The Cause

Poorly ventilated or cramped kitchens mixed with pungent foods — such as garlic, curry, eggs, cheese, and burned casseroles — make for strong odors that re-create the atmosphere of a pub at closing time.

The Cure

Lemon and citrus fragrances, such as Lysol Neutra-Air Citrus spray ($4 at supermarkets) or all-natural Citrus Magic Air Freshener ($10, www.citrusmagic.com), remove strong food odors. Often the best (and easiest) remedy is to open a window or turn on a vent. "We use exhaust fans that suck everything out," says Wayne Almquist, a professor at the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, New York.