How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of Dishwasher?
Is foul burnt plastic smell punching you in the face whenever you try to open the dishwasher? Don’t know how to get the burnt plastic smell out of the dishwasher?
Don’t fret, we have several solutions for you to get rid of this horrible burnt plastic smell from the dishwasher.
Let’s improve your skills in maintaining the dishwasher safely and more efficiently!
How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of Dishwasher?
To get the burnt plastic smell out of the dishwasher, you must figure out the source behind it. More often, plastic dishes get melted due to falling over the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher and producing a burnt plastic smell.
If so, you can apply baking soda, vinegar, or dishwasher deodorizer to get rid of the smell. But if the reason is serious, call a technician.
Discover The Source Of The Smell First
The smell of burnt plastic is quite unique and can be smelled in the air easily. If you smell when the dishwasher is running, stop the cycle right away.
It’s vital to determine that the dishwasher is producing this smell of burnt plastic.
Then find the exact source of the smell inside the dishwasher, which is the first step to solving the issue.
Plastic Dishes And Utensils
A plastic dish and utensil can easily fall from the racks to the heating element and produce a burnt plastic smell.
To check whether it happens or not, look at the dishwasher’s bottom pan.
If it happened, you would find a moderately melted dish there.
Lightweight plastic may also flip out of the racks easily during the cycle due to the water pressure or an agitator may push it.
These plastics may melt if exposed to the high heat at the bottom of the dishwasher and produce a burnt plastic smell even if advertised as dishwasher safe.
New Dishwashers May Emit A Smell
The best practice for using a new dishwasher is to run it for a few cycles while keeping it empty to wash off the smell of its components.
So if you smell your new dishwasher during your very first use, don’t worry. In this case, your task is to make sure all the wrapping plastic has been taken out.
Other Causes Of The Burnt Plastic Smell
Though the earlier causes were easy to solve, the rest of the reasons for smelling burnt plastic can be complicated.
Check the base and the racks of the dishwasher to see whether there are visible burn marks or not. If you find any, it means the heating element is in trouble.
However, the persistent smell indicates something in the internal components has been damaged.
A faulty dishwasher’s element becomes overheated and produces a burnt plastic smell before causing a fire. You should call an expert repairman to solve this issue.
How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of The Dishwasher – 3 Simplest Methods
Whether you run a dishwasher once a day or a week, it can produce a burnt plastic noise for several reasons.
But you can solve this frustrating issue without spending time and money on technicians, especially if you have some handy ingredients in your home.
Following, we have explained the three most effective ways to get the burnt plastic smell out of a dishwasher starting with the baking soda method.
1. How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of The Dishwasher With Baking Soda
Turn Off The Dishwasher
Let the dishwasher complete its wash and dry cycles. Turn off the knob and then open the door of your dishwasher.
Before reaching inside, give the dishwasher enough time to cool off.
Remove The Object That Produces A Burnt Plastic Smell
Possibly, a plastic container or utensil falls on top of the heating element at the dishwasher’s bottom and produces an odor.
While checking the inside of the dishwasher, if you see any plastic object stuck there, lose it using a wooden spoon.
There can be a plastic residue that you can remove using a paper towel.
Empty The Dishwasher
Take everything out of the dishwasher and fill it with baking soda in the soap compartment.
After that set the dishwasher cycle at normal and let it flush away the odor.
Once the wash cycle is completed, open the door of the dishwasher.
If you still smell the burnt plastic odor, place a bowl of baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher overnight.
To prevent any accidents, tape a note on the dishwasher door to alert someone of the baking soda and prevent them from running the dishwasher to clean dishes.
2. How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of The Dishwasher With White Distilled Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most effective cleaning agents as it can remove mold from dishes, brighten up laundry, and freshen almost anything.
So vinegar can be a handy item to fix the dishwasher’s smell.
To get the burnt smell out of the dishwasher, put some vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the wall of the dishwasher.
While you are waiting for five minutes to let the vinegar sit properly, you can decide between two choices. Either you can wipe the vinegar up or let it dry completely.
Wondering if you let it dry, you may have a vinegary smell from the dishwasher. But it won’t, the vinegar odor will dissipate naturally.
Wiping up will be a good decision if you need to remove a stain from the dishwasher along with vinegar.
3. How To Get Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of The Dishwasher With Professional Dishwasher Cleaner
If both the baking soda and vinegar methods fail to get the burnt plastic smell out of the dishwasher, you still have one more technique to be successful.
It may cost you a few bucks, but applying a professional dishwasher cleaner will definitely help you get the burnt plastic odor out of the dishwasher.
Dishwasher cleaners are a handy solution effective for both baking down food residues and refreshing the dishwasher without harm.
But make sure you are applying the best dishwasher cleaners to get the desired performance.
FAQs About Getting Burnt Plastic Smell Out Of The Dishwasher
Is The Burnt Plastic Smell Toxic?
Plastics contain large molecules that can melt and release fumes.
These emit include lots of explosive organic compounds that can cause slight irritation in the nose and eyes.
These fumes won’t kill you right away, but they can cause asthma, lung cancer, or heart disease if you inhale them over time.
So, if you smell burnt plastic, go back and open the windows and door and switch on the fan for ventilation.
How To Prevent The Burning Plastic Smell In The Future?
The best solution to prevent burning plastic in the future is to wash the dishes by hand.
But if you don’t have enough time and prefer a dishwasher, put all the small plastic parts in a dishwashing basket and then place them in the dishwasher.
It will help prevent the plastic dishes from moving around and falling during the wash cycle.
How Long Does The Burnt Plastic Smell Last Before Going Away?
If the burnt plastic smell is strong, it may take up to a few days to leave. However, the odor should be light after a few hours.
Final Words
Experiencing a burnt plastic smell in the dishwasher can be common, especially if you have kids in the house or an irresponsible partner who throws dishes in the dishwasher.
As long as you know how to get the burnt plastic smell out of the dishwasher, there is nothing to worry about.
Still, use a dishwashing basket to save those dishes and prevent odors. If you are unable to find the source of the burnt plastic smell in the dishwasher, call an expert technician.
