By Ujjainee Roy
August 24, 2024
Curry leaves, often celebrated for their culinary and medicinal uses, are also surprisingly effective as natural cleaners for your kitchen. Rich in essential oils and possessing antibacterial properties, curry leaves can be utilized in various ways to keep your kitchen clean, fresh, and free from harmful pathogens. They also leave behind a pleasant, earthy fragrance. Let's explore this ingredient further.
Curry leaves can be infused into water to create an all-purpose cleaner. Boil a handful of curry leaves in water, strain the liquid, and let it cool. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and use it to wipe down countertops, cabinets, and other surfaces.
The natural oils in curry leaves are excellent at breaking down stubborn grease on stovetops. Crush a handful of fresh curry leaves and mix them with a bit of warm water to create a paste. Apply this paste to greasy spots on your stove, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub it off with a sponge.
Kitchens can often accumulate unwanted smells from cooking. To neutralize these odors, burn a few curry leaves in a small metal bowl or pan. The smoke released will absorb and eliminate the lingering smells, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh and earthy.
Curry leaves have antibacterial properties that make them ideal for disinfecting cutting boards, utensils, and countertops. Boil curry leaves in water and use the cooled solution to wipe down these surfaces. This method not only disinfects but also prevents cross-contamination in your kitchen.
Curry leaves are a natural deterrent for pests like ants and cockroaches. Crush some curry leaves and sprinkle them around areas where pests are commonly found, such as under the sink or near food storage areas. The strong scent of the leaves will help keep these unwelcome visitors at bay.
Dried curry leaves can be added to your dishwashing routine as a natural scrubber. Grind dried curry leaves into a coarse powder and mix it with a small amount of baking soda. This mixture can be used as a gentle abrasive to scrub away food residue on pots, pans, and dishes.