How to Remove Odors From Microwave Ovens

Keeping microwave ovens clean prevents many odors.

Microwave ovens are recognized for their efficiency, versatility and convenience. Cooking uncovered foods in microwaves can cause spills and stains. Failure to clean food debris from microwave ovens can lead to unpleasant odors. Unpleasant odors from burnt foods, such as popcorn, can also absorb into microwave surfaces. The longer food odors remain in microwave ovens, the more difficult they are to remove. Basic solutions and techniques can effectively remove odors from microwave ovens.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bowl
• 1 qt. warm water
• 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap
• 1/4-cup chlorine bleach
• 2 clean cotton rag
• Nylon scrub brush
• Paper towels
• Microwave-safe bowl
• 1 cup cool water
• 2 tbsp. baking soda
• 1/2 chopped lemon
• 4 whole cloves
• Microwave-safe plate

Instructions

1. Fill a plastic bowl with 1 qt. of warm water. Add 2 tbsp. of liquid dish soap and 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach to the water. Thoroughly mix the solution.

2. Dampen a clean cotton rag in the solution. Wipe all inside surfaces of the microwave with the soapy rag to remove food debris and stains. Scrub stubborn residue with a nylon scrub brush.

3. Moisten another cotton rag with warm water. Wipe the microwave surfaces with the rag to wash away soap and loose food debris. Thoroughly rinse the inside of the microwave.

4. Dry the microwave's interior surfaces with paper towels. If odors remain in the microwave, fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of cool water. Add to the water 2 tbsp. of baking soda, half of a chopped lemon (including pulp and rind) and four whole cloves.

5. Place a microwave-safe plate on the microwave turntable. Set the bowl on the plate.

6. Heat the microwave on high for three minutes. Operate the microwave according to the manufacturer's directions. Keep the bowl in the microwave for 15 minutes.

7. Remove the bowl from the microwave. Wipe the microwave's interior surfaces with clean paper towels to remove steam moisture.

8. Leave the microwave door open overnight to completely air out any remaining odors.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute 2 tbsp. of pure lemon juice for the chopped lemons.

References

• "Good Housekeeping": Microwave Food Odors
• "Good Housekeeping": How to Get Rid of Popcorn Odor in Microwave
• Utah State University Extension: Odors