Maizie Sycip Qua of Scents and Sensibilities has kept my kitchen smelling fresh, despite the heavy cooking that I do.
I am a big fan of her sprays and diffusers, made from premium-grade fragrance oils, combined with essential oils extracted from fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. I love how they seem to be there, but not there. Nothing overpowering, simply fresh!
Making scents for the home came after Qua had made body sprays and gave them away for her Angel’s Kitchen partners Marnie Ong, Lisa Sy, Lucy Ong and Lina Tan to try. They said they liked them, but she later learned they were using her concoctions as a bathroom spray.
That’s how Scents and Sensibilities started.
Maizie is about to launch her kitchen soaps and soya candles, which are said to be safer for the environment and health. She applied what she learned in Australia to come up with her new products.
“Fragrance is my thing,” she said. “Put all the scent caps together and I will know what kind of scent will be produced.”
Aside from fragrance, she considers herself an expert in cleaning. “It is something I got and learned from my mom who was very strict when it comes to cleaning,” she said. “I don’t mind the clutter, but no dust, no dirt, and nothing that smells bad!”
Maizie shares her recipe for a squeaky clean kitchen. This list is something she put together and learned over time.
Kitchen odor
Make sure that there is good air circulation or ventilation in your kitchen.
Clean window treatments or curtains. Fabrics absorb odor more than any other material.
Remove oil and grime regularly from blinds and objects near the kitchen stove.
Mop floors every night with the following effective solution: one gallon of water, one capful of Lysol, three caps full of your favorite fabric conditioner. (This is also very good against pet odors.)
Garbage
Remove and dispose of wet and dry garbage, and clean out recycling bins every night or after major cooking.
Dispose all garbage outdoors at least 50 steps from your house.
Hose down garbage cans, recycling bins, and allow them to air dry for 20 minutes. Even better, expose them under the sun.
Clean out garbage cans and bins regularly with vinegar plus water solution or disinfectant that kills germs instead of just masking odors.
Pots, pans, sponges
Never leave soiled or used dining wares or kitchen utensils, pots and pans overnight. This not only causes odor, but also attracts roaches, ants and rats/rodents. Food gets old and smelly quickly, especially if there is milk.
Wash kitchen sponges with soap and water to remove odors from food residue. Microwave them on high setting for one or two minutes everyday to kill harmful bacteria.
Wash dish cloths and kitchen towels periodically with bleach to get rid of dirt, odor and germs.
Appliances
Scour and rinse out grease and food buildup that get stuck under the stove or gas range burner and inside the oven. Do this every night with soapy sponge or with 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water.
Lift up the burners to get all the food particles and drippings.
For ovens: baking soda paste and warm water will get rid of food and grime immediately.
Apply paste, allow to dry, and wipe out with clean, warm water with a clean sponge or rag.
For fresh oven spills, sprinkle salt over the spill for easier cleanup and to keep odors down.
Wipe down the microwave oven with clean, soapy sponge and rinse off all soap residue very well. Periodically, put 1 c water + 2 tbsp baking soda inside microwave, turn on to high setting for two to three minutes to make food splatters easy to clean up.
For refs: Remove food odors from your ref regularly. Empty out ref. Spritz down with solution of 1 quart water + 3 tbsp baking soda.
After cleaning, leave an open box of baking soda or a small container of charcoal, or stuff crumpled paper or paper towels inside the ref to absorb food odor. Replace them quarterly or every other month, depending on the food load and type of food in the ref.
Keep food in airtight containers.
Throw out expired items.
Check water dispensers and ice makers for leaks behind the ref.
Counters and tabletops
Make sure they are free from food residue and drippings for the night. Cleaning with soap and water every night will do the trick in keeping your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.
Sink
Wash sink regularly. Drain sink very well with soap and water.
Remove all food debris trapped in the drain; it gives off a nasty odor, leaving the house smelling less than fresh.
Try this for additional freshening: Once a month, pour a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain, allow to set for 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
Check mustiness. Watch out for slow leaks that damage wood, drywall and cabinets, especially the cabinets under the sink, and even near it. Leaks can lead to moldy smell. Have them repaired immediately to get rid of the musty odor.
Finishing touches
Keep the odor-causing factors at bay,” said Maizie. “Light a soya candle to maintain the clean air or neutralize cooking odors. Or, spray your kitchen area and linen with a good room and linen spray to keep your surroundings smelling fresh and clean.”
For list of products, text or call 0922-8890089. Maizie can even make a special scent for you.