A burning plastic smell is easily recognizable and concerning. The source must be found to eliminate it and protect your home. It can be caused by a plastic utensil on a hot stove or faulty electrical wiring. Some causes are easy to fix and the smell can be removed quickly, while others need professional attention. Learn about the common causes, how to fix them and when to call a professional or 911 to protect your home.
We also share tips for preventing the foul smell by scheduling regular cleanings and servicing appliances and fixtures. Additionally, we provide tips for removing lingering burning plastic smells. Five reasons why it smells like burning plastic include actual burnt plastic or culprits like burnt plastic, electrical wiring, HVAC systems and furnaces, appliances, and wall outlets.Burnt Plastic: A burning plastic smell can come from a plastic food storage container in the dishwasher, a melted cooking utensil, or a hair accessory near a straightening iron. How to Fix: Remove as much of the burnt plastic object as possible. If residue remains, mix equal parts warm water and distilled white vinegar or make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Spray the vinegar solution or spread the paste on the mess, let it sit until it reacts with the plastic, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Repeat as needed until clean.
Electrical Wiring: Faulty electrical wiring is a concerning cause. It can overheat or catch fire, leading to burning of insulation and connectors. It’s hard to find the source as it’s often hidden. How to Fix: Turn off the power and narrow down the location. Call an electrician to check the wiring to prevent damage or fire. HVAC Systems and Furnaces: These can be culprits if overheated due to lack of cleaning or a clogged air filter. How to Fix: Check and replace dirty or clogged air filters and schedule regular cleanings. Appliances: Appliances can emit a burning plastic smell if overheated due to clogs or dust. How to Fix: Regularly clean appliances with self-cleaning cycles and clean the lint tray in the dryer after each use. Wall Outlets: Overloading wall outlets can cause overheating and melting of plastic components. How to Fix: Avoid overloading and ensure proper use of electrical system.What Should You Do About a Burning Plastic Smell?
Because the burning plastic smell could be coming from an electrical system that’s malfunctioning or overloaded wall outlets. It’s important to act swiftly to prevent a fire from starting or spreading. Quickly determine where you believe the smell is coming from. If there is a specific appliance or area associated with the smell, turn off and unplug all associated appliances. You should even turn the power off to the area at the breaker to ensure there is no electricity continuing to run to the area.
If you do not believe there is an immediate fire risk, but the smell is a continued nuisance, call an electrician, preferably one that does emergency calls. You’ll want to get them to your home as soon as possible to determine the cause and make sure there is no risk.
If there is an issue with an overheating HVAC system or appliances, the electrician can also make that determination. At that point, you can decide whether a professional fix or cleaning is necessary or whether you can clean filters and dust yourself.
How to Fix:
Turn off the power, locate which outlet is emitting the burning smell, and unplug all devices from the outlet. Call an electrician to inspect the outlet to assess whether it’s a fire hazard.
Warning:
Call in a professional if you cannot determine where the burning plastic smell is coming from or aren’t able to fix it. Call 911 if the smell is persistent or you begin to see smoke or flames.
How To Get Rid of Lingering Burning Plastic Smells:
A burning plastic smell is bothersome because of its acrid, chemical nature, but it can also be toxic if it’s coming from actual burning plastic. Because these fumes can be more than a sensory issue, it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
Remove the culprit: If possible, remove the item that’s causing the burning plastic smell from the home completely.
Replace a filter: If the smell was caused by a clogged filter, remove that filter. Open all of the windows to help air out your home, turn on any fans, and bring in an air purifier.
Use white vinegar: Place bowls of white vinegar throughout the affected rooms to help purify the air and absorb the odor.
Wipe down surfaces: Fill a bucket with dishwashing liquid and water, and, using a sponge, wipe down counters, cabinets, furniture, floors, appliances, and any other surfaces in the impacted spaces.
Give it time: The remediation may take time, but providing ventilation and taking proactive steps to clean the surfaces affected will help expedite the process.
Tips for Preventing Burning Plastic Smells:
Regularly clean out appliances, especially a dryer, to remove any buildup.
Switch out air filters as directed to prevent them from becoming clogged.
Don’t overload outlets and unplug devices and appliances that don’t need to be plugged in all the time.
Get HVAC systems and furnaces serviced regularly, especially if they are older.
FAQ:
Does electrical fire smell like burning plastic?
If you detect a burning plastic smell in your house, it’s crucial to act swiftly. First, assess whether it’s just a smell or if there is any visible smoke or fire. If there is smoke or fire, or if you are extremely concerned about the smell, call 911 immediately.
If there’s no smoke or fire, turn off and unplug any devices that may be the source. Then, call an electrician for an emergency visit to determine the cause of the smell.
A house smelling like burning rubber could indicate burning electrical wires or an appliance overheating. To address this, locate the source of the smell, unplug the appliance, and shut off the power to that area of the home. After that, call in a professional to assess the situation.
It’s important to note that carbon monoxide, a potentially lethal gas, has no smell. This makes it difficult to detect without specialized equipment. To prevent carbon monoxide leaks, install detectors that monitor its levels and alert you if they are unsafe.
Getting rid of burnt smells in a microwave can be done in 3 easy steps. Follow these steps to eliminate the odor effectively.