Getting rid of smells

IMO the best smell in a home (other than lovely meals, etc.) is no smell! Open windows every time, for us!

Possibly if you don’t want cooking smells don’t cook. Most homes tend to have cooking smells after someone has cooked no matter if open plan or not

Thank you for all your helpful and not so helpful suggestions. Yes I will open windows and doors the following day, but it’s the smell immediately obvious after cooking.

I'm open plan too. So I bought a small pure air machine with hepa filter. It does help.

WelshPoppy

The reason when looking at new property I won't consider open plan.

Welsh poppy I agree with you. I’m not a fan of open plan at all.
We wanted to re do our kitchen , had a well known kitchen company send a surveyor round who told us to knock down the wall between the kitchen and the lounge!.
Needless to say we told him where to go!

I don’t know if my house smells as I lost most of my sense of smell many years ago. I bath and use deodorant, I keep the cats’ litter trays clean, I open windows when it’s warm, but nobody’s going to tell me, are they?
I never liked or used artificial smells like sprays or candles, many are harmful to pets and people. One thing I can smell is toast, which is a nice smell.

monami

i hate open plan, who wants to sit the kitchen all night

I have an open plan kitchen , dining and living space . It’s a large , light and airy space and I love it.

One of the improvements in new kitchen was a bigger extractor fan. I went for one wider than the hob. Sadly I am disappointed in same. Workman said they are more cosmetic than functional. It does help to have an open window at same time.

Do you have houseplants? They don't make a drastic difference, but they do help if it's bitter cold & you don't want to lose heat through ventillation. Christmas trees are excellent, but have obvious limitations, aloe vera supposed to be good too.
& I second the burning a candle idea.

i hate open plan, who wants to sit the kitchen all night

I would always suggest opening windows and doors weather permitting. Alternatively PRICES do various anti-odour candles.
For textiles and soft furnishing I use febreeze or detol clothes spray.

Sparky51

Open a window,you have a choice,or a door...goodness.Its not complicated

Why so rude? It was a genuine question. Even with open windows or doors some smells travel relentlessly through the home. In my case butter chicken lingers more than any other curry, as does smoked fish or cauliflower. There are others. In a time when heating is so expensive opening doors or windows is not always the first resort.

Have you got an extractor fan?

I have just bought a ceramic candle holder and am burning scented wax melts.
Lavender at the moment, but take your pick.
I do find I’m getting through a lot of those small candles but I do like it.

I have boiled a pan of bay leaf twigs covered with leaves, and several large twigs of lavender together, the aroma is fantastic and permeates the whole house, gorgeous.

I find a bowl filled with ordinary vinegar helpful. It absorbs smells.

The reason when looking at new property I won't consider open plan.

Open a window,you have a choice,or a door...goodness.Its not complicated

Lakeland does a “cooks candle” smelling of citronella which I have found very effective

We’re open plan too . I have a powerful extractor fan on and open windows . If it’s cold I sprinkle some essential oils on a damp cloth and wipe the surfaces down.

If the smell is really one that lingers. A pan of water and cider vinegar left to boil gently works. Occasionally we have had folks in a cottage that cook a lot of curry. It seems to deal with that persistent mell. Followed by letting the air blow through. Repeat if necessary

I am currently simmering a cauldron of chutney, my kitchen is directly off of the hall, no door.

I have the extractor on fully, top half of kitchen stable door opens to the side p the house so that is open.

When it is finished and in jars I light a chefs candle, which is excellent at eliminating any remaining smells.

If it’s too cold to open windows, I find lighting a candle, preferably a nice scented one but not obligatory, will help to clear the smell.

We’re open plan too. I do have those fragrance sticks that aren’t overpowering just a subtle light perfume.

Agree a through draft for a few minutes clears it.

I agree , just open doors/ windows.