LifestyleCleaningIf your kitchen seems to smell no matter how much you've cleaned it, try this14:08, 24 Jul 2026Our homes can quickly start to smell a bit stale, especially in the warm weather we’ve had lately. It’s even worse if dishes are left unwashed or food’s been sitting out.‌My kitchen smelled bad, and our fish and chips dinner didn't help. Sadly, opening the windows, using air freshener and wiping the worktops wasn’t enough, so I tried the 20p lemon hack. And it actually did the trick.‌In many UK supermarkets, a single lemon can cost as little as 20p. Multi-packs of four or five are often available for under £1. I discovered through multiple sources - TikTok, cleaning groups, Reddit - that taking lemon slices and placing them in a pan on the hob works a treat.‌To put an end to my smelly kitchen, I boiled water in my kettle, poured it into a pan and simmered water with lemon slices for 15 minutes.It's said to freshen the air naturally and work fast. And it really did. After 15 minutes of boiling my lemon water, my kitchen smelled fresh.‌People suggest adding herbs or essential oils, creating a home signature scent. But I wanted to keep it simple.Great options for those wanting to add herbs include rosemary, mint, eucalyptus and thyme. For an extra fresh, clean scent, try adding oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, grapefruit or bergamot.Clean your hob‌That's not all you can use lemons for. Experts at Morphy Richards, urge people to grab a lemon, some hot water, a little bit of soap and some bicarbonate of soda. And before you know it, you'll have a sparking hob.The experts suggest: "Remove all of your hob rings and place them in a large bowl. Halve a lemon and add it to the bowl, giving them a squeeze so there's some juice in the bowl."Add 1/3 - 1/2 a cup of bicarbonate of soda before pouring boiling water over the top - enough to cover the discs. Leave to work it's magic for around 20 minutes."Article continues belowWhile they soak, wipe the hob with hot, soapy water to lift any loose dirt. Then pour away the dirty water and wash the rings in warm, soapy water.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Cleaningproperty news