Why charcoal is the secret to banishing bad kitchen smells (and how to use it!)

It's official: you can use charcoal to get rid of bad kitchen smells. As in, yes, the very same stuff you would have burnt up on your BBQ this summer if it hadn't rained cats and dogs. 

Still, all of that leftover charcoal won't be going to waste – especially if you add it to your list of must-try kitchen ideas. And particularly if your kitchen is on the (sorry) smelly side.

Ready to learn more about this oh-so-timeless (and oh-so-useful) of kitchen trends? Let's dive on in.

How to use charcoal to get rid of bad kitchen smells

Look, we get it: nobody wants to admit that they wrinkle their nose a little every time they walk into their kitchen. And everyone thinks they know all the cleaning tips and tricks to banish bad odours.

But here's the thing: charcoal is being heralded as one of the very best ways to get rid of kitchen smells... and for good, too. 

'Pesky odours in the kitchen can be hard to get rid of, and unfortunately candles and air fresheners are only a temporary fix,' explains Lucy Rhead at Gtech. 

'However, activated charcoal is a very porous material which easily absorbs bad odours, making it a great way to neutralise any stubborn smells around the home.'

The science behind the hack

Basically, charcoal is 'activated' when it’s heated to a very high temperature, which changes its structure. 

'Heating gives the fine carbon powder a larger surface area, which makes it more porous,' explains Melinda Ratini via WebMD. 

'This lets the charcoal collect toxins, chemicals, and other unwanted materials, like smells from stinky feet and odours in the fridge.'

If you're tempted to try the hack for yourself, look no further: here's how to use charcoal to get rid of bad smells, once and for all.

What you will need:

If you're hoping to use charcoal to get rid of bad kitchen smells, you will need...

• Activated charcoal pellets, such as these from Amazon
• Small fabric bags, like these mini muslin sacks from Amazon

Step by step:

The easiest way to use activated charcoal is by placing small pellets in fabric bags and hanging them near any troublesome areas. 

'Alternatively, you can place them into a bowl and leave in the fridge to absorb any strong food odours that have built up over time,' says Lucy.

'Simply leave untouched for a few days and repeat if necessary.'

The best charcoal air freshener

If that incredibly easy two-step process sounds like too much work for you (we've all been there), don't worry: there is a ready-made solution that will help you use charcoal to get rid of bad kitchen smells...

These CLEVAST Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags made Ideal Home's pick of the best air fresheners thanks to their eco-friendly credentials. 

Filled with natural bamboo charcoal, they remove bad kitchen smells (and odours all over the house, actually) while freshening the air you breathe at the same time. They can even absorb moisture, too. 

Better still? They come in a pack of four and each one can be reused for two years, so they are genuinely excellent value for money. We'll be sticking one in every room, quite frankly...