How to Get Burnt Smell Out of Microwave Oven (7 Steps)

What if you just heated your favorite food, but now your microwave smells like burnt toast? It’s so annoying! Imagine warming popcorn for movie night, then the whole kitchen smells burnt. Don’t worry! In this post, I’ll share simple and quick ways to get rid of that burnt smell from your microwave fast. Let’s fix it together!

Clean the Microwave Interior Thoroughly

The first thing you need to do is clean the inside of your microwave well. Often, the burnt smell stays because tiny burnt bits or food spills are stuck inside. Start by unplugging the microwave for safety.

Then, mix warm water with a little dish soap in a bowl. Use a soft sponge or cloth soaked in this soapy water to wipe all the walls, ceiling, and floor of the microwave. Don’t forget the microwave door and the edges where food crumbs can hide.

For stubborn burnt spots, you can make a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste gently on the burnt areas and let it sit for 10 minutes. After that, scrub softly with a sponge and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Rinse the sponge regularly to avoid spreading burnt particles around. This deep cleaning helps remove the burnt food and grease that cause the smell.

After cleaning, leave the microwave door open for some time so the inside can dry completely. This helps air out any remaining odor. If the burnt smell is still strong, try the next methods in this article.

• Unplug microwave before cleaning
• Use warm soapy water and a sponge to wipe all inside surfaces
• Apply baking soda paste on burnt spots for 10 minutes, then scrub gently
• Rinse and wipe clean
• Leave the microwave door open to dry and air out

Use Lemon and Water to Freshen the Air

Lemon is a natural freshener and works great to get rid of burnt smells in microwaves. To do this, cut a fresh lemon into halves and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add about half a cup of water into the bowl. You can also add the lemon halves to the bowl for extra scent.

Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for 3 to 5 minutes. The lemon water will start to steam, and the warm lemon scent will spread inside the microwave. This steam loosens the burnt smell stuck to the walls and door. After heating, leave the bowl inside for 10 more minutes with the microwave door closed. This helps the steam work better.

Once done, open the door and wipe the inside with a clean cloth to remove any leftover moisture. You will notice the burnt smell has reduced a lot, replaced by the fresh lemon scent. You can repeat this method a few times if the smell is very strong.

• Cut and squeeze lemon juice into microwave-safe bowl with water
• Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes until steaming
• Leave bowl inside for 10 minutes with door closed
• Wipe inside with a clean cloth
• Repeat if needed

Try Vinegar Steam Cleaning

Vinegar is another great natural cleaner and deodorizer. It kills the smell of burnt food without harsh chemicals. Take one cup of white vinegar and pour it into a microwave-safe bowl. Add one cup of water to the vinegar.

Put the bowl inside the microwave and heat it on high for about 5 minutes. The vinegar water will boil and create steam, which spreads inside the microwave. This steam breaks down burnt particles and neutralizes bad smells.

After heating, keep the microwave door closed for 15 minutes to let the steam work better. Then carefully remove the bowl and wipe the inside with a soft cloth. Vinegar may have a strong smell at first, but it disappears quickly and takes the burnt smell with it.

If you want to make the vinegar smell nicer, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil like lavender or lemon before heating. This makes the cleaning process smell pleasant.

• Mix equal parts vinegar and water in microwave-safe bowl
• Heat for 5 minutes until steaming
• Close door for 15 minutes after heating
• Remove bowl carefully and wipe inside
• Add essential oils for better smell if wanted

Use Baking Soda to Absorb Smell

Baking soda is a simple and safe way to absorb bad smells in your microwave. After cleaning and steaming methods, if the smell still lingers, baking soda can help.

Take a small bowl or cup and fill it with baking soda. Place it inside the microwave and close the door. Leave it there overnight or at least for 24 hours. Baking soda naturally absorbs odors from the air, making your microwave smell fresh again.

You can also sprinkle a little baking soda on a damp cloth and wipe the inside surfaces gently. Be careful not to scratch the microwave. After wiping, rinse with a clean damp cloth.

For stronger smell removal, combine baking soda with activated charcoal in the bowl. Both are good at trapping odors. This method is slow but very effective.

• Put baking soda in a bowl inside microwave
• Leave overnight or 24 hours to absorb smells
• Wipe inside gently with damp baking soda cloth if needed
• Rinse well after wiping
• Add activated charcoal for stronger smell removal

Use Coffee Grounds for Natural Deodorizing

Coffee grounds are excellent natural deodorizer that can replace chemical fresheners. If you love the smell of coffee, this method is perfect for you.

Take a small bowl of dry used coffee grounds (make sure they are dry, not wet or oily). Place the bowl inside the microwave with the door closed. Leave it there for at least 24 hours. Coffee grounds soak up bad odors and replace them with a rich coffee scent.

If you don’t have used grounds, fresh dry coffee works well too. Just avoid wet grounds because they can get moldy.

You can also mix coffee grounds with a little baking soda for extra power in removing the burnt smell. After 24 hours, take the bowl out and wipe the microwave with a dry cloth.

• Use dry coffee grounds in a bowl inside microwave
• Leave closed for 24 hours to absorb smell
• Use fresh dry grounds if used ones are unavailable
• Mix with baking soda for extra deodorizing power
• Wipe microwave with dry cloth after removing bowl

Air Out the Microwave with Open Door and Fan

Sometimes, the burnt smell just needs fresh air and time to leave the microwave. If you have the option, place the microwave somewhere with good air flow.

Keep the microwave door open for several hours or even a full day. You can place a small fan near the microwave blowing air inside. This helps remove the trapped burnt smell faster by moving fresh air in and stale air out.

If the microwave is inside a cabinet, try taking it out or opening the cabinet doors wide. Fresh air and sunlight outside the kitchen also help reduce burnt odors.

This method takes time but is very natural and safe. Use it combined with cleaning and deodorizing methods above for the best result.

• Keep microwave door open for hours or a full day
• Use a small fan blowing fresh air inside
• Take microwave out of closed cabinet if possible
• Use fresh air and sunlight to help remove smell
• Combine with other methods for faster result

Place Charcoal or Activated Carbon to Neutralize Odors

Activated charcoal or carbon is famous for trapping bad smells in homes. You can use it to remove burnt smell from your microwave.

Get a small bowl of activated charcoal (available in stores or online). Place the bowl inside the microwave with the door closed. Leave it for 24 to 48 hours. The charcoal will trap and absorb the burnt odors completely.

Charcoal works well even if the microwave has stubborn smells that do not go away with other methods. Make sure the charcoal is dry and replace it if it becomes damp.

You can also combine charcoal with baking soda or coffee grounds to increase odor absorption power. After the waiting time, remove the charcoal and wipe the microwave inside with a clean cloth.

• Use dry activated charcoal in a bowl inside microwave
• Leave closed for 24 to 48 hours
• Replace charcoal if damp or old
• Combine with baking soda or coffee grounds for better effect
• Wipe inside after removing charcoal

Final Thoughts

Burnt smells in a microwave can be very frustrating, but with patience and simple home ingredients, you can get rid of them quickly. Cleaning the microwave well, using natural fresheners like lemon or vinegar, and letting baking soda, coffee, or charcoal absorb odors all work together to bring freshness back. Remember to always air out the microwave and repeat any method if needed. These easy and safe tips will keep your microwave smelling great and your kitchen pleasant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to use vinegar in the microwave to remove smells?

Yes, it is safe to use vinegar in the microwave to remove smells. Vinegar is a natural cleaner and deodorizer that works well to break down burnt food particles and odors without harmful chemicals. When heated, vinegar creates steam that spreads inside the microwave, loosening stuck-on grime and neutralizing bad smells. Just be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl and do not leave the vinegar unattended while heating. After steaming, wipe the microwave thoroughly to remove any vinegar residue. The strong vinegar smell will fade quickly, leaving a fresher-smelling microwave.

Can baking soda really get rid of burnt smells in a microwave?

Yes, baking soda is very effective at getting rid of burnt smells in a microwave. It works by absorbing odors from the air naturally. Leaving a bowl of baking soda inside the microwave overnight or longer helps soak up bad smells. You can also wipe the interior gently with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda paste for stubborn spots. It is a safe, inexpensive, and chemical-free way to freshen your microwave. Baking soda works best combined with other methods like cleaning and steam treatments.

Do I need to unplug the microwave before cleaning it?

It is a good safety practice to unplug the microwave before cleaning it. Unplugging prevents any accidental electric shocks and stops the microwave from turning on while you clean inside. Also, avoid getting any electrical parts wet. Always clean with a soft cloth or sponge and never spray cleaner directly inside the microwave. Unplugging makes the process safer and easier to focus on thorough cleaning.

Is it okay to leave the microwave door open to get rid of smells?

Yes, leaving the microwave door open helps air out smells naturally. Fresh air helps remove trapped burnt odors over time. If possible, keep the door open for several hours or even a whole day. Adding a small fan blowing fresh air inside can speed up this process. Just make sure the microwave is unplugged while the door is open for safety. Airing out the microwave works best when combined with cleaning and deodorizing methods.

Can coffee grounds remove burnt odors in a microwave?

Coffee grounds are great for removing burnt odors because they absorb bad smells and leave behind a pleasant coffee scent. Using dry coffee grounds in a bowl inside the microwave and leaving it closed for 24 hours helps soak up burnt smells. Make sure the coffee grounds are dry to avoid mold. Mixing coffee grounds with baking soda can increase odor absorption. This is a natural and effective way to freshen your microwave.

Do I need special products to clean burnt smells from my microwave?

No, you don’t need special products to clean burnt smells from your microwave. Simple household items like lemon, vinegar, baking soda, coffee grounds, and activated charcoal work very well. These natural ingredients are safe, inexpensive, and easy to use. Combined with proper cleaning and airing out, they effectively remove burnt odors without harsh chemicals or strong perfumes.

Is it necessary to wipe the microwave after steaming lemon or vinegar?

Yes, wiping the microwave after steaming lemon or vinegar is important. The steam loosens dirt and odors, but some moisture and residue can remain on the walls and ceiling. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the inside thoroughly after steaming. This removes any leftover grime and prevents new smells from forming. Dry the microwave with the door open afterward to finish the process.

Can activated charcoal help if other methods don’t work?

Activated charcoal is very powerful for removing stubborn burnt smells if other methods don’t fully work. It traps odors by absorbing them, making it a popular choice for deep deodorizing. Leaving dry charcoal inside the microwave for 24 to 48 hours helps neutralize strong smells. Charcoal can be combined with baking soda or coffee grounds for extra strength. It is safe and chemical-free but needs dry conditions to work best.