You’re busy making dinner or heating up leftovers when the smell of cigarette smoke hits you. Or, maybe you’re cleaning and notice the unpleasant smell coming from your appliance.
Whatever the case, you need to know how to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of the microwave. But why does smoke smell seem to linger in the microwave more than other places?
One reason is that microwaves tend to be small, enclosed spaces. This means that there isn’t a lot of airflow to clear out the smoke particles.
Another reason is that microwaves have a lot of nooks and crannies where smoke particles can hide. Even after you’ve cleaned the inside of your microwave, there may still be some lingering smoke smell.
Thankfully, getting that nasty smell out of your beloved appliance is easier than you think.
Keep on reading to find out more!
Is Smoke Smell in the Microwave harmful?
Cigarette smoke is made up of thousands of chemicals, including more than 70 that are known to cause cancer. When you smoke a cigarette, the chemicals in the smoke attach to surfaces like walls, clothing, furniture, and your hair.
You can’t see or smell these chemicals, but they can linger long after the smoke has cleared. When you heat food in the microwave, the smells from the food can mix with the lingering smells of cigarette smoke and create a new smell. This new smell may be unpleasant, and it can be hard to get rid of.
Cigarette smoke is harmful to both your health and your appliances. When smoke enters your microwave, it leaves a sticky residue behind that can be difficult to remove. This residue can build up over time and cause your microwave to malfunction.
Additionally, the smoke can stain the interior of your microwave, making it difficult to clean. Over time, this smoke residue can build up and become very difficult to remove.
If you’ve noticed a strong smell of cigarette smoke in your microwave, it’s important to clean it as soon as possible. Additionally, the smoke particles can become trapped inside your microwave. Over time, these particles can cause a fire inside your microwave.
How to Get the Smoke Smell Out of the Microwave
Cleaning a microwave thoroughly, including the inside, racks, and exterior door is important. Still, it may not be enough to remove all the smoke smell, particularly if the microwave is old or heavily used.
Here are some tips on what to use:
Vinegar and water
Vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer that can help absorb some smoky particles.
Place a bowl filled with distilled white vinegar inside the microwave oven and set it to run on high for five minutes. The vinegar will help neutralize the smell of smoke and any odors that remain.
Once the microwave has stopped, leave the door closed for at least an hour to allow the vinegar to air out the whole space. Open the door and wipe away any excess vinegar. You can also try placing a damp sponge inside the microwave with a bowl filled with white vinegar.
Close the door and let the microwave run on high for a few minutes, then let it sit with the door closed for an hour.
Baking soda and dish soap
Baking soda is also an effective odor absorber and can help keep your microwave smelling fresh and clean.
Sprinkle baking soda inside the microwave and leave it to sit for an hour or two.
Next, put a bowl filled with a few drops of your favorite dish soap and enough water to cover the baking soda inside the microwave. Close the door again and let the mixture steam and fume for an hour.
Finally, wipe the inside and exterior of the microwave clean with a wet sponge.
Dry Coffee Grounds
Coffee is a great alternative to baking soda for absorbing odors. This will also leave your kitchen smelling like coffee, which isn’t necessarily bad.
You can take a coffee filter and put a couple of tablespoons of coffee grounds in it. Place it in your microwave for 10 minutes. This will help get rid of the smell from the microwave.
Lemon and Orange Peels
Citrus peels are a great and natural way to get rid of cigarette odors. They contain a lot of oils that are great at absorbing smells. You can use the peels of a lemon or orange or even a combination of both to clean your microwave.
To clean your microwave with lemon and orange peels:
- Take the peels of a lemon or orange and slice them into small pieces.
- Place these pieces in a microwave-safe bowl or plate and put it inside the microwave.
- Close the door and let it sit inside the microwave for 30 minutes.
You can also use a combination of lemon and orange peels and vinegar.
Take a bowl and place some sliced pieces of lemons and oranges.
Pour some vinegar into the bowl and let it sit in the microwave for 30 minutes. This will help scrub away the stains from your microwave as well.
Open Windows and Ventilation
You can use a fan or open all your windows to let fresh air in and eliminate the smell in your microwave. If you have the windows open, you can also put a bowl of baking soda outside to absorb the smell. This will help clean the air and help get rid of the smell.
You should also be cautious of the temperature in your home, as extreme cold and hot temperatures can damage the microwave, as well as other appliances.
Keep your kitchen door closed while using the microwave to prevent the smell from spreading to other areas of your home.
Borax, dry cleaning solvent, and ammonia
If the above methods didn’t quite do the trick, you can try sprinkling borax inside the microwave and leaving it to fume for an hour or two.
Next, pour a small bowl of your favorite dry-cleaning solvent, a little ammonia, and enough water to cover the solvents inside the microwave.
Close the door again and let the mixture fume for a few more hours.
Finally, clean the inside and exterior of the microwave with a wet sponge. This should leave the microwave smelling as good as new.
How Can I Prevent the Smoke Smell from Coming Back
The best way is to remove the source of the smoke (stop smoking in your home), but that’s not always possible or practical. If you can’t remove the source of the smoke, your best bet is to try and remove as much of it from the air as possible.
One of the best ways to prevent the smoke smell from returning is to clean your microwave regularly. A clean microwave is a smoke-free microwave.
Wipe down the interior walls and ceiling of your oven with a sponge or microfiber cloth dampened with soapy water at least once a week. If you notice any stubborn spots, apply a little elbow grease and scrub until the marks disappear.
Don’t forget to clean the door gasket, too. This is the rubber seal that goes around the perimeter of the door; if it’s dirty, smoke and odours can seep through.
Use an air freshener. Using an air freshener can prevent cigarette smoke in your home. Air fresheners come in many forms, from plug-ins to sprays to candles.
Experiment with different products until you find one that works well for you and doesn’t trigger any allergies. Some people prefer natural air fresheners, like essential oils diffusers or bowls of potpourri.
Conclusion
Cigarette smoke residue not only leaves a lingering smell but is also extremely unhealthy for anyone who may be exposed to it long term.
You may love to smoke, but the lingering odor from cigarettes can be a problem. The smell of smoke from cigarettes lingers on your clothes, hair, and even your home. Because of the odors, you may feel embarrassed about how others perceive you when they enter your house.
Fortunately, there are many ways to eliminate this unpleasant smell and bring back a fresh aroma in your kitchen. A kitchen is one of the first places people visit when they enter your home. So it’s important that it smells pleasant and welcoming.
Leave a Reply