We enjoy fried chicken, as do most decent Southerners (or, frankly, anyone with taste senses).

We dislike the lingering scent of frying oil in our kitchens. If you’ve ever made your own fried chicken or any other fried dish, you’re definitely familiar with the unpleasant odor we’re referring to. It may be very sickening when your kitchen (and living room, and bedroom, and clothes) still smell like the inside of a deep fryer almost 24 hours later.

Since giving up fried food is clearly not an option, here are a few suggestions to assist you counteract the stink.

Before you begin, take several deep breaths. Open all windows and set fans to blow air outside. If that isn’t an option, turn on the air conditioner and the cooktop fan.

Isolate the area in which you will be cooking. Close the doors to neighboring rooms to prevent the odor from spreading to other sections of the house.

Place the butter, cinnamon, and sugar on a cookie sheet and bake for one hour at 200 degrees. It will fill the entire kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked food.

Bring vinegar and water to a boil. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water and one tablespoon of vinegar to a boil. Allow it to simmer. For a more natural scent, boil citrus peels or cinnamon sticks.

Overnight, leave bowls of baking soda or coffee grounds on your counter to absorb any additional scents.

Light one (or more) fragrant candles. Quick and simple!