Burnt Plastic Smell in House (Here's Why & What to Do)

Very few smells in your home can trigger immediate panic and alarm like the smell of burning plastic. The burning plastic smell can be on the smoky side, or it can leave an entire room smelling like hazardous chemical-filled air. Regardless of the exact smell it is important to find out what is causing this problematic scent.

A burnt plastic smell is often caused by faulty electrical wiring or overheated appliances. You must rule out an electrical fire or actual burning plastic in order to eliminate the potential for catastrophic damage and safety concerns. Once you find the source of the smell, correct the issue. Ventilate the home in order to eliminate the odor for good.

The source of the burning plastic smell can range from a minor issue to something life threatening. The smell of burning plastic should never be ignored. Although there are several causes for this smell, it is most likely one of the seven reasons listed below.

Unfortunately, the potential causes of a burnt plastic smell vary in severity. That is why it’s essential to pinpoint the source of the smell as quickly as possible. In this case, follow your nose! Where does the odor smell strongest? In a particular room? Coming from an appliance?

Following your nose will help you narrow down the cause, so you can take the proper action. Burning plastic, similar to the smell of burning rubber, indicates toxic chemicals in the air. So take it seriously. Here’s how to figure out what the problem is so you can fix the odor.

Note: Look for any smoke accompanying the smell. That is a good indicator of a potential electrical fire. If there is smoke with this burnt plastic smell, call the fire department and an electrician.

Before you check for other potential causes of the burning plastic smell you must rule out an electrical fire. Electrical fires are very dangerous and can spread rapidly in the home.

The best way to rule out an electrical fire is to first follow the scent and locate the room where it is originating. At this point you should check all electrical outlets, including extension cords, to ensure there is no unusual activity.

If you notice any unusual activity, smoke or smells near these outlets then immediately turn off the circuit breaker and call the fire department.

A household appliance that has overheated might be the stinky perpetrator. Overheating can cause the plastic components to melt, emitting that burnt rubber smell. This can happen to televisions, lamps, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, and more.

Keep in mind, this overheating most commonly happens to old appliances. If the appliance is relatively new, be wary of potential electrical wiring issues. To prevent possible fires, unplug the appliance if there is no visible sparking or smoke.

In certain cases, something in your home might have faulty electrical wires. A short circuit, power overload, or loose connections can cause the wire casings to get too hot and melt. The melting of this plastic coating emits that burnt rubber smell.

It might be hard for you to pinpoint this without the help of an electrician. But use your best judgment. Do you suspect the smell is coming from inside your HVAC system, appliances, or inner walls? Call an electrician to assess the issue ASAP. You should respond to any signs of an electrical fire or smoke by calling the fire department.

If you narrow down the burning plastic smell to your kitchen there is a chance the smell is coming from one of your kitchen appliances. Some older appliances may start to give way, whether it is an over-used motor or a slowly deteriorating wiring system. Any of these deteriorating issues can give off a burning plastic smell.

Brand new electric ovens also emit this burning smell during the first few uses. This is the insulation around the oven cavity, and should go away after you break in your oven. Make sure there is no residual plastic or packaging materials stuck to your new appliance.

If you smell a burning plastic smell coming from your kitchen there is also a good chance that plastic is actually burning. Very often, the burnt rubber smell originates somewhere in the kitchen. Did you accidentally leave Tupperware on a hot stovetop? Or microwave plastic that wasn’t meant to be heated? Maybe your plastic melted in the dishwasher.

Remember that certain kitchen devices like toasters and toaster ovens run very hot, and if you have placed plastic on them or nearby there is a strong potential that plastic will melt. Be sure to check your kitchen thoroughly in order to avoid a potentially dangerous fire.

Fireplaces will always give off a burning smell when they are doing their job, but occasionally the fragrant wood burning can give way to plastic smells. Bad batches of wood, artificial logs and fire-starting techniques can all leave lasting smells that have a chemical nature.

These smells can often linger and be reminiscent of burning plastic. If you think this may be the case you should thoroughly clean your fireplace and see if the smell goes away after you ventilate the room.

To get rid of the burnt plastic smell in your house, you will have to first identify the source. Once you figure out where the odor is originating, take steps to cut out the root problem. This may involve unplugging faulty appliances or cleaning melted plastic in the kitchen. It may also require calling in an electrician or an HVAC technician.

After the problem is solved, you’ll want to eliminate the odor before it sets in. Take action to ventilate your home, use odor absorbers, and clean any fabrics or rooms. The following steps will help you get rid of that terrible burnt plastic smell in your house.

Hopefully, you have pinpointed the appliance or room where the burnt plastic smell is coming from. Is it that old lamp or TV you still use? Make sure to power down and unplug any of these faulty appliances.

If you couldn’t determine the culprit with your nose alone, you should call in an electrician. It may be an electrical wiring issue, which is a fire hazard. There’s also a possibility the issue is coming from your HVAC system. Call in a technician to identify the problem.

When smelling burnt plastic in your home, you should immediately power down your AC unit. This will prevent the chemical odor from being further circulated through your house. Burnt plastic smell is dangerous to inhale, so prevent its spread if possible.

Next, it’s time to ventilate your entire home to dissipate the smell. If the burning smell is left to sit for too long, it might cling to the fabrics and walls of the room it’s in. To properly ventilate, take these steps: