How to Remove Smells After a Microwave Fire

Overcooking food in a microwave results in the food burning and an increase chance of a fire starting. Microwave fires fill the small appliance with a troublesome odor that lasts long after you put the fire out. This odor also affects other items cooked in the microwave while drifting into the air of surrounding areas. All-purpose cleaners may remove the soot from the fire, but they do little to eliminate the smoke odor.

Things You'll Need

White vinegar or lemon juice
Microwave-safe bowl
Sponge

Paper towels
Baking soda

Instructions

- 1
  Pour white vinegar at full strength in a microwave-safe bowl. Alternatively, use a 50-50 ratio of lemon juice to water.
- 2
  Place the liquid-filled bowl in the microwave, and close the door. Microwave the liquid on high for 10 minutes. As the liquid boils, it will fill the microwave with steam, which will eliminate the smoke odors while loosening any stuck-on grime.
- 3
  Allow the bowl to sit in the microwave for 15 minutes after it finishes cooking. Then, take the bowl out of the microwave, and dampen a sponge in the vinegar or lemon juice mixture.
- 4
  Wipe the inside of the microwave with the damp sponge. Let the mixture air-dry before wiping with paper towels dampened with cool water.
- 5
  Sprinkle baking soda over a clean sponge damp with water. Scrub the inside of the microwave with the sponge if any odors remain, and rinse the baking soda off with damp paper towels.

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