How to Get Burnt Smells Out of a Microwave in 3 Easy Steps

Accidents in the kitchen are inevitable, and one of the most common mishaps is burning food in the microwave. Whether it’s a forgotten bag of popcorn or a reheated meal that got a bit too crispy, burnt smells can linger and make your microwave—and your entire kitchen—smell unpleasant. Luckily, you can tackle this issue effectively with just a few simple steps. Here’s how to get burnt smells out of a microwave in three easy steps.

Step 1: Steam Clean the Microwave

What You Need:

• Microwave-safe bowl

• Distilled white vinegar or fresh lemons

• Water

Instructions:

Prepare the Solution:

• For a vinegar solution, mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl.

• Alternatively, you can use one sliced lemon and two cups of water. The natural acidity of vinegar and lemon helps neutralize unpleasant odors.

Heat the Solution:

• Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high until the solution begins to boil. This usually takes around 5 minutes.

• Once boiling, let the bowl sit in the closed microwave for an additional 5 minutes. The steam from the solution will help loosen burnt food particles and neutralize odors.

Remove and Wipe:

• Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave using oven mitts, as it will be hot.

• Use a sponge or cloth dipped in the solution to wipe down every interior surface of the microwave. Be sure to rinse the sponge frequently to avoid spreading the burnt particles around.

Step 2: Deep Clean if Necessary

If the burnt smell persists or if there are visible residues and stains, a more thorough cleaning may be required. Here’s how:

What You Need:

• Baking soda

• Spray bottle with distilled white vinegar

• Microfiber cloth

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (optional)

• Dish soap with degreaser

• Turntable (if applicable)

Instructions:

Initial Steam Clean:

• Repeat the initial steaming process with the vinegar or lemon solution to loosen up any remaining burnt food particles.

Apply Baking Soda:

• Sprinkle baking soda over the interior surfaces of the microwave. This will act as a gentle abrasive to help remove stubborn residues. Allow the baking soda to sit and fizz until the reaction stops.

Scrub and Wipe:

• Use a damp microfiber cloth to scrub away the loosened food particles. For persistent stains, dampen a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and gently scrub the affected areas.

• Wipe down the interior with a cloth dampened in distilled white vinegar to remove any leftover baking soda and vinegar residues.

Clean the Turntable:

• If your microwave has a turntable, remove it and wash it in the dishwasher or by hand with dish soap and a degreaser.

Step 3: Air Out the Microwave

After cleaning, it's important to ensure that the microwave is thoroughly aired out to remove any residual odors.

What You Need:

• Baking soda

• Activated charcoal

• Unscented cat litter

• Fresh coffee grounds

Instructions:

Choose an Odor Absorber:

• Place a bowl of baking soda, activated charcoal, or unscented cat litter inside the microwave. These substances are excellent at absorbing odors.

Let it Sit:

• Close the microwave door and leave the bowl inside for several hours or overnight. For best results, leave it for a few days to ensure that all lingering smells are absorbed.

Remove the Absorber:

• After the odor absorber has had sufficient time to work, remove it from the microwave. Wipe down the interior once more if needed.

Conclusion

Getting burnt smells out of your microwave doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these three easy steps—steaming, deep cleaning, and airing out—you can effectively neutralize and remove unpleasant odors from your appliance. By using common household items like vinegar, lemon, and baking soda, you can restore freshness to your microwave without relying on harsh chemicals. Regular maintenance and quick cleanups after cooking can also help prevent strong odors from developing in the future.

Remember, the key to a fresh-smelling microwave is prompt action and thorough cleaning. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your microwave remains a clean, odor-free appliance, making your kitchen a more pleasant place to be.

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