear by to banish bad kitchen smells

Coming home to an unpleasant smell isn’t uncommon, particularly on warm days or when the washing-up has been left to pile up.

If you want to freshen the kitchen up quickly, there’s an easy method doing the rounds online. Users on TikTok, Instagram and Reddit say a simple combination of lemon and water can help – and it’s for the air, not a drink.

According to Cookery Recipes, when your “kitchen smells like food or grease”, you should “simmer water with lemon slices for 10 minutes.”

It explains: “It freshens the air naturally and works fast.” Experts at The Kitchn also recommend this approach.

It says: “Another way to quickly get that lemon scent filtering through your house is to simply cut a few lemons into quarters and put them in a pot of water.

“Let the water boil for a while, and as that citrus-infused steam is released into the air, everything will start to smell a little bit fresher.

“And if you’d like, you can drop in a few other herbs or essential oils to create your home’s new – much more appealing – signature scent.”

Herbs and essential oils that work well include rosemary, mint, eucalyptus leaves and thyme. For a crisp, clean fragrance, you could also add a few drops of tea tree, grapefruit or bergamot oil.

A single lemon can cost as little as 20p at many UK supermarkets, while packs of four or five are often available for under £1.

Can I clean windows with lemon?

For another handy use, home experts at howstuffworks.com say lemons can also be used to clean windows, which is useful if you’ve picked up a multi-pack.

They suggest that if your windows don’t seem to stay clean, especially in the kitchen where grease builds up, you can make a simple solution using lemon juice, vinegar and water.

It urges: “Climb up on the counter and wash greasy kitchen windows with a solution of 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. They’ll soon be sparkling.”