There’s nothing quite like opening the microwave and being hit with the lingering smell of last night’s fish, burnt popcorn or whatever else has made its way inside. Fortunately, learning how to get rid of bad smells from your microwave is quick and easy, and you probably already have everything you need.
With a little steam, a few simple household ingredients and a good wipe-down, you can freshen up your microwave and tackle those stubborn odours at the source. Here’s how to get rid of bad smells from your microwave, deodorise and keep it smelling fresh between cleans.
Step-by-step guide
Even with a regular cleaning routine, your microwave might still suffer from bad smells. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can get it back to smelling fresh – neutral at best.
What you’ll need:
- A container filled with warm, soapy water
- Clean microfibre cloth
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Water
- Fresh lemon, or 1/4 cup of bottled lemon juice or distilled white vinegar
1. Wipe down the microwave
Using a microfibre cloth and warm, soapy water, wipe down the exterior of the microwave first. Make sure the back panel is cleared of dust buildup. Rinse the cloth before moving into the interior. Wipe every interior panel, ensuring any food particles or spills are removed. Don’t forget the top panel! This is where most of the spills and food particles end up during use. If left uncleaned, the buildup and warm environment that the microwave creates will start to smell.
2. Remove the tray
Remove the tray from the microwave. Wipe any crumbs or spills that may have collected underneath. Then, wash it with warm soapy water, and thoroughly dry it before replacing it.
3. Deodorising time
Whether you’ve managed to wipe down all the spills and stains, or you’re left with stubborn ones, it’s always a good idea to regularly deodorise the microwave. This not only rids it of foul smells, but also keeps the inside panels clean and hygienic – preventing harmful bacterial growth.
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water (about half to three-quarters full). Add fresh lemon juice (about the amount from one fresh lemon) to the bowl; you can even add the lemon to the bowl, too. If you don’t have any fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice or vinegar will work too.
Close the door and run the microwave on high for two minutes. Carefully remove the bowl afterwards (use a cloth; it’s going to be super hot). Then, dampen a microfibre cloth with warm water and a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and wipe away any water droplets and leftover residue. Finally, wipe with a dry microfibre cloth to mop up any excess moisture.
How to keep it smelling fresh in between cleaning
You might not be able to clean your microwave after each use, but there are ways you can keep it smelling fresh:
- If it really smells and you don’t have more than 5 minutes, wipe the interior down with a microfibre cloth dampened with hot water and vinegar
- Keep the door ajar after each use (moisture not only traps heat but also encourages bacterial and mould growth, all leading to foul smells)
- Fill a small bowl with vanilla essence or a mixture of water and vinegar. After every use, keep the bowl inside to absorb any unwanted smells
