The short answer
Bag shells and scraps tightly and take them outside the same night, wash platters and the sink right away, and wipe counters and cutting boards. Ventilate the kitchen and take out the trash before bed.
Every September, the Norwalk Oyster Festival fills Veterans Memorial Park at 42 Seaview Avenue with music, crafts, and plenty of seafood. It is a reminder of Norwalk's long connection to the water, and it gets a lot of people cooking seafood at home. The meal is the easy part. The cleanup has to happen that night.
Shells and scraps
- Bag shells, peels, and scraps tightly.
- Take them to an outdoor bin the same night.
- Rinse any containers that held raw seafood before recycling them.
Surfaces and tools
- Wash platters, colanders, and knives in hot soapy water.
- Scrub cutting boards and sanitize them according to the material.
- Wipe counters, the stovetop, and the backsplash.
- Scrub the sink and run the disposal, if you have one, with plenty of water.
Getting rid of the smell
Open windows or run the range hood fan during and after cooking. Simmer water with lemon slices for a few minutes, and wipe the stovetop and hood surface, which hold cooking odors. Fabric, like towels and seat cushions, may need washing.
The next morning
Take out any remaining trash, mop the kitchen floor, and check the refrigerator for leftovers. Seafood leftovers should be eaten or discarded quickly.
Hosting a bigger group?
For a large dinner, book a cleaning the day before so you start fresh. Our party cleaning guide covers before and after visits.
House cleaning in Norwalk
We serve homes across Norwalk, from SoNo to neighborhoods near Calf Pasture Beach. Learn more on our house cleaning page for Norwalk, CT.
Check the Norwalk Seaport Association for this year's Oyster Festival dates.
Seafood cleanup questions
How do I get the fish smell out of my kitchen?
Ventilate, take scraps outside right away, wash everything that touched seafood, and simmer water with lemon. Wipe the stovetop and hood surface.
When is the Norwalk Oyster Festival?
It is traditionally held in September at Veterans Memorial Park. Check the Norwalk Seaport Association for this year's dates.
How do I clean a cutting board after raw seafood?
Wash it in hot soapy water right away and sanitize it in a way suited to the board's material.
Can I book a cleaning after a dinner party?
Yes. Many hosts book a visit before and after. Mention both dates when you request a quote.