How to Get a Burnt Smell Out of the Microwave
You cooked something a little too long, and now you’re wondering how to get a burnt smell out of the microwave.
Burning food happens to all of us at some point, and while your house may smell unpleasant now, you can act fast to eliminate the odor. There are several techniques to remove the smell from your microwave, many using standard household supplies.
Here’s what to try.
What to Do Before Cleaning Your Microwave
A burnt smell doesn’t only affect the microwave. It will waft through the air and settle on other surfaces. So while it’s critical to deal with the odors inside the microwave, you also need to deal with them elsewhere.
Start by opening windows and running a fan to ventilate the room. Then wipe surrounding surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner or solution of half vinegar and half water.
Top 5 Ways to Get a Burnt Smell Out of the Microwave
Getting a burnt smell out of the microwave can be difficult, depending on what type of food you burned and the severity. For light odors, these methods should work. For stubborn odors, you might have to combine methods. For example, you can steam the microwave with vinegar and then use a box of baking soda to help absorb the rest.
Steam the Microwave with Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer, and when you use it to steam your microwave, it breaks down grime and leaves it smelling better.
Here’s what to do:
- Fill a microwave-safe dish with one cup of water and 3 tbsp of white distilled vinegar.
- Microwave the mug for five minutes.
- Wait five more minutes, and remove the mug.
- Soak a rag in a solution of half water and half vinegar and wipe the inside of the microwave.
Steam the Microwave with Lemon Juice
You can use lemon juice to steam the microwave if you don’t have vinegar.
Start by filling a microwave-safe dish with one cup of water and 1 TBS of lemon juice or a sliced lemon. Microwave for five minutes and then allow the solution to sit in the microwave for another five minutes.
Remove the bowl and wipe down the inside using a microfiber cloth.
Leave an Opened Box of Baking Soda in the Microwave Overnight
Baking soda is an odor absorber and can aid in getting rid of a burnt smell.
Dump baking soda into a bowl and set it in the microwave. Then take out the baking soda in the morning.
Make sure no one uses the microwave while the baking soda is in it.
Use Coffee to Eliminate the Smell
You can use coffee as an odor absorber or microwave it to help mask the smell. Here’s how:
- Add a couple of spoons full of ground coffee to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Mix in water until the coffee looks soupy.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes.
If the smell persists, place a bowl of dried coffee grounds in the microwave and allow it to sit for at least a couple of hours to neutralize odors.
Warm Vanilla to Get the Burnt Smell Out of the Microwave
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add two TBS of vanilla extract. Microwave for five minutes or until the liquid boils and steams the microwave.
Wait an additional five minutes for the liquid to cool down, and remove it from the microwave. Then, wipe down the insides with a microfiber cloth.
Removing the Burnt Smell from a Microwave: It May Take Some Time
While all these methods work to eliminate a burnt food smell from the microwave, it may take some time for the scent to leave the home. Leave your microwave door open so it can air out. Also, keep windows open and a fan running so your kitchen can ventilate.