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Eliminate a burnt smell from your microwave with natural, household items
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Snacks like popcorn are infamous for leaving a burnt odor in and around your microwave that just doesn’t seem to go away. Not to worry, though—as pervasive as these burnt smells seem, it’s possible to vanquish them with some common household cleaning supplies like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. We’ll walk you through some tried-and-true deodorizing suggestions, along with some tips on how to prevent these smells from popping up in the first place.
Things You Should Know
- To get rid of a burnt smell, start by wiping out any debris from inside your microwave with a soft cloth.
- Then, heat a bowl of diluted vinegar or lemon juice for 1.5-4 minutes to steam up the microwave. Leave the steam for 15 minutes, then wipe it out again.
- Place a bowl of baking soda in your microwave overnight to finish up the deodorizing process.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
How to Remove Burnt Smells from a Microwave
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Clean out any obvious debris in your microwave first. Grab a soft cloth or sponge and give the inside of your microwave a quick wipe-down. Make sure to clean off each side of the microwave, including the ceiling.
- Don’t use steel wool or any kind of metal scrubbing sponge to clean your microwave. There’s a chance that small bits of metal could come off the sponge while you clean, which could become a future fire hazard.
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Heat a bowl of diluted vinegar or lemon juice to create steam. Vinegar and lemon juice are natural deodorizers, and the steam helps soften and remove caked on debris. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water so it’s about 50% full. Then, stir in 3 to 4 US tbsp (44 to 59 mL) of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, or one lemon’s worth of juice. Here’s how long you need to heat the bowl for, depending on your microwave’s wattage:
- 600 watts: 4 minutes
- 700 watts: 3 minutes
- 800 watts: 2.5 minutes
- 1,000 watts: 2 minutes
- 1,200 watts: 1.5 minutes [1] X Research source
- Alternative: Don’t have lemon juice or vinegar? Cut up an orange and place the slices in a microwave-safe bowl filled with 2 c (470 mL) of water. Microwave that instead! [2] X Research source You can also microwave a bowl of regular water.
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Let the steam sit for 15 minutes. Don’t immediately go to open the microwave once it dings. Instead, give the steam a few minutes to sit in the microwave and work its cleaning magic (especially if you have any burnt-on messes).
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Wipe out the steamed microwave. Using a sponge or cleaning cloth, clean off all the surfaces again—thanks to the steam, it should be significantly easier to wipe down. Take a moment to clean off any other accessories for your microwave, like the turntable or tray at the bottom.
- Keep your face away from the microwave as you open it, as the lingering steam may billow out and be hot.
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Place a bowl of baking soda in the microwave overnight. Fill a small bowl with baking soda, or stick an open box of baking soda inside of the microwave. Let the baking soda deodorize the microwave interior overnight, clearing away any burnt smells from the appliance. [3] X Research source
- Alternative: Soak up the bad smells with a bowl of charcoal. [4] X Research source A bowl of old coffee grounds can also do the trick.
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Replace the grease filter on your microwave if the smell persists. Many microwaves (particularly those with a built-in exhaust system) have special grease filters installed. Check your microwave’s user manual to learn the proper way to remove and install a new grease filter . This may help clear away the bad smell. [5] X Research source
- Don’t have your user manual on hand? Search Manualslib for a free, digital copy of your microwave’s handbook.
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning hacks, check out our in-depth interview with Susan Stocker .
References
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-a-microwave-281474979530474/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/12-ways-to-remove-odors-from-a-microwave/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/12-ways-to-remove-odors-from-a-microwave/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/12-ways-to-remove-odors-from-a-microwave/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-a-microwave-281474979530474/
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/resources-you-radiation-emitting-products/microwave-ovens
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/12-ways-to-remove-odors-from-a-microwave/
- ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
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