Prep first
Before you start
- Switch the microwave off and empty it of any dishes, food and loose burnt bits.
- Look at the plug, cord and outlet, and if you see sparks or smell an electrical burn, deal with that first.
- Take out the turntable and set it aside so you can wipe underneath it.
- Have your cloths, bowl and cleaning ingredients ready before you start the steam.
Burnt food smell clings to the inside of a microwave, and burnt popcorn is one of the hardest to shake. Before you clean, check whether the smell is from food or from the appliance itself. Sparks, a hot outlet or a burning plastic odor point to an electrical problem, not a cleaning job.
Most burnt food smells clear up with a deep clean of the microwave and a few hours of airing out. Burnt popcorn smell can take several days, so expect a stubborn one to need more than a single round. Work through the steps in order, and don't skip the drying.
8 items
What you'll need
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- Microwave-safe bowlHolds the water for the steam rounds.
- Soft clothWipes the walls, ceiling and door seal without leaving lint behind. (opens Amazon)
- Microfiber clothGives a dry final wipe after the rinse. (opens Amazon)
- Dish soapA little in water loosens the grime in the wipe-down. (opens Amazon)
- White vinegar or lemon juiceThe acid in either helps neutralize smells in the steam round. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaAn open box is left in the microwave overnight for stubborn smells. (opens Amazon)
- Wooden skewer or chopstickGoes in the container for the stronger soak.
- Vanilla extract, teabags or lemon juiceUsed in the stronger soak when the smell lingers. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 65 minutes
Check for sparks and loose debris
Look inside the cavity, along the walls and around the door seal, for sparks, arcing or loose burnt pieces. If you see arcing or sparking with an electrical odor, stop the microwave and check for metal such as twist ties. Then remove the loose burnt pieces by hand and wipe away any crumbs.
Careful. Stop and unplug the microwave if the plug, cord or outlet shows burning.
Step 2 of 63 to 4 minutes
Steam the grime loose
Pour 1 cup of water into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 3 to 4 minutes, until the hot water steams and loosens the grime. Keep the door shut for at least 15 minutes, then wipe out the moisture with a dry cloth.
Tip. The steam does the softening, so hold off on scrubbing until the wipe-down.
Step 3 of 65 minutes
Wipe the interior with soapy water
Dip a soft cloth in water with a little dish soap, then wipe the walls, ceiling, door seal and turntable. Work in sections so the grime lifts instead of spreading across the walls.
Tip. Rinse the cloth often so you aren't wiping grime back on.
Careful. Don't use spray cleaners or cleaners with ammonia or alcohol; they can damage the appearance of the interior.
Step 4 of 62 to 5 minutes
Neutralize the smell with acid steam
Heat 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice for 2 to 5 minutes to help neutralize smells. Wipe the interior clean with a soft cloth once the steam has settled.
Tip. Lemon juice can stand in for the vinegar here.
Step 5 of 6
Absorb what's left overnight
If the smell is still there, leave an open box of baking soda inside the microwave overnight. In the morning, check the smell with the door open before you move on.
Tip. Empty the box before you use the microwave again.
Step 6 of 62 to 3 hours
Rinse, dry and air out
Rinse a cloth in clean water and wipe the interior again to remove the soap and any baking soda. Then leave the door open for 2 to 3 hours so the microwave can air out.
Tip. Finish with a dry microfiber cloth so no moisture stays on the walls or door seal.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Plain dish soap, white vinegar and a box of baking soda cover everything in this job. Keep a bottle of vanilla extract or a box of teabags on hand for the stronger soak.
OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant Concentrate
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on burnt smell, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The interior should look clean, with no grime on the walls, door seal or turntable, and it should smell neutral with the door open. Make sure it's fully dry before you cook in it. If there's still a burnt odor or any wet spots, wipe the interior again and give it more airing time.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for what burned
Burnt popcorn
Popcorn is a dry, starchy food that burns more easily than most, so watch it closely from the first pop. Burned popcorn is one of the extreme odors that can take several days to wear away.
For a stubborn popcorn smell, heat 6 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 cup of water on high for 2 to 3 minutes, then wipe out the moisture with a dry cloth. Expect the smell to fade over days rather than in one round, and repeat the steam if it lingers.
Electrical or plastic burning smell
Electrical burning often smells like burning plastic, and it can point to a serious electrical problem. Warning signs include a hot outlet, a discolored cover, flickering lights, and popping or sizzling sounds.
If you notice any of these, stop using the appliance and have a technician check the outlet and wiring before anything else. Treat it as a safety issue, not a cleaning job, because the smell alone can't tell you how serious it is.
Strong or lingering odor
When the smell hangs on after the steps, use a stronger soak. Put two cups of water with vanilla extract, lemon juice or teabags in a microwave-safe container with a wooden skewer or chopstick.
Heat on high for five minutes or until boiling, then let it stand for 10 to 30 minutes without opening the door. Repeat if needed, since extreme odors can take more than one round.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Clean up spatters and spills as soon as they happen, before they bake on. Run the deep clean again whenever a burnt smell returns, rather than letting it build up.
When you make popcorn, stay close and watch it, since dry, starchy foods burn the fastest. Wipe the interior after each steam round so no moisture is left sitting inside.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Several common household products come up for burnt smell, but only some of them belong in the microwave. Here is how each one fares for this job.
Works4Skip2Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't put foil or metal in the microwave
Keep aluminum foil, metal objects and containers with gold or silver rims out of the microwave at all times, since metal can spark. Metal is one of the first things to check when there's sparking, so keep it out from the start.
Don't ignore a burning smell
Don't ignore a burning odor or waste time searching for the cause. Electrical smells can point to a serious problem, so act on them before you spend more time cleaning.
Don't expect one round to finish it
Extreme odors like burned popcorn may take several days to wear away. Repeat the steam and airing steps before you decide the smell is staying.
Don't use the microwave before it's dry
Leave the door open for 2 to 3 hours after the rinse so the interior can dry and air out. Check for any damp spots first, and wipe them up before you cook.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell comes back a few days later
Look for leftover burnt bits in the corners, door seal and turntable, since a missed spot can keep the smell going. Clean those spots, then leave the door open for 2 to 3 hours and run the overnight baking soda step again.
The burnt smell is still strong after several days
Extreme odors like burned popcorn can take several days to wear away, so this may simply be the normal timeline. Repeat the stronger soak, then keep the door open afterward so it can air out.
A sticky film or wet spots remain after drying
Wipe the interior again with a little dish soap in water, and rinse the cloth often. Wipe until the surface is clear, then dry it fully before you use the microwave.
When to call a professional
If the smell is electrical or chemical rather than food, have a technician check the microwave before you use it again. If you smell burning you can't explain, dial 911 and ask for the fire department, and evacuate for light smoke or burning smells.
Questions
Does a scorched pan or oven need the same steps?
The steps here are built for the microwave, so they don't directly cover a pan or oven. Clean the burnt surface first, then open the windows and let the kitchen air out.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar?
Yes, lemon juice works in the acid steam in place of vinegar. It also works in the stronger soak with vanilla extract or teabags.
Will the burnt smell go away on its own?
Extreme odors like burned popcorn may take several days to wear away, so don't judge the result after one round. Removing the burnt bits first is the step that matters most.
Is dish soap safe to use inside the microwave?
Yes, when you use just a little in water for the wipe-down. It should never be mixed with bleach.
How do I know the smell is from the microwave and not the room?
Open the microwave door and smell the inside after the steam and airing steps. If the interior smells clean but the room still smells burnt, look for another source and rule out electrical problems first.
Is it safe to use the microwave again after cleaning?
Yes, once the interior is clean and dry, the smell is gone, and no sparks or electrical odor has appeared. Leave the door open for 2 to 3 hours after the rinse before you cook in it.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.