How to Get Rid of the Smoke Smell After a Microwave Fire

Food burning in the microwave can lead to fire.

Distraction from the microwave cooking process may result in a microwave fire. Like any other kitchen fire, a fire in the microwave oven results in smoke and a strong, lingering odor. The smoke smell will remain in your kitchen and surrounding rooms until you get rid of it by using the correct cleaning supplies and techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• 1/2 cup ammonia
• Rubber gloves
• Clean cloths
• Cooking pot
• Lemon
• Paring knife
• Small bowls
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water. Add 1/2 cup of ammonia.

2. Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin from the ammonia mixture. Soak a clean cloth in the diluted ammonia.

3. Wash your kitchen surfaces to remove smoke or soot film that contributes to the odor. Rinse the cloth as necessary.

4. Pour 1 quart of water into a cooking pot. Cut a lemon into slices with a paring knife. Add the lemon slices to the water. Bring the lemon and water mixture to a boil. Adjust the heat to allow the mixture to simmer.

5. Fill small bowls halfway with white vinegar. Leave the bowls in the rooms affected by the smoke smell for two or three days to absorb the odor. Replenish the vinegar as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Natural stone tiles in the kitchen require special cleaners to keep them in top shape. Use the cleaner recommended by the tile manufacturer to remove smoke stains and odor.

• Sprinkle baking soda or activated charcoal on porous surfaces, such as dining room chair upholstery, to absorb the smoke smell.

• Open windows each day until the smoke smell is gone.

References

• University of Florida Cooperative Extension; Handling Smoke Damage After a Fire -- Getting Soot and Smoke Out; 1998
• Michigan State University Extension; Removing Smoke Odor After a Fire; Anne Field; June 2003
• University of Kentucky; Odors: What's That Smell?; Linda R. Adler; January 1997
• Re-Nest; 27 Household Uses for Citrus Fruit; Janel Laban; April 2009
• Environmental Protection Agency: Safer Cleaning
• Mother Earth News; Greener Cleaners; Annie Berthold-Bond; April 2004