How to Remove Odor From Microwave Cabinets

A smelly microwave makes an otherwise clean kitchen smell dirty.

The tightly sealed inner cabinet, or cooking area, of a microwave is notorious for holding onto unpleasant odors. Although it might seem difficult to burn food in the microwave, it happens, resulting in less-than-fresh odors every time you open the microwave door. Similar to other kitchen appliances, microwaves benefit from regular cleaning. Cleaning your microwave to remove odors makes the appliance more appealing to use, helping you to avoid a smelly kitchen each time you cook.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge
• White vinegar
• Clean cloths
• Microwavable bowl
• 1/2 lemon
• Knife
• 4 whole cloves

Instructions

1. Remove the rotating microwave plate from the microwave. Wash it off with undiluted vinegar and a sponge to remove stains and odors. Rinse the plate with water and dry with a clean cloth. Set the plate aside.

2. Wash the inside of the microwave with a sponge dampened with vinegar. Rinse the sponge, as needed, to wash away food and grease removed from the inside of the microwave. Dry the inside of the microwave with a clean cloth, without wiping the vinegar off the surface. Place the rotating microwave plate back in the microwave.

3. 

   Lemons freshen and deodorize.

   Combat remaining unpleasant odors in the microwave with a natural deodorizing mixture. Pour 1 cup of water into a microwavable bowl. Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh lemon and four whole cloves. Microwave the solution for 10 to 15 minutes, on the "High" setting, to bring it to a boil.

4. Remove the bowl, carefully, from the microwave. Leave the microwave door propped open for three to five hours to air out the inside and allow the lemon and clove scent to freshen the rest of the kitchen.

Tips & Warnings

• Air circulation is important ridding your microwave of bad smells. After burning something in the microwave, leave the door open to let the inside air out.

• Promptly wipe splatters and spills out of your microwave to avoid accumulation of food that causes odors.

References

• Good Housekeeping; How to Get Rid of Popcorn Odor in Microwave; Heloise
• Apartment Therapy; How to Clean the Microwave; September 2008
• Mother Earth News; You Don't Need Borax: Simple, Natural Nontoxic Cleaning Ingredients; Robyn Griggs Lawrence; February 2011
• University of Kentucky Odor; What's That Smell?; Linda R. Adler; January 1997