How to Remove Strong, Burnt, & Unpleasant Odors from Your Microwave

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Natural ways to deodorize your microwave & make it smell better
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You open up your microwave and the combination of old yellow curry, grilled fish, and burnt popcorn smells leave you feeling anything but hungry. Luckily though, it doesn’t take harsh cleaners to get rid of the unpleasant odors. In this article, we’ll show you how to use natural, household items to deodorize your microwave and leave it smelling fresh or lightly scented with your favorite fragrances. We’ll also give you some tips on keeping your microwave odor-free in the first place. Read on to learn more!

Things You Should Know

  • Mix 4 tbsp (59 mL) of white vinegar with 1 cup (237 mL) of water and heat it in the microwave for 4 minutes. Then, let it steam inside for 5 to 15 minutes.
  • Or, squeeze the juice of a lemon into 1 cup (237 mL) of water and heat it up for 4 minutes. Then, let it steam and freshen your microwave for 5 minutes.
  • Microwaving coffee, vanilla extract, or berries are also great options for adding a pleasant scent to your microwave.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Neutralizing Odors

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    White vinegar is great for neutralizing odors and leaving your microwave sparkling clean. Just pour 1 cup (237 mL) of water and 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of white vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 4 minutes. Then, let the mixture sit inside the microwave for 5 to 15 minutes to give the steam time to freshen up your appliance. [1]
    • After you let the mixture sit, carefully take it out of the microwave and wipe out the inside with a damp rag or paper towel.
    • If the inside of your microwave still smells vinegary, wipe it down with a mixture of dish soap and water.
    • Watch the vinegar mixture as it heats, as it might take more or less than 4 minutes for it to boil.
    • For super smelly microwaves, leave the vinegar solution in your microwave overnight without heating it up.
    • Warning : Do not heat metal items in your microwave. The heat can start a fire or cause other damage to your appliance. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from each side into 1 cup (237 mL) of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, heat the solution for 4 minutes, or until it starts to boil. Keep the door closed for 5 minutes to let the mixture’s steam spread throughout the smelly microwave. [3]
    • For extra deodorizing power, cut the squeezed lemon into 4 or 8 pieces and insert them into the lemon water when you microwave it.
    • Feel free to use a lime, orange, or another citrus if you prefer their scent. Just use 4 to 6 tsp (20-30 mL) of juice, which is about how much 1 lemon contains.
    • If your microwave is still smelly, repeat the heating process or leave the lemon juice in your microwave overnight.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    To clean and freshen your microwave, dip a sponge or rag into a mixture of 5 tsp (30 g) of baking soda and 1 US quart (0.95 L) of warm water. Simply scrub the inside of the microwave and the turning plate with the solution using circular motions. Then, wipe away the solution with a damp, clean cloth. [4]
    • For tough, persistent smells, leave an opened box of baking soda in your microwave overnight.
    • If splattered food has solidified inside the microwave, apply ½ tsp (3 g) of baking soda to a sponge or cloth to attack the stain more directly.
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    Leave pieces of activated charcoal in your microwave overnight. Charcoal isn’t just great for barbecuing—it absorbs odors and leaves your microwave smelling fresh. Simply place several small chunks of charcoal in a bowl and set it inside your microwave. Then, leave it inside overnight to trap and deodorize your microwave. [5]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    Rubbing alcohol is a natural cleaner that gets rid of bacteria that form gross smells in your microwave. Simply wet a rag or cotton balls with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the inside of your microwave. Then, use a damp cloth to rinse out the alcohol. [6]
    • Keep the microwave door open for 1 to 2 minutes to let the alcohol and water dissolve.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Adding Pleasant Scents

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    Coffee won’t just remove bad odors— it will leave your microwave smelling like a fresh cup of joe! Just place 2 tbsp (10 g) of ground coffee and ½ cup (118 mL) of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, heat the mixture for 10 minutes while watching it closely to ensure it doesn’t boil over. When the mixture starts to boil, pause the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes to cool down. [7]
    • For a stronger coffee smell, add coffee grounds that have already been used.
    • If your microwave is still smelly, mix 2 tbsp (10 g) of ground coffee with 2 tbsp (34 g) of baking soda and leave it in your microwave overnight.
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    Simply pour 4 teaspoons (20 mL) of vanilla extract and ½ cup (118 mL) of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, heat it for 2 minutes, or until it’s boiling and steaming. Don’t take the bowl out right away—let the steam spread throughout the microwave for at least 30 minutes to neutralize all of the bad odors. [8]
    • When you take the vanilla out of the microwave, remove any extra moisture inside the appliance by wiping it out with a cloth or paper towel.
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    Pour ¼ cup (27.5 g) of ground cloves into a container and set it inside the microwave. There’s no heating involved in this method—instead, shut the door and leave the cloves to sit all night. Letting the cloves sit allows their spicy, sweet scent to fill your microwave and cancel out any bad smells. [9]
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    Get out your favorite-smelling berries and place them in a small, microwave-safe container. Then, cover the top with plastic wrap and microwave the berries for 1 to 2 minutes. As the fruit heats up, its scent spreads through the microwave and replaces bad odors with a sweet, tangy smell. [10]
    • Use any kind of berry for this method. For example, create a mixture of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
    • Leave a gap between the top of the berries and the plastic wrap. This helps keep the berries smelling fresh and prevents the plastic wrap from melting.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    If you have a favorite essential oil, use it to get your microwave smelling fresh. Just add 4 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil into a microwave-safe bowl with ½ cup (118 mL) of water. Then, heat the mixture up for 1 to 2 minutes and let it sit inside to steam for another 1 to 2 minutes. [11]
    • For example, use an essential oil like lemon , orange , or tea tree oil . Or, create your own unique scent blend.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Bad Smells

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Bad Smells out of a Microwave
    After you finish microwaving your meal, check inside to see if any food splashed onto the top, bottom, or sides of your microwave. If there is any mess to clean up, take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe off the food. [12]
    • To prevent food messes, place a splatter guard on top of your container to keep the spills inside.
    • Keep the microwave door open for 1 to 2 minutes after you use it to air it out and remove any smells inside.
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    The best way to prevent unpleasant odors is to clean your microwave regularly. Simply mix 1 cup (237 mL) of water, 1 cup (237 mL) of white vinegar, and 2 to 4 slices of lemon in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture for 5 minutes, or until it starts to boil, then let it stand for another 5 minutes. Then, wipe the inside with a damp sponge or cloth. [13]
    • To deep clean the turntable, take it out after steaming it with the vinegar and lemon and scrub it in warm water and dish soap.
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    Replace the charcoal filter in your microwave every 6 to 12 months. If you have a microwave that sits over your oven, it captures grease and food particles in a filter that can cause unpleasant odors over time. Simply unplug your microwave and find the filter—depending on your model it might be on the bottom of the microwave or under a panel at the top. Then, lift out the filter and slide a new one into place. [14]
    • The panel that covers the filter on top of the microwave is usually held into place with screws. Simply use a screwdriver to remove them and the panel.
    • Check your microwave’s owner's manual to find what kind of charcoal filter it needs to be replaced with.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I freshen my microwave?
    Raymond Chiu
    House Cleaning Professional
    Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.
    Raymond Chiu
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and half a cup of water and put the bowl inside the microwave. Turn the microwave on high for 5-minutes, and let the bowl sit for an additional 15 minutes. The steam will loosen up the debris and remove the odor in the microwave. You can then use a cloth to wipe the inside of the microwave.
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  • Question
    How much water is needed for the baking soda method?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    You’ll need 1 US quart (or 0.95 liters) of warm water to use the baking soda method.
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  • Question
    How do I get the smell of fish out of my microwave?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    Try replacing the smell with something sweeter, like berries. Cover a bowl of berries with plastic wrap and heat it up for several minutes.
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      Video

      Things You’ll Need

      Neutralizing Odors

      • White vinegar
      • Water
      • Lemon
      • Baking soda
      • Charcoal
      • Rubbing alcohol
      • Microwave-safe container
      • Measuring spoons and cups
      • Sponge or cloth

      Spreading Pleasant Scents

      • Ground coffee
      • Vanilla extract
      • Cloves
      • Berries (various kinds)
      • Plastic wrap
      • Essential oils (various kinds)
      • Microwave-safe container
      • Measuring spoons and cups
      • Sponge or cloth

      Preventing Bad Smells

      • Sponge or cloth
      • Splatter guard, optional
      • White vinegar
      • Lemon
      • Dish soap
      • Microwave-safe container
      • Measuring spoons and cups
      • Charcoal filter

      Tips

      • Wipe down your microwave with dish soap and warm water to remove any spills and debris before you deodorize it.
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      • Keep the microwave door open for several minutes after deodorizing and cleaning it to let it air dry.
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      Warnings

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      References

      1. ↑ Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview 8 May 2020.
      2. ↑ https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/why-cant-we-put-metal-objects-in-a-microwave/
      3. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/kitchen-cleaning/tips-for-cleaning-a-microwave-with-lemons.html
      4. ↑ Raymond Chiu. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview 8 May 2020.
      5. ↑ https://microwaveninja.com/how-to-remove-odor-from-microwave/
      6. ↑ https://www.mytidycorner.com/how-to-deodorize-a-microwave/
      7. ↑ https://microwaveninja.com/how-to-remove-odor-from-microwave/
      8. ↑ https://becausemomsays.com/how-to-remove-burnt-smell-from-microwave/
      9. ↑ https://microwaveninja.com/how-to-remove-odor-from-microwave/
      1. ↑ https://becausemomsays.com/how-to-remove-burnt-smell-from-microwave/
      2. ↑ https://microwaveninja.com/how-to-remove-odor-from-microwave/
      3. ↑ https://microwavemealprep.com/how-to-clean-microwave-smell/
      4. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-clean-microwave/
      5. ↑ https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/global/documents/201809/use-and-care-w11236923-revA.pdf
      6. ↑ https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/why-cant-we-put-metal-objects-in-a-microwave/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get bad smells out of a microwave, add 4 teaspoons of white vinegar and some water to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave this on high for 6 minutes, and when then wipe the inside of the microwave with some soap and water. If you don't have vinegar, you can microwave a mixture of 5 teaspoons of baking soda in a bowl of water instead. Then, just dip a sponge or cloth in the baking soda mixture and use that to wipe down the inside of your microwave. To learn how to use cloves or berries to remove bad smells from your microwave, read on!

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