Worried how to remove odor from microwave? Does your microwave reek of burnt food? Perhaps you made a quick egg-in-a-cup and ended up with an odor in your microwave that refuses to go.
We’ve all been here before. You read a particular label wrong and end up microwaving your popcorn 30 seconds longer.
Perhaps you overfilled a cup with cake batter, and it ended up overflowing or, worse, splattering over the insides of your appliance.
Did you try a few traditional cleaning methods and found them ineffective?
Microwave odors are frustrating to deal with when you don’t know the right hacks. Learning how to remove odor from the microwave will help you banish that putrid burnt smell for good.
Here are some useful DIY tips on removing odor from the microwave.
How to Clean A Burnt Microwave?
Before you deal with the smell, you need to clean your microwave thoroughly. Remnants of food or particles stuck to the inside cavity, the tray, or even the little wheels might be the culprits.
Here’s a simple and chemical-free way to clean the inside of your microwave.
The most effective way to remove stubborn debris and burnt pieces is to steam clean your appliance.
You can do this by heating a bowl of water in it for about three to four minutes. The steam from the water will loosen all the grime stuck to the insides, making it easier to wipe off.
Next, use a soft cloth dipped in water and a dash of dish soap to scrub down the interior.
If you’re using a stainless steel model, remember to scrub in the direction of the metal grain to avoid leaving scratch marks on the surface.
Lastly, wipe down the entire interior with a rag dipped in cold water and use a lint-free cloth to dry it, removing any debris. Once you’re done, open the microwave and let it air out for a few hours.
Now that you’re done cleaning all the noticeable particles responsible for the smell, it’s time to deal with the ones you can’t see.
How to Remove Burnt Smell from Microwave?
Method 1
The steam, combined with vinegar, will not only further loosen excess debris, but the vinegar’s acidic smell will also completely overpower any odor that’s inside.
Call it scent replacement, or if you want to use the technical term, deodorization.
Still not working? Try soaking a sponge in vinegar, sprinkle some baking soda over the top, and microwave it for 25 seconds.
Then, use the same sponge to wipe down the walls, tray, and don’t forget the door.
If you don’t like how vinegar smells, you can use lemon for this step as well. Two to four lemon slices, juiced and mixed in water, should do the trick.
Tip: Please check the power of your microwave because if you’re using a stronger model, it may only take two minutes to bring the water to a boil.
Your manual will probably tell you how long you can microwave water safely.
Method 2
If the odor persists even after steam-cleaning, your next option is baking soda, especially if what you’re looking for is a longer-term solution.
Place an open box or tray of baking soda inside your microwave overnight. If you don’t have baking soda, using dried coffee grounds or a cup of activated charcoal in an open container are viable alternatives.
The soda will absorb the odor while you’re asleep. By the time you wake up the next day, the soda will most likely expunge the smell.
You can’t use this soda for cooking anymore, however, but if you want, you can set it aside and use it as a deodorizer again for the next time you forget how to remove burnt smell from microwave and find your way back to this blog.
What If the Burnt Smell Is Too Severe?
Have you tried everything but still can’t manage any objective decrease in the burnt odor?
If the burnt smell is that severe, it might be that the smell is trapped in your microwave’s charcoal filter.
If you didn’t know, every microwave has a charcoal filter to eliminate odors.
In that case, you’ll need to find out how to replace and clean your microwave’s filters. Check the manual to learn how to deal with damaged or putrid charcoal filters.
Method 3
If what’s causing the foul smell is a stain that just won’t come off no matter how hard or long you rub it, you’ll need to remove the source to get rid of the smell.
With acetone-free nail polish remover, even the most stubborn stains will come off. You can soak cotton balls in the acetone-free nail polish remover and place it on the stained area.
Let the stain soak in the chemical for a little while. As always, do not forget to clean the door as well, not just the walls and tray.
This should both neutralize the odor and remove all stains. Once you’re done, use soap or a mixture of vinegar and water and wipe down the interior to rinse out the nail polish remover.
How to Get Fish Smell Out Of Microwave?
Fish is one of the foods that is associated with powerful, lingering odors. Have you been trying to figure out how to get fish smell out of microwave?
Cleaning with natural cleaners usually never does it. The best method for getting rid of the fish smell is to replace it with an even more pungent smell like coffee.
You can try any of the methods we listed above, but fish odors are particularly nasty to deal with because of their vitality, plus the fact the microwaves burn fish.
You might want to consider purchasing an industrial cleaner for your appliance if you’re facing chronic problems with fish odor.
Tip: Anytime you use chemicals to clean stains and odors, remember to always follow up with proper rinsing.
DO NOT microwave the cleaning fluids by accident, as that could have consequences for your microwave’s hardware and even for you if you’re nearby, inhaling.
How to Remove odor from Microwave: Common Mistakes
There are some measures that you can take to avoid a precarious odor situation. Prevention is the most efficient method.
Since microwaves work by heating water molecules in your food or beverage, dishes that are dry or starchy such as popcorn, for instance, are more likely to burn.
This is why they produce a powerful and stubborn odor. Keep an eye on your food as you’re warming it to prevent accidents before they happen.
That way, you’ll never have to wonder how to clean a burnt microwave?
Also, as we mentioned earlier, some microwaves are more powerful than others. Read your manual to check the wattage before setting the time.
If you know your appliance brand, you might find a more detailed guide online that will provide recommendations for how long each type of food or beverage should be microwaved.
Depending on the food you’re heating or cooking, you’ll need to adjust the power setting and time.
Do this, and you won’t ever need to clean your appliance again. We hope this guide on how to remove odor from microwave was helpful.
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