How to Remove Smell from Microwave with Lemon (6 Steps)

What if your microwave smells like last week’s dinner? Imagine heating your food and getting a weird smell instead of a fresh one. Don’t worry! You can fix it easily with just a lemon. In this blog, I’ll show you a simple, natural way to remove bad smells from your microwave using something you already have at home!

Cut and Squeeze the Lemon into a Bowl

First, take one fresh lemon. Make sure it is juicy and not dry. Wash it under clean water. Now cut it into two halves using a sharp knife. Hold one half of the lemon over a microwave-safe bowl and squeeze all the juice into the bowl. Then do the same with the other half. After squeezing both halves, drop the lemon pieces into the same bowl with the juice.

This is very important. The juice holds the smell-fighting power of the lemon, and the peels help to release the lemon oil when heated. The mix of both helps clean and freshen your microwave easily. The acid from the lemon juice helps break down grease and food bits that are stuck inside the microwave. It also kills bacteria that may cause bad smells.

The bowl should be microwave-safe. You can use a glass or ceramic bowl, but don’t use plastic. Plastic can melt or get too hot in the microwave. Also, don’t fill the bowl with too much water. Just half a cup is enough along with the lemon juice.

Make sure to place the lemon halves inside the bowl gently, not just throw them in. The oils from the peel will mix with the water and juice while heating. That mix works better than using only juice.

Keep in mind, a fresh and ripe lemon always gives the best results. If your lemon is too old or dry, it won’t have enough juice or smell. So always check before using.

• Take 1 fresh lemon
• Cut it in half
• Squeeze juice into a microwave-safe bowl
• Add lemon halves into the same bowl
• Use only half a cup of water

Put the Bowl Inside the Microwave

Now that your bowl is ready with lemon juice, lemon pieces, and water, it’s time to place it inside the microwave. Be careful not to spill the water when carrying the bowl. Use both hands if needed, so it stays steady.

Put the bowl in the center of the microwave turntable. This is important because the steam will spread evenly when the bowl is in the middle. If you place it off to one side, the steam might not reach all parts of the microwave equally.

Close the microwave door gently. Make sure it shuts properly. A loose or partly open door will not let the microwave work correctly. Also, the steam will escape if the door is not shut right.

Why is this part so important? Because the bowl now holds all the magic. Once it starts heating, the lemon juice and lemon oil from the peel will create steam. That steam will go all around the inside of your microwave. It will stick to the walls and roof of the microwave and break down the stuck food bits and grease.

This makes the cleaning part much easier later. You will also notice a light lemon smell filling the microwave even before it finishes heating. That’s a good sign that everything is working well.

If your microwave has a rotating plate, make sure the bowl sits flat and does not tilt. If it tilts, the water can spill, and that’s not safe. Also, don’t cover the bowl with anything. You want the steam to rise freely into the air inside.

• Carry the bowl carefully to the microwave
• Place it in the center of the turntable
• Make sure the bowl sits flat and steady
• Shut the microwave door properly
• Do not cover the bowl

Heat the Lemon Water for a Few Minutes

After placing the bowl inside, now it’s time to heat it. Set your microwave to high power. Heat the lemon water for 3 to 5 minutes. The time depends on how powerful your microwave is. If your microwave is strong, 3 minutes is enough. If it’s a little old or slow, go with 5 minutes.

While heating, do not open the door. Just watch it from outside. You will see the water start to bubble. That’s when the steam begins to fill the microwave. The hot steam will rise and touch every surface inside.

This steam carries the lemon smell and also softens the dried food inside the microwave. If your microwave is very dirty or has strong smell, it’s okay to heat for a full 5 minutes.

Once the time is over, do not open the door right away. Let the bowl sit inside with the door shut for another 3 to 5 minutes. This extra waiting time lets the steam work better. It will melt any sticky food and make it easy to wipe later.

Also, this step makes the microwave smell like fresh lemon. It’s one of the best parts of this trick. You’ll be surprised how much better your kitchen smells after this!

• Set microwave on high power
• Heat the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes
• Let the bowl sit for 3 to 5 minutes after heating
• Watch the steam form inside
• Do not open the door too early

Open the Microwave and Remove the Bowl Carefully

After the wait time is over, open the microwave slowly. Be careful when doing this because there will still be hot steam inside. Let the steam come out for a few seconds before reaching in.

Use oven mitts or a towel to hold the bowl. The bowl and water inside will be very hot. Never touch it with bare hands. Slowly take the bowl out and place it on a counter or sink to cool down.

Now take a moment to smell the inside of your microwave. It should smell fresh and clean like lemon. The bad odor should be gone or very light now.

You might also see water drops on the inside walls and ceiling of the microwave. That’s from the steam. It means the lemon steam touched all sides and loosened the dirt.

This part is very important. If you rush or use bare hands, you can burn yourself. The bowl may not look hot, but it is. So always use something to hold it.

• Open microwave slowly
• Let steam escape before reaching in
• Use oven mitts or a towel to remove bowl
• Place bowl in a safe place to cool
• Check the fresh lemon smell inside

Wipe Down the Inside of the Microwave

Now that the steam has done its job, it’s time to clean the inside. Take a clean, soft cloth or paper towel. You can also use a sponge. Start wiping the inside walls, ceiling, and floor of the microwave.

You will see how easy it is now to clean. The food bits and grease will come off easily. That’s because the lemon steam already melted most of the mess.

Make sure to reach every corner. Wipe the microwave door as well, including the inside of the door glass. If there are still some tough spots, you can dip the cloth into the warm lemon water and wipe again.

You don’t need any soap or cleaner. The lemon already did the cleaning job. It also left a fresh and natural smell, which stays longer than store-bought sprays.

Wipe the whole inside two times to be sure it’s fully clean. Don’t forget to clean under the glass turntable if your microwave has one. You can even remove the turntable, wash it with lemon water, and put it back.

This is the most satisfying part of the process. You will notice your microwave looks and smells just like new.

• Use cloth, paper towel, or sponge
• Wipe walls, ceiling, and floor
• Clean inside of microwave door
• Dip cloth in lemon water if needed
• Wash turntable if possible

Repeat if the Smell Is Still There

Sometimes, if your microwave had a very strong smell like burnt popcorn or leftover curry, one round may not be enough. That’s okay. Just repeat the same steps one more time with a fresh lemon.

Strong smells sometimes stick deep inside the microwave, especially if they were there for many days. A second lemon round will make it better.

If you don’t want to use a full lemon again, you can reuse the same lemon halves with fresh water. But using a new lemon will always give better results.

If after two rounds the smell is still there, leave the door of the microwave open for one full day. This helps air it out and removes any last bit of bad smell.

You can also place a small bowl of baking soda inside the microwave overnight. That helps absorb smells even more. But usually, lemon works well even on the first try.

• Use fresh lemon for second round
• Repeat steam method if needed
• Leave microwave door open to air out
• Use baking soda overnight for extra help
• Don’t worry if it takes two tries

Keep Your Microwave Smelling Fresh After Cleaning

Now that your microwave smells great, you want to keep it that way. Always cover your food when heating. This stops splashes and smell from getting inside.

Wipe your microwave every few days, even if it doesn’t look dirty. Just a quick clean helps stop smells before they grow strong.

You can also keep a small bowl of baking soda inside the microwave when not in use. It helps keep smells away. Replace it every two weeks.

Another trick is to microwave a slice of lemon in water once a week. This keeps the lemon smell fresh inside and stops new smells from building up.

Never leave old food inside the microwave. Always remove leftovers and wipe any spills right away. The sooner you clean them, the less chance they have to make bad smells.

• Cover food while heating
• Wipe microwave every few days
• Use baking soda to absorb smells
• Microwave lemon weekly for freshness
• Clean spills and leftovers quickly

Final Thoughts

Using lemon to remove smell from microwave is a simple, cheap, and natural way that works really well. I have used this method many times, and it always makes my microwave smell fresh and look clean. It doesn’t need any strong chemical or expensive cleaner. Just a lemon, some water, and a little time can make a big change. Try it and feel the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to clean microwave with lemon?

Yes, it is very safe to clean a microwave with lemon. Lemons are natural and do not contain harmful chemicals. When heated with water, lemon creates steam that softens dirt and removes smells. It does not damage the microwave and is even safe around children and pets. Many people use it because it is easy and gentle. It also leaves a nice fresh scent.

Can I use lemon juice from a bottle instead?

You can use bottled lemon juice, but it may not work as well as a fresh lemon. Bottled juice often has added preservatives and may not have the same strong smell or natural oils. Fresh lemon has both juice and peel, and the peel gives extra cleaning power. For best results, always use a fresh lemon when cleaning your microwave.

Do I need to add baking soda with lemon?

You don’t need to add baking soda when using lemon, but you can if you want extra smell control. Baking soda helps absorb strong smells. You can place a small bowl of baking soda inside your microwave after cleaning to keep it fresh. But during the cleaning with steam, lemon alone works well for most cases.

Is it okay to use a plastic bowl?

It’s better not to use a plastic bowl. Plastic can get too hot and may melt or release harmful chemicals. Always use a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl. These are safer and can handle the heat better. Using the right bowl also makes the process more effective and safer for your microwave.

Can I clean microwave like this every week?

Yes, you can clean your microwave with lemon every week. It’s a safe and easy method that does not harm the microwave. In fact, doing this weekly helps stop bad smells from building up. It also keeps your microwave shiny and fresh all the time. Many people make it a part of their weekend cleaning routine.

Do I need to wipe microwave after steam?

Yes, it’s very important to wipe the microwave after steaming with lemon. The steam softens the dirt and grease, but you still need to wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel. If you skip wiping, the food bits and water may stay and cause smell again. Always finish with a good wipe for the best result.

Can I reuse the lemon more than once?

You can reuse the same lemon once if it still has some juice and scent. But after two uses, the lemon will not work as well. The juice and natural oils reduce after each use. For better cleaning and stronger smell, it’s always better to use a fresh lemon each time. Fresh lemons give the best results.

Is it normal for steam to collect on microwave walls?

Yes, it’s normal and a good sign. When you heat lemon water, the steam touches all parts of the inside microwave. That steam turns into water drops on the walls, roof, and door. It shows that the steam reached every area and helped clean it. You should wipe this off after removing the bowl for a clean finish.