How to Get the Stink Out of Your Microwave

Microwaves are a workhorse kitchen appliance. They do the heavy lifting and typically don’t need much effort from us. However, they can become plagued with unpleasant odors.

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Whether it's the aftermath of burnt popcorn, or the lingering smell of foods like fish, a stinky microwave can not only be unpleasant to the nose, but also can affect the taste of our food. Try one of these techniques to eliminate microwave odors.

First Things First: Try a Steam Clean

The first thing you should do to try to eliminate odors from your microwave is to give it a good cleaning and airing out. Because your microwave is an expert at heating things up, you can use this quality to help get it clean with the power of steam. Here’s how:

1. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water.

2. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the bowl, or add a few tablespoons of white vinegar.

3. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for three to five minutes, until the water boils and produces steam.

4. Keep the microwave door closed for an additional five minutes to allow the steam to loosen the grime and food particles.

5. Carefully remove the bowl (it will be hot). Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.

6. For stubborn stains, dip the cloth or sponge in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water, and scrub gently.

7. Finally, wipe the interior with a clean, damp cloth to remove any cleaning residue.

Try a Baking Soda Booster

Another technique to get your microwave clean is to use a paste made from two tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste. Then, using a sponge or cloth, apply the baking soda paste to the interior surfaces of your microwave, focusing on stubborn stains. Let the paste sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow it to penetrate and break down the grime then wipe clean.

For the microwave tray or turntable, remove it and wash it with warm, soapy water. Finish by wiping the interior with a damp cloth to remove any residue, and then dry it with a clean cloth.

If these techniques didn’t freshen up your smelly microwave, you can go one step further and try one of the following methods.

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Method 1: White Vinegar and Baking Soda

Materials:

• 1/4 cup of white vinegar
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Sponge
• Clean cloth

Instructions:

1. Soak your sponge in the white vinegar.

2. Place the sponge in the microwave and heat it on high for about 30 seconds.

3. Let the sponge cool slightly, then use it to wipe out the inside of the microwave.

4. Rinse everything with a clean cloth, then dry.

5. Leave the door open until the vinegar smell dissipates, which shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

Note: For ongoing odor control, place an open box of baking soda inside the microwave when not in use.

Method 2: Lemon Juice

Materials:

• Juice of one lemon
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Water
• Damp cloth or sponge

Instructions:

1. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Add half a cup of water to the bowl.

3. Microwave the mixture on high for three to four minutes until it boils and produces steam.

4. Keep the microwave door closed for an additional five minutes.

5. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.

6. The microwave should now have a pleasant lemon scent.

Method 3: Vanilla Extract

Materials:

• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of water
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Damp cloth or sponge

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine two teaspoons of vanilla extract with one cup of water.

2. Microwave the mixture on high for two minutes until it begins to boil and release its aroma.

3. Let the bowl sit inside the closed microwave overnight.

4. The next day, remove the bowl and wipe down the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.

5. Enjoy the delightful scent of vanilla in your refreshed microwave.

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Method 4: Coffee

Materials:

• 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Water
• Damp cloth or sponge

Instructions:

1. Pour the coffee grounds into the microwave-safe bowl along with one cup of water. Make sure the coffee grounds are fully submerged.

2. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high power for two to three minutes until the water starts to boil and release the aroma of coffee.

3. Let the bowl sit in the closed microwave for an additional five minutes to allow the coffee scent to neutralize any bad odors.

4. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (be cautious as it may be hot) and set it aside.

5. Take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe down the interior surfaces of the microwave, paying extra attention to any areas with visible stains or spills.

6. Rinse the cloth or sponge frequently and continue wiping until all traces of the odors are removed.

If All Else Fails …

If these methods fail to get your microwave smelling fresh, the source of your odor problem might be the grease filter, provided your microwave has one. The filter is fairly standard for over-range microwaves and is usually found along the bottom of the unit. These filters should be removed regularly and either replaced or cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.