Remove Oven Odours with These Easy Natural Hacks
Is your oven smelling so badly that you are not able to enjoy the cooking space? The oven is not all that bad, until the smell of burnt food just wafts out of the oven time and time again. Odour removal for your microwave can be simple, but at times overly complex, depending on whether or not one wants to use vinegar as the washing agent.
How do you get rid of those unwanted smells without scrubbing for hours and without using harsh chemicals? The good news is: it’s easier than you think! Here at this blog, we will tell you easy, effective, and natural ways for microwave cleaning. Whether it’s daily maintenance or deep cleaning, these techniques will make your microwave smell fresh and clean. Ready to eliminate unpleasant odours?
What Odours Do Microwaves Hold On To
The microwave works by heating moisture in food; in the process, it can cause splattering, steaming, and even spilling, which gets trapped in the appliance, as per Bond Cleaning Toowoomba. If left unattended for a duration, food remains get stuck on the walls and the roof of the microwave, providing a sticky surface for unpleasant odours. The combination of an enclosed space and heat helps the smells in. Regular use of the device without sufficient airing and cleaning makes dirt accumulate; these odours will eventually add up to make an unpleasant, pungent smell that is difficult to endure.
Step 1: Preliminary Cleanup
First things first, give your microwave a clean in advance of tackling the odours. Take out the turntable first and wash it in warm, soapy water. Wipe off the microwave interior with a damp cloth or sponge, including its ceiling and walls. It usually requires passing the bowl-water mixture through heating for a minute or two in case of stubborn splatters. The steam generated will loosen bad grime, and its consequences will be simpler to wipe away plus without any damage to the microwave interior.
Ensure that you clean the door too, especially the rubber gasket on the edge. Those pesky hidden spots often cling onto odours, so do not forget to wipe them as well.
Step 2: Steam Clean Using Natural Ingredients
Odours in the microwave can be eliminated using simple kitchen items by steam cleaning. Here are three recommended approaches:
1. Water and Lemon Method
Slice a lemon into halves. Put both halves into a microwave-safe bowl half-filled with water. Heat on “high” power for 3-5 minutes, then allow it to rest for 5 minutes without opening the microwave door. The steam will dislodge food particles, while oil from the lemon will counteract odours. Do wipe the microwave dry with a clean cloth afterwards.
2. Water and Vinegar Method
Combine equal amounts of vinegar with water in any microwave-safe bowl. Heat for
about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the steam to fill the oven’s interior. Vinegar is
particularly effective at neutralising strong, lingering smells like burnt popcorn or
fish. The door must be left closed for a few minutes before surfaces can be wiped
down.
3. Baking Soda Method
Baking soda will help avoid the unpleasant vinegar smell. Place two tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl of water and zap for three minutes. Baking soda is a natural deodoriser which absorbs and neutralises odours without leaving a scent.
Step 3: Cracking the Microwave Door Open
Microcleaning makes steam cleaning seem like a breeze, and wiping everything down is a piece of cake, so hop right on, leaving the microwave door wide open for no less than 30 minutes. Parts of the microwave which have steam need to cool down, and keeping the door ajar helps foster cooling and vaporisation. Keeping the door open, like a window gate, periodically assists in odour prevention, particularly for well-used microwaves.
If the microwave sits sealed in a corner cupboard, a small fan placed outside the countertop can work wonders in moving air and circulating the closed air space.
Step 4: Leaving Ample Time for Smell Removal
To counter lingering stubborn smells, place an open vessel with one of these below in the device and let it sit overnight.
- Soda Bicarbonate: To get rid of unpleasant odours, place spoonfuls of this in small decorative bowls, reasonably sized vessels, or even bigger mugs without handles.
- Activated Charcoal: You can get this from your nearest pet shop or wherever they sell gardening products. It’s popular due to its power to absorb all kinds of smells.
- Coffee Grounds: Dried or used coffee grounds both act as deodorisers.
By the next morning, your microwave will be smelling much fresher. Just don’t forget to remove the bowl before your next visit!
Step 5: Clean the Exterior as Well as the Vents
Sometimes, the smell can grip the touchpad and the outside surfaces of the microwave, and even the vents. Thus, clean the outer shell with warm, soapy water and a cotton swab or soft brush to clean around the vents and buttons.
Though this step may feel incidental, it will definitely keep the unit odour-free, especially in warmer seasons. Apart from hygiene, it enhances the overall look of the kitchen.
Preventing Odours in the Future
- Now that the microwave smells clean. Here are a few things one should do to prevent odour retention:
- Cover food using a microwaveable lid or paper towel to prevent splashes.
- After employing the device in cooking, wash it properly as dry stains are harder to clean.
- It is better to leave the door slightly ajar after cooking to enable moisture to escape rapidly.
- Conduct weekly scrubs using lemon or vinegar for maintenance.
- Avoid aggressively scented foods like fish or curry being microwaved unless stored in a good, sealed container.
Taking some precautionary steps can reduce, if not eliminate, offensive microwave smells.
Conclusion: Freshness is under a Few Steps Away
As odorous as the microwave may seem, it is manageable with an appropriate technique. An effective cleaning regimen supplemented with natural steam treatments and proper use will help keep your microwave fresh-smelling. No need to breathe forcibly while opening the microwave door, or bringing yesterday’s dinner aroma into your cup of tea.
Which one are you going to attempt first, then? Baking soda, vinegar, or lemon? However you choose to do it, a cleaner microwave is just steps away. No more mysterious smells, and a pleasant functioning and smelling kitchen apparatus is within reach.
Also learn about Recognising the Five Essential Elements of Successful Cleaning