Doesn’t it feel nasty when you enter your kitchen and smells disgusting like a dead animal? Of course, it does! Well, that isn’t pleasant, but unfortunately, it happens in many kitchens. Why is that so? Most of the time, the smell of a dead animal, especially a dead mouse, comes out of your kitchen because of the microwave. Now the question arises why microwave gives off such an unpleasant smell compared to the dead animal. There are many reasons behind it, but the most common one is the excessive use of a microwave. For example, if you frequently heat up or cook meat in the microwave, there is a good chance that it will produce a weird smell. Let’s dig in more!
Reasons why the microwave smells like a dead animal?
You must be wondering about other reasons that make microwaves smell bad. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! This article will discuss some important things about microwaves, including the reasons behind the dead animal smell and how to get rid of these unpleasant smells. Let’s get started!
Filthy microwave:
Everything requires proper maintenance and cleaning, especially regarding food; hygiene should be the top priority. Sometimes, when the microwave is not cleaned regularly, there is a high chance that grease and food particles accumulate in it and cause a very bad smell. Take proper care of hygiene and cleanliness if you want to get rid of a smelly microwave.
Old or mouldy food:
Does it ever happen to you that you forget to take out the food from your microwave even after the timer goes off? Well, it’s not something new! But the problem is that if you leave any food item in the microwave for such a long time, there are high chances that it can get rotten or mouldy. As we know, rotten food has a very stinky smell, which could be why your microwave smells like a dead animal.
Hence, if you are planning to microwave any food item that has been stored in your refrigerator for a long time, it is suggested to throw it out rather than consume it. Also, get your microwave repaired as soon as possible in such conditions before it gets worse.
Magnetron failure:
Have you ever seen sparks in your microwave when you heat up or cook food? Yes, it is possible! Now you must be wondering what the reason behind it is. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Whenever the magnetron of the microwave fails, sparks are the indication. The magnetron functions to produce the microwaves required to cook food. If the magnetron stops working, there will be a foul smell indicating that the microwave isn’t working properly.
Microwaving meat frequently:
Most of you like to consume meat almost two to three times a week. Who wants to spend hours around the stove in the extreme heat when the microwave is there? No one! But, excessive heating or cooking of meat in the microwave is not recommended. When you heat up or cook the meat in the microwave, a few specific chemicals are released that cause a very unpleasant smell.
Why is that so? The air has a huge variety of particles, and when the microwave omits those certain chemicals, the particles combine with them and give off an acrid smell. Hence, avoid microwaving meat in your microwave so frequently.
Dead mouse:
While it might seem odd to you, the possibility is quite common. Sometimes when you smell something quite pungent from your microwave, it could signify that any dead animal is present in it. In most cases, it is a dead mouse. Mice can easily crawl into little spots to find food, and microwaving is nothing challenging for them. However, once they reach there, chances are that it can die.
Even though it is extremely gross, the possibility is certain. So, whenever you smell something like a dead mouse from your microwave, always check by opening it carefully and removing the mouse from there. Afterward, clean the microwave thoroughly to use it again. Also, if you hesitate while removing the mouse, you can ask for help by contacting any professional pest control company.
Decomposed food:
This reason is not as common as mentioned above, but it can be the culprit in some conditions. If you move into a new house, it is evident that it has been closed for a long time. In that case, the decomposed food particles can be the reason. When a microwave has been left over with spills in burnt food for a very long time, it is obvious that it will give off a very bad smell.
How to get rid of the dead animal smell from your microwave:
The first thing you should do when the microwave smells like a dead animal is not to panic! Not only a few but there are a variety of ways that can help you to remove this gross smell. But before looking for these ways, you should know exactly the reason behind the smell. Once you know the source of the smell, you are ready to choose the best yet simplest way to get rid of it. For example, if the reason is burnt plastic, it means you will have to take a serious step by replacing the microwave. However, due to leftover food particles, all you have to do is clean the microwave with soapy water.
Here, we will discuss some of the common yet easy-to-understand ways that will not only help you get rid of the gross smell but also maintain the overall quality and hygiene of the microwave. Have a look!
Baking soda paste:
Baking soda paste is known for getting rid of nasty smells from the microwave for a long time. Moreover, it deals with grease build-ups as well. All you have to do is take an equal amount of water and baking soda, then mix it to make the paste. Apply it to the dirty area, and wipe it out after several hours. Then rinse that specific region with hot water for thorough cleaning.
Order eliminator spray:
Today, a wide range of order-eliminating sprays are available in the market that is specially manufactured to eliminate lingering adores. This method involves cleaning the microwave overall and then spraying it in the microwave.
Air purifier:
Just like the air purifier is used to remove bad odours from your house, it can also be used in the microwave. But it is recommended to clean the microwave properly before applying this method.
Vinegar water:
Vinegar water is also one of the best methods to neutralize any smell; you must mix the vinegar and water and soak a sponge. Then wipe out all the dirty areas of the microwave using that sponge, which will work like magic.
Lemon:
Lemon is one of those miraculous natural ingredients used for multiple purposes and has plenty of benefits. The first thing that lemon does to deal with the dirty or smelly microwave is removing all the splatters and stains with its acidic nature. Moreover, it can eliminate the smell by following some very easy steps.
You must cut the lemon into a few slices and soak them in a water bowl. Then place the bowl in the microwave and turn it on for 5 minutes at a high temperature. Let the bowl rest in the microwave for some time, and the microwave will smell better.
Coffee:
Despite being a phenomenal drink, coffee can also be used for other purposes. Yes, right! You can use coffee to eliminate gross adores from your microwave. All you have to do is take the equal parts of water and coffee grounds and mix them. Apply the paste to the filthy areas, and wipe it out with a clean cloth after some time. Use clean water to rinse the microwave afterward. All the smell will go; also, the microwave looks clean, thanks to the abrasive properties of the coffee.
Conclusion:
The microwave smells bad, but there must be a dark reason behind it. Whether it’s about the unhygienic environment or there could be a technical issue. All you have to do is find the reason behind it and use a suitable method to eliminate the smell or simply neutralize it using some citrus fruits.
So now hopefully you know in detail why microwave smells like dead animal and what you can do to fix this problem.
