Why you should care

Is there a lingering bad smell in your kitchen that you can’t seem to get rid of no matter how tidy it is? You may find that your kitchen is especially stinky at certain times like after a big cookout or after you’ve eaten fruits. Read these tips to identify the stinky sources and get rid of them for good.

The kitchen is the source of all your home’s delicious dishes, but as a result, a variety of odours!

You’ve probably caught a whiff of one (or all) of these at some point: the sour scent from wet towels and sponges, the trace of decaying apple cores in the bin, and other questionable sources of muskiness.

Well, we have good news and bad news for you.

The good: Unless it’s new and untouched, all kitchens carry a scent. The good news is, smell is an indicator for a problem area: mould in your cabinets, mildew in your kitchen towels, or poor ventilation. Once you can (literally) sniff out the problem, you can manage it.

The bad: Even if you can’t detect a stench in your kitchen, you’re probably guilty of some of these bad kitchen habits. The smell might be there, but your nose might’ve gotten used to it – yikes.

Either way, these tips will help you maintain a clean and fresh smelling kitchen.

Step 1: Find the Source

Odour doesn’t just come from rotting foods. Here are places where the smells might be hiding at:

  • Mould and mildew on cabinets, between tile grooves, from towels, and on the fridge.
  • Oil buildup on the stove, hood, backsplash, and counters.
  • Food waste that’s stuck or hardened at the sides, base, or bottom of the rubbish bin.
  • Cooking foods with strong smells like belacan, garlic, and seafood.
  • Wet towels, mats, and carpets.
  • Irregularly cleaned fridge.

mouldy kitchen tilesUnfortunately, our humid climate and lack of ventilation – especially common with smaller spaces and terrace homes – both cause and exacerbate these smells. That’s why it’s extra important to…

Step 2: Improve Ventilation

Keep your windows open and install an exhaust fan, like KDK’s Raku-Raku ventilating fan. These fans work to usher out the aroma from your stir fried petai belacan which will otherwise seep into your cabinets and carpets, and may also travel to the other rooms.

Kdk raku raku fanSpecially designed for residential kitchens, the KDK Raku-Raku fan eliminates cooking odours and the elevated levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide while circulating oxygen in from the outside. This also reduces moisture and humidity in the kitchen which are the main causes of mould and mildew.

Furthermore, the KDK Raku-Raku fan features an advanced blade design and half-pitch motor which optimise airflow and minimise noise, thereby reducing energy usage.

Step 3: Clean and Perfume

Once you’ve identified the source and improved ventilation, it’s time to clean up. Baking soda is your secret weapon here. Add 250ml water to a tablespoon of baking soda into a spray bottle and mix well. Use this DIY multi-purpose cleaner to wipe down your counters, cabinets, appliances, and backsplash.

Baking soda malaysia

SOURCE: walgreens.com

For tougher stains or dirt, sprinkle baking soda onto the offending surface and add water until it becomes a paste that you can scrub with. You can also place small bowls of baking soda into your fridge and cabinets to absorb the odours.

Essential oilOnce you’ve cleaned up, you can add natural fragrance to the room by boiling orange zest and spices. Let the pot sit there as the kitchen soaks up the fresh scents from the fruit. Alternatively, add a few drops of essential oil like lavender to water in a spray bottle. Spritz away for a non-toxic and natural scent!


If you don’t have a ventilating fan in your kitchen, it’s time to consider one. Many newly developed homes, and especially smaller spaces lack ventilation. Without proper ventilation, your kitchen cabinets and walls are susceptible to mould and stubborn odour.

If you light up your stove often and live in an attached home, you end up inhaling a lot of carbon monoxide and odours.

More reasons to love the KDK Raku-Raku ventilating fan:

  • Long Lasting: Made from hardy aluminum, the perforated filter collects oil released during cooking, ensuring effectiveness and durability.
  • Easy cleaning: The aluminum filter features a hydrophobic coating that is easy to clean as it resists oil.
  • Less hassle: With an oil indicator and large capacity oil container, you won’t have to remove the oil container and clean it too often.
  • Excellent for apartment-living: Designed to adapt to increased air pressure in high rise buildings, the exhaust circulates as much as 40% more air volume at higher static pressure levels.

Want to find out more about the KDK Raku-Raku fan? Call or visit the nearest KDK retailer in your city!

Why you should care

Is there a lingering bad smell in your kitchen that you can’t seem to get rid of no matter how tidy it is? You may find that your kitchen is especially stinky at certain times like after a big cookout or after you’ve eaten fruits. Read these tips to identify the stinky sources and get rid of them for good.

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