A dishwasher is an essential appliance in a home, and as much as it lessens the work of washing utensils, it can also cause many problems. The most common issue observed in many homes is having the plastic getting burnt when placed in the dishwasher.
So how can you remove burnt plastic from Dishwasher?
To remove the smell of burnt plastic from the dishwasher, you must first unplug your dishwasher from its power supply, scrape off the burnt plastic, vent the washer, wash the coils using a mixture of water with detergent, and clean the inside of the dishwasher with lemon, baking soda or vinegar, if your model allows the use of vinegar-based detergents.
Yes, mistakes happen, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you find burnt plastic in your dishwasher. However, ensure that it’s not repeated as you may not be so lucky next time.
This article explores why your dishwasher smells like burnt plastic and how to remove the smell. We also provide ways to prevent your Dishwasher from smelling like burnt plastic.
Why Does Your Dishwasher Smell Like Burnt Plastic?
Although it’s safe to wash your plastics in the dishwasher, there is a first time for everything. Therefore, if you have a habit of placing your utensils in the dishwasher, plastics included, you should ensure that the temperature is not too high as it might melt them.
It’s important to note that some plastics have a heat limit, so check this before placing them with the other utensil for a cycle. Even if you find that they can withstand the heat, it’d be wise to put them away from the heating coil; the top shelf would be the ideal place.
As for the thin and flimsy plastics, it’d Be best if you washed them with your hand as the chance of melting or warping is high, rendering them unsafe for your dishwasher and your home at large.
How To Get the Smell of Burnt Plastic Out Of Your Dishwasher
You might be in a hurry to do your dishes and place a thin plastic in the process. And you the moment you open your dishwasher and are hit with a burnt plastic smell. Worse is the smell lingers on your dishwasher and utensils days after. Your only option is to utilize the steps below to eliminate the burnt plastic smell.
1. Unplug and Remove the Dishes
When you find your dishwasher smelling like burnt plastic, the first step is to switch it off and unplug it from the power.
Suppose your dishwasher was pre-installed before you moved in; chances are you won’t find the power cord; check under the sink and if you don’t see it, turn off the main switch.
Then remove all the dishes and leave the door open for a few minutes to allow the melted plastic to cool off. Never touch the coils or try to remove the plastic immediately after turning it off, as they are hot, and you may get your fingers burnt.
You can place ice cubes in plastic and place them near the coils, as it will freeze the plastic, making it easy to remove. Let it rest for about 30 minutes before removing the ice.
2. Scrape Off the Burnt Plastic
After the plastic is frozen, try to peel it off the coils. If it’s not coming off, it would be best to use a non-metal tool to scrape off the plastic. You can use a wooden spoon. And once you have scaped off most of it, wipe it from the surface of the dishwasher.
Make sure to get rid of your wooden spoon. You may be tempted to wash and continue using it, but you will be endangering your life and that of your family. This is because burnt plastic produces chemicals that may be leached onto your wooden spoon.
When you cook with it, the chemicals are transferred to the food, thus posing a health risk to your family.
3. Melt It
In some instances, some plastics may not come off even after all that scraping. Take your hairdryer and melt the plastics on the coil when that happens. Then use heat-resistant gloves and a soft brush to wipe off the melted plastic from the rings.
Make sure to remove all of it and wipe the dishwasher because if any plastic remains, your dishwasher will continue to smell, and the plastic left on the surface may clog up the dishwasher.
4. Apply Nail Polish Remover
After scraping and wiping off the melted plastic, you can remove any remaining bits using nail polish remover. Never apply it directly on the coil. Instead, soak a cloth in the nail polish, then place it on the coils.
The acetone on the remover will dissolve all the remaining plastic. Then take a clean and damp cloth and wipe the coils. Repeat this process till you are sure that all the plastic is gone
5. Wash the Coils
Once you are done, mix water and dish detergent. Then take a clean cloth and wash the coils to remove the nail polish. Then rinse the coils and the dishwasher with clean water.
6. Baking Soda
If you notice a trace of a burnt plastic smell, you can place baking soda in the dishwasher’s detergent compartment. Run it for one cycle. Do this two or three times till the odor is gone.
You can also place a bowl of baking soda in the dishwasher overnight to absorb any remaining odor smell.
If you are not a fan of using homemade cleaning solutions, you can use store-bought cleaning solutions, such as Finish and Lemi Shine.
7. Vinegar
If the burnt plastic odor was too strong and the methods above did not eliminate it completely, you can use vinegar. Apply the same steps as those of baking soda.
The best part is that it will not cause any damage to your dishwasher. However, it’s better to check if your model allows the use of vinegar, as some don’t recommend using vinegar-based detergents.
Lemon can be used as a substitute for vinegar. It might not be as effective but it’s a viable option that’s worth trying.
8. Clean the Filter
Once you clean the coils and eliminate the burnt odor, remember to clean your dishwasher’s filter. All dishwashers have a filter at the bottom for collecting food particles, and they are emptied and cleaned at least once a week.
So after cleaning your coils, some burnt plastic particles may be deposited in the filter, so it would be best to get rid of them. It’s pretty straightforward. Take a paper towel and scoop off the gunk and deposit it into a dustbin
Although plastic particles in the filter will not leave your dishwasher with a burnt plastic smell, they may clog up your dishwasher. This prevents water from flowing out after a cycle; thus, your utensils will become dirty as the food particles and plastic particles get blown up during the wash cycle.
Not only do you ensure your utensils come out clean, but you also get rid of the smelly food particles.
9. Vent Your Dishwasher
Leave your dishwasher door open to let the coils dry up and allow air circulation in the dishwasher.
If the burnt smell has also invaded your kitchen, you can get rid of it by ventilating the room. Open the windows and allow air to circulate.
How do You Remove Burnt Smell from the Utensils
Remember that your utensils also have the same smell after removing the burnt plastic odor from your dishwasher. And this may ruin your sumptuous meal.
You may be tempted to discard them off, but that’s a waste of money.
Take warm water and baking soda, then soak your dishes. Let them stay in the solution for a couple of hours, then rinse them.
If it doesn’t eliminate the odor, soak them in a water and vinegar mixture for one hour, then rinse. Let them dry, and you’ll notice that the smell will be gone entirely.
Should You Be Worried If You Smell Burnt Plastic From the Dishwasher?
Yes, because either you have a plastic burning in your dishwasher, or the motor has issues. So, turn your dishwasher off and investigate the problem.
Burning plastic emit toxic chemicals that are harmful to our health. You may develop respiratory problems, such as asthma or lung irritation, when you breathe these chemicals. In some instances may lead to the development of cancer.
So keep yourself and your family safe by counterchecking every time you place dishes in the dishwasher to avoid having plastic melt and burn.
Can Plastic Burn or Melt In a Dishwasher?
Although it’s safe to wash plastics in a dishwasher, it would be prudent to take note of the temperature. Because under high temperatures, no matter how tough they are, they will eventually melt and burn.
There are plastic dishes that should never be placed in a dishwasher. The thin and flimsy plastics should never see the dishwasher’s door because they will warp and melt even under the lowest temperature.
Therefore, before placing any plastic in a dishwasher, check if it’s dishwasher safe.
Final Thoughts
Although some plastics are dishwasher safe, it would be best to avoid putting any plastic in the dishwasher. This way, you won’t be at risk of having your dishwasher smell like burnt plastic.
However, suppose by accident, a piece of plastic gets lodged in your dishwasher and melted by accident. In that case, you can easily remove the burnt plastic odor following the steps discussed in this post.