An ERJ170 Captain reported that on the first takeoff of the day a burning smell occurred in the cabin. The crew was later told the engines had under gone a wash that night and the smell was residual wash chemical.

Narrative

The aircraft had undergone an engine wash at night. We were first flight after that. On takeoff there was a burning smell in the cabin similar to a furnace that hadn't been used in a while. Flight Attendant called us after takeoff to notify us. There was no smoke and the smell was subsiding; so we continued our climb. First Officer was aware that sometimes an engine wash causes that smell so we leaned in that direction. I contacted Maintenance through Commercial Radio and received confirmation of the common smell in the cabin after engine wash and the fact that there was indeed a wash done. With the smell gone we continued to destination. Maintenance told me the burning smell was common after a wash and apparently we have had some aircraft abort takeoff because of it. Perhaps maintenance procedures should be revised to purge the aircraft of the chemicals more thoroughly to prevent having to make the abort/return to field decision in the future. A memo to the pilots about the commonality of this occurrence may also be useful.