How to clean a kitchen hood from grease: a recipe using household items

During the summer and rainy season, air coolers provide coolness, but with the start of the rains, an unpleasant smell of rot, dampness, and mold often appears from the cooler. Due to increased humidity in the monsoon season, bacteria, mold, and algae begin to develop very quickly in the tank and on the cooler's leaves. When the cooler is running, this contaminated and smelly air spreads throughout the room, which not only makes breathing difficult but also increases the risk of illness.

If you are concerned about the unpleasant odor from your cooler during the rainy season, you can quickly eliminate this problem using a special item you have at home, without using expensive chemical agents. Below are simple tricks and other effective methods.

First, you need to completely empty the cooler: unplug it and remove all dirty water from the tank. Then, apply white vinegar or spray vinegar diluted with water onto the inner surfaces and corners of the tank. Leave the vinegar for one hour, after which carefully remove the mold and accumulated residue using an old brush or scraper. After this, the tank should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water two or three times to remove all dirt and odor. To prevent the re-development of bacteria and mold, add a piece of alum to the tank after filling it with clean water.

To combat odors, you can use baking soda and neem oil: add two tablespoons of baking soda and 8–10 drops of neem oil or camphor to the cooler reservoir. Baking soda instantly absorbs the smell of rot and mold growing in the water, while neem oil destroys bacteria and mosquito larvae. You can also prepare a spray from vinegar and alum: mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and a little alum in a spray bottle with 1 liter of water and spray it on the cooler's leaves or felt panels. This will eliminate mold and fungus on the panels, as well as get rid of the odor.

Another useful trick is the use of alum: adding a small piece of alum to the cooler tank helps settle dirt contained in the water. Alum purifies the water and makes it free of bacteria, thus stopping the appearance of a musty odor. Furthermore, during the rainy season, it is recommended to change the water every 2–3 days instead of waiting a whole week; you must drain the old water, dry the tank thoroughly, and pour in fresh water. When filling the tank, you can add a few drops of lemongrass, eucalyptus, or lavender essential oils so that a fresh and pleasant aroma spreads in the room when the cooler is running.