The smell in the microwave is one of the most pressing problems in the household, which almost every woman faces. This is not surprising, because with its help you can heat, defrost, and cook food. Modern models have a wider range of actions.
A reasonable question arises: why does the smell appear in the microwave?
There are quite a few reasons for this. The main ones:
- Dirt in the microwave oven.
- Improper use of the device on the farm.
- Poor operation of the fan in the microwave, leading to stagnation of odors in it.
- Cooking foods with strong odors. A particularly enhanced “aroma” in the microwave remains after fish, sausages, and chicken.
- Stagnation of food residues on the walls of the device.
- Burnt food.
How to get rid of an unpleasant odor?
There are many ways to get rid of this problem and each of them is effective in its own way.
Vinegar (vinegar solution)
- You should clean the microwave oven with a vinegar solution. To do this, mix vinegar (9 percent) with water in the same amount. Then use a cloth soaked in the solution to wipe the walls inside the oven. The rag should not be wet - just damp!
- You can also put a cup of vinegar solution in the microwave and turn it on at full power for 7-8 minutes, bringing the solution to a boil.
But at the same time, you need to carefully ensure that the vinegar solution does not leak onto the inner coating of the microwave oven when boiling, otherwise there is a high risk of damage to it.
As a rule, the first method effectively removes odor and in this case there is no point in resorting to the second. The main thing is that the window or window is open during and after the procedure.
Coffee
Coffee has a pleasant aroma and can be used to easily remove any smell: be it the persistent smell of burning or cooked fish. The following simple methods are usually used:
- You need to brew weak ground or instant coffee without adding sugar and wipe the inside of the microwave oven with it using a cloth. Then leave for several hours. Afterwards, be sure to rinse with running water and dry the microwave thoroughly.
- Sprinkle coffee evenly onto a small flat plate and leave it in the microwave for several hours/days.
- Take several small jars, pour coffee into them and leave them in the microwave for several hours or days.
The last two methods are usually used if the owners leave the apartment for a couple of days or do not use the microwave for a long time.
Lemon (citric acid)
Lemon is a product that can usually always be found in any person’s refrigerator. There are many ways to remove odor using lemon or citric acid.
- You need to mix citric acid or lemon juice with water in equal proportions. Then lightly soak a sponge in lemon essence and wipe everything inside the oven.
- Take a saucer or any other container suitable for use in the microwave. Squeeze lemon juice or citric acid into it and place in the oven for no more than half a minute. This procedure usually completely removes all unnecessary odors from the microwave.
- If the above method does not help, then you need to cut the lemon into several slices and put it in a container with water. Then, all this needs to be placed in the microwave for 7 - 10 minutes. After the water boils, reduce the power and leave for another 4 minutes. You can repeat the same action by adding any detergent. After the procedure, it is advisable to leave the microwave oven door open.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a container of water, add lemon zest. Bring to a boil in the microwave for 8-10 minutes. Wait until it cools down. Then remove the container and wipe the inside of the oven with a clean rag or sponge. The door, as with the previous methods, should be left open.
- An equally effective method is the method of “frying” lemon. To do this, cut the lemon into several thin pieces, place it on a plate and turn on the oven at full power, “fry” these pieces for 4-5 minutes. You should not go anywhere at this time. Be sure to carefully monitor the entire process, as the lemon may catch fire.
Soda
You need to take a quarter glass of water, dissolve no more than three teaspoons of soda in it. Stir. Then, using a sponge, apply the resulting “mixture” to the inside of the stove. Let dry. After this, you should repeat the procedure and after an hour the microwave will need to be rinsed with water and dried. Leave the microwave door open.
Salt
A simplified application: pour salt evenly into a plate and leave in the microwave overnight with the door closed. By morning, not a trace of the smell will remain, since the salt acts like coffee.
Toothpaste
You should take regular toothpaste, preferably mint with menthol.
Squeeze a small amount onto a damp sponge and wipe the walls and corners inside the microwave. After a few hours, you need to rinse the oven with warm water and dry it, leaving the door open. Alternatively, you can also add any cleaning agent to the toothpaste.
Activated carbon
This method is best used in the evening. Main ingredient: 9 - 10 tablets of activated carbon.
Method: crush the sorbent to a powder, pour the “mixture” onto a flat surface and leave in the oven for several hours.
Special means
There are many different odor control products that can be purchased in supermarkets. The main ones that are popular among the people are:
- Special odor absorbers. For that. To use them, you just need to carefully read the instructions and strictly follow them.
- Spray for cleaning ovens “Shumanit”. The most popular and inexpensive remedy. Instructions for use: put gloves on your hands, apply this product to the entire inside of the microwave and leave overnight. In the morning, wash everything thoroughly.
- Dishwashing detergents. The easiest way is to clean the inside of the microwave. You can add acetic or citric acid to it. Afterwards, thoroughly rinse and dry the microwave oven.
Prevention of odor
Knowing the causes of unpleasant odors, you can prevent their occurrence in the future by following a number of the following rules:
- After each use of the microwave oven, you need to keep the door open so that the smell of food has time to evaporate from there.
- You can also leave a piece of black bread inside the microwave for the whole night or a couple of hours. It absorbs all foreign odors well.
- When heating food, be sure to use a special plastic lid. It is not expensive and at the same time prevents grease from splashing on the walls of the oven.
- The main rule is to clean your microwave oven as often as possible.
By following these simple recommendations, you can easily and quickly get rid of the problem of odor in the microwave.
