How to Get Rid of a Lingering Curry Smell

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The best scents & cleaning hacks to remove a stubborn curry odor
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Curry is a flavorful Indian-style dish made with strong spices like turmeric and cumin. And while this dish is delicious, it can also leave behind a distinct, rustic odor. Curry smells can linger in kitchens and on surfaces for days after making the meal. So, how do you remove these odors and make your living space smell fresh again? Keep reading to learn what you can do to eliminate and neutralize curry odors and prevent them from happening.

Removing Curry Smells at a Glance

Use an air-deodorizing spray or diffuser during and after cooking to cover the smell. Open all windows for ventilation and wipe down surfaces with a vinegar or castile soap cleaning solution. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets overnight to absorb odors. As a last resort, steam clean carpets to tackle lingering smells.

Section 1 of 3:

The Best Ways to Cover a Curry Smell

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  1. Air diffusers , air-deodorizing sprays , plug-ins , and scented candles are quick, efficient ways to get rid of lingering smells. Spray or turn on these products during and after cooking curry to keep the air fresh.
    • If you're using an air-deodorizing spray, focus on spraying fabrics near the cooking area, such as carpets, upholstery, and drapes, as these can trap odors.
  2. Bring 2 cups (0.47 L) of water to a boil on the stove. Then, add your choice of fragrance to the pot. We recommend using Kewra (Screwpine) leaves or vanilla beans or extract. Bring the heat down, and allow the pot to simmer uncovered for at least an hour. The fragrances from the steaming pot can help mask the curry odor.
    • You can also try boiling cinnamon sticks and/or lemon slices. [1]
    • Screwpine leaves are also known as pandan leaves and can be purchased at the local Asian grocer or specialty grocery store. [2]
    • There are no set specifications on how much of your chosen flower or leaf to add. Try a few sprigs to begin with and add more as needed.
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  3. Cleaning expert Andrew Outman explains that baking soda helps absorb odors from fabrics and the air. Dust your carpets with baking soda right before bed. Then, in the morning, vacuum it up. This can help remove lingering odors that may seep into your carpets. [3]
    • Make sure to keep pets and small children off of the carpets while the baking soda sits.
    • This method is also great for removing odors inside your fridge ! Simply place a box of baking soda in a stinking fridge and leave it for a day or two. [4]
  4. If you can, open the windows for a day or two to allow fresh air to cycle through the residence. This can help freshen your space and push out unwanted odors. Similarly, you can also replace air filters in your heating and cooling systems to prevent odors from circulating throughout your home.
  5. While you can purchase cleaning sprays at the store, you can also create your own for a personalized odor-fighting solution. Simply wipe down surfaces in your kitchen with the spray to help eliminate odors. Here are the most common DIY cleaning sprays you can make at home out of household ingredients: [5]
    • Vinegar all-purpose spray: Combine 1 cup (0.24 L) water and 1 cup (0.24 L) white vinegar.
    • Castile soap all-purpose spray: Combine 2 cups (0.47 L) water and 2 tablespoons (0.12  c) liquid castile soap .
    Toni Hammersley, Home Organization and Cleaning Expert

    Eliminating lingering cooking odors like curry calls for a multi-pronged effort. First, air out the space thoroughly, as fresh air is a strong odor fighter. Next, use natural deodorizers like vinegar or baking soda—wipe down surfaces with diluted vinegar and sprinkle carpets and upholstery with baking soda overnight before vacuuming. For stubborn smells, boil water with lemon slices or cinnamon sticks to help neutralize the air. Be persistent and employ a combination of techniques to fully tackle tough odors.

  6. Curry leftovers are delicious, but reheating them can stink up the inside of your microwave. Neutralize and remove stubborn curry odors in your microwave by combining 2 tablespoons (0.12  c) of baking soda and 1 cup (0.24 L) of water in a bowl. Microwave the bowl for 2 minutes, then wipe out the inside of the microwave with a cloth. [6]
    • For even more freshness, add a lemon slice or drop of lemon essential oil to the solution.
  7. If you’ve tried the above methods and the curry odor still lingers, it may be time to seek industrial help. Invest in an at-home steam cleaner or contact a local carpet cleaning business. Steam cleaning is designed to remove dirt and odors from fabric materials. [7]
    • If you’re steam cleaning yourself, look for cleaning solutions formulated for odor removal, like OxiClean . [8]
    • Not interested in investing in a steam cleaner? Consider renting one instead! Many companies rent steam cleaners on an hourly basis.
    • Professional carpet cleaning costs vary depending on the size of the home and how many rooms are cleaned. You can expect to pay an average of $51 per room. Some companies may also charge by the square foot. [9]
  8. Microbial agents have live bacteria that eat odor-causing microorganisms and help remove harsh odors. [10] Purchase a microbial agent , and then combine it with 1 part water. Pour the solution down your kitchen drain to eliminate lingering curry odors.
    • Repeat this process at least once a week to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.
    • Make sure to follow the instructions of your specific agent, as some require a different water ratio or can be used without water.
  9. While in the shower, rub a piece of lemon or lime over the skin to eliminate the smell of curry. The fruit’s acidity helps break down the essential oils that cause the lingering smells. Finish by washing with soap and water as usual.
    • Be sure to avoid open cuts or wounds on the skin, which can cause painful stinging or burning.
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Section 2 of 3:

Preventing Curry Odors

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  1. Curry is delicious, and the lingering odors shouldn’t hinder you from making this incredible dish! If you cook curry, you can prevent lingering odors by opening all nearby windows for air ventilation, closing all the doors to your living spaces to trap the smell in the kitchen, and cleaning up the kitchen immediately after cooking. [11]
Section 3 of 3:

Why is the curry smell so strong?

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  1. Indian cuisine is known for its powerful and pungent spices. While these spices are strong in the bottle, they’re even stronger when they cook. Most curries are cooked with fat-soluble oils (like olive oil, coconut oil, or butter) that break down when cooked. Once heated, the curry spices combine with the oil, creating an explosion of smells. [12]
    • Curry odors linger because the scent of the spices is heavy. The scent is so strong that it clings to surfaces, especially fabrics.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I just moved into an apartment and the previous tenants have left the apartment with a very strong stench of curry. Any suggestions? I already repainted, used OdoBan, and Febreze.
    Benit55
    Community Answer
    I have done a lot of research on this topic. I'm buying an air purifier, which is cheaper than the ozone generator. The apartment should have been painted with Killz prior to painting. If you have carpet, try sprinkling baking soda and leave it for about 15 minutes before vacuuming it up.
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  • Question
    Someone in cooking class for curry on my hands. What should I do?
    ERROR409
    Community Answer
    I'd suggest you wash your hands more often than you regularly do and over time it'll disappear. If that doesn't work however, you could use a harsher soap or scrub, maybe one that mechanics use for their hands.
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  • Question
    What is a microbial agent?
    ERROR409
    Community Answer
    An antimicrobial agent is something that is used to counteract the growth of microorganisms or kill them. If that's the case for antimicrobial agents, then one can assume that a microbial agent is something that does the opposite and promotes microorganisms growth.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.hunker.com/13421029/how-to-get-rid-of-curry-odor
      2. ↑ http://theepicentre.com/spice/pandan-leaf/
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-deodorize-your-carpet-naturally-with-baking-soda-252554
      4. ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/general-science-you-asked/can-baking-soda-really-absorb-odors-fridge
      5. ↑ https://livesimply.me/how-to-make-homemade-all-purpose-surface-cleaner/
      6. ↑ https://www.hunker.com/13421317/how-to-get-indian-curry-smell-out-of-the-house
      7. ↑ https://www.in-tec.com.au/learning-centre/carpet-steam-cleaning-proper-process
      8. ↑ http://www.thefrugallife.com/sourhouse.html
      9. ↑ https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-carpet-cleaning-cost.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479724006224
      2. ↑ https://www.jondon.com/how-to/technical-tips/odor-removal/curry-odor-removal.html
      3. ↑ https://www.jondon.com/how-to/technical-tips/odor-removal/curry-odor-removal.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove a lingering curry odor, try making a cleaning spray with white vinegar. First, combine 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray everything in the room, including the walls, cabinets, carpet, ceiling, grease traps, the hood of the stove, and drapes. Pay extra attention and spray more in areas where grease has built up and where the smell seems to be coming from. If the smell doesn’t go away immediately, spray the solution all over the room once a week to allow the microbes to break down the odor-trapping grease. For tips about how to remove long-standing curry odors with baking soda, keep reading!

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