How to get rid of fish smell in microwave
Nothing spoils a freshly cooked meal quite like the lingering odour of fish in your microwave. If you’ve ever cooked fish in your microwave, you know how stubborn the smell can be. However, with a little effort and these simple tips, you can easily eliminate that unwanted fishy odour and enjoy a fresh-smelling microwave once again.
First and foremost, ensure safety: Before attempting to remove the fish smell, make sure your microwave is unplugged and cool. This is essential for your safety.
1. Clean the interior: To start, remove any food particles left in the microwave. Mix a solution of equal parts water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and place it inside the microwave. Heat the mixture on high power for a few minutes until it boils. Then, leave it inside the microwave with the door closed for about 10-15 minutes. The steam and vinegar will help loosen and neutralize the fish odour.
2. Deodorize the odour: After removing the vinegar mixture, take a fresh lemon and cut it in half. Squeeze the juice from both halves into a microwave-safe bowl and add a cup of water. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high power for a few minutes until the mixture boils. Leave it inside the microwave for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the lemon-scented steam to neutralize the fish smell.
3. Wipe down the microwave: After the lemon mixture has done its magic, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the interior. Pay close attention to the areas where any residue or fish oil may have splattered. Rinse the cloth or sponge frequently to ensure you’re not spreading any fishy residue around.
By following these simple steps, you can easily banish the fish smell from your microwave and be left with a fresh and clean-smelling appliance ready for your next cooking adventure. Remember to always clean up after cooking fish to prevent unpleasant odours in the future!
Tips for Removing Fish Odor from Your Microwave
Fish is delicious, but it can leave a lingering smell in your microwave. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for removing fish odor from your microwave. Follow these tips to get your microwave smelling fresh and clean again:
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1. Lemon Juice Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for two minutes. Let the steam from the bowl penetrate the inside of the microwave for five minutes. Then, carefully remove the bowl and wipe the interior with a clean cloth. The lemon juice will neutralize the fish odor and leave a refreshing scent. |
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2. Vinegar Fill a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of white vinegar. Heat the bowl in the microwave on high for five minutes. Keep the microwave door closed for an additional ten minutes to allow the vinegar steam to remove the fish odor. Afterward, open the microwave and wipe down the interior with a damp cloth. The vinegar will eliminate the fish smell and leave your microwave smelling clean. |
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3. Baking Soda In a microwave-safe bowl, mix half a cup of water with two tablespoons of baking soda. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for three minutes. Allow the mixture to sit for five minutes before opening the microwave door. Using a cloth, wipe down the interior of the microwave. The baking soda will absorb the fish odor, leaving your microwave smelling fresh again. |
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4. Coffee Grounds If you have coffee grounds on hand, place a few tablespoons in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the bowl in the microwave on high for one minute. The coffee grounds will absorb the fish odor and leave a pleasant coffee aroma behind. Wipe down the interior of the microwave with a clean cloth to remove any residual fish smell. |
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5. Vanilla Extract In a microwave-safe bowl, mix one teaspoon of vanilla extract with one cup of water. Heat the bowl in the microwave on high for two minutes. Keep the microwave door closed for an additional five minutes to allow the vanilla steam to neutralize the fish odor. Wipe down the interior of the microwave with a cloth to remove any remaining odor. The vanilla extract will leave a pleasant scent that masks the fish smell. |
Remember to always clean your microwave after cooking fish to prevent the odor from lingering. By using these simple tricks, you can easily eliminate the fish odor and keep your microwave smelling fresh for all your future cooking needs.
Clean the Interior
To clean the interior of your microwave, start by removing any loose debris. Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the walls, ceiling, and floor of the microwave. Then, mix a solution of equal parts water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for several minutes, until the solution boils and steams. This will help loosen any stuck-on food particles and eliminate odors.
After the bowl has cooled, carefully remove it from the microwave and wipe down the interior with the cloth or sponge. Pay close attention to areas that are stained or have lingering smells. For stubborn stains, you can make a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a damp cloth.
Once you have removed all the stains and odors, rinse the cloth or sponge thoroughly and wring out any excess water. Use the damp cloth to wipe down the interior of the microwave one final time. This will remove any remaining residue and ensure that your microwave is clean and fresh-smelling.
Finally, leave the microwave door open for a few hours to allow any remaining odors to dissipate. You can also place a box of baking soda or a dish of coffee grounds inside the microwave to absorb any lingering smells. With regular cleaning and maintenance, you can keep your microwave smelling fresh and free from fishy odors.
Remove and Clean the Turntable
One of the main areas where fish smell can linger in the microwave is on the turntable, so it’s important to remove and clean it thoroughly.
Follow these steps to remove and clean the turntable:
| Step | Instructions |
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| Step 1 | Make sure the microwave is unplugged or turned off for safety. |
| Step 2 | Check if the turntable is removable. Some microwave models have removable turntables, while others do not. If yours is removable, carefully lift it straight up and out of the microwave. If not, skip to Step 4. |
| Step 3 | Wash the turntable in warm, soapy water. Use a dishcloth or sponge to remove any residue or odor. Rinse it thoroughly and let it air dry before placing it back in the microwave. |
| Step 4 | If the turntable is not removable, wipe it down with a damp cloth or sponge soaked in warm, soapy water. Pay special attention to any areas with residue or odor. Rinse the cloth or sponge frequently and continue wiping until the turntable is clean. |
By removing and cleaning the turntable, you will eliminate one of the main sources of fish odor in the microwave. Make sure to dry it completely before putting it back in the microwave to avoid any moisture buildup.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can help absorb and neutralize fish odors in the microwave. Here’s how you can use baking soda to get rid of the fish smell:
- Start by placing a small microwave-safe bowl or cup filled with water inside the microwave.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to the water, depending on the severity of the smell.
- Optional: You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar to enhance the deodorizing effect.
- Place the bowl with the mixture in the microwave and heat it on high for 2-5 minutes, until it starts to boil and create steam.
- Once the microwave has finished running, leave the door closed for a few minutes to allow the steam to circulate and penetrate the interior.
- Open the microwave door and carefully remove the bowl of water using oven mitts or a potholder.
- Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the interior of the microwave, paying special attention to any areas with stubborn smells.
- Repeat the process if needed until the fish smell is completely gone.
Baking soda is an effective odor absorber and can also help eliminate any lingering smells. Keep the microwave door open for a while after cleaning to let any remaining odors dissipate. Regularly cleaning your microwave and using this method whenever there are strong smells can help prevent any unpleasant odors from accumulating over time.
Try Lemon Solution
One effective way to eliminate fish smell from your microwave is by using lemon solution. Lemons have a natural fresh scent that can help to neutralize odors.
- Cut a lemon in half.
- Squeeze the juice from both halves into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add about half a cup of water to the bowl.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for about 3 minutes.
- After heating, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave using oven mitts or a towel.
- Wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge or cloth soaked in the lemon solution.
- Rinse the sponge or cloth thoroughly and wipe down the microwave again to remove any residue.
- Leave the microwave door open for a while to allow any remaining odors to dissipate.
- Dispose of the lemon solution and rinse the bowl.
This lemon solution not only gets rid of fish smell but also leaves a refreshing citrus scent. It is a natural and cost-effective way to deodorize your microwave.
Use Vinegar and Water Mixture
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can help neutralize strong odors, including fish smell. To remove the fish smell from your microwave, follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl or cup. For example, you can use 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water.
Step 2: Microwave the Mixture
Place the bowl or cup containing the vinegar and water mixture in the microwave. Run the microwave on high power for about 5 minutes or until the mixture boils and creates steam.
Step 3: Let it Sit
After the microwave has finished running, do not open the door immediately. Leave the mixture inside for a few more minutes to allow the steam to penetrate and loosen the fish smell.
Step 4: Wipe Clean
Carefully remove the bowl or cup from the microwave using oven mitts, as it will be hot. Take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe the interior surfaces of the microwave, including the walls, ceiling, and turntable. The vinegar and water mixture will help eliminate the fish smell and any other lingering odors.
Note: If the fish smell still persists, you may need to repeat these steps or try a stronger vinegar concentration. Additionally, make sure to ventilate your kitchen area by opening windows or using a fan to help dissipate any remaining odors.
By using a vinegar and water mixture, you can effectively eliminate the fish smell from your microwave and create a fresh and odor-free environment for your cooking needs.
Freshen Up with Citrus Peel
One natural and refreshing way to eliminate fish smell from your microwave is to use citrus peels. The natural oils in citrus peels are great for absorbing odors and leaving a fresh scent behind.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Start by cutting a citrus fruit, such as lemon or orange, into quarters. Make sure to remove any seeds.
- Place the cut citrus peels in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add a cup of water to the bowl.
- Heat the mixture in the microwave on high for about two minutes or until it starts to boil.
- Leave the bowl in the microwave for a few more minutes to allow the citrus peels to release the oils and absorb the smell.
- After that, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and discard the contents.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior of the microwave to remove any remaining fish smell.
By using citrus peels, you not only get rid of the unpleasant fish smell but also fill your kitchen with a fresh and uplifting citrus scent. It’s an easy and natural way to freshen up your microwave.
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