How To Clean a Microwave: The Right Way

For many of us, cleaning a microwave is one of our least favorite things to do in the kitchen. We usually wind up using harsh chemicals or getting some type of device that will make it look like we never cooked anything and makes a mess in our microwave.

With these easy directions, you can have your microwave looking like new, without all the hassle. Follow these 3 easy steps to clean a microwave with ease.

Quick and Easy Cleaning

The first step to cleaning a microwave is to remove all food and liquid from the inside of the microwave. Then, use a damp soft cloth or paper towel to wipe out any leftover food. The next step is to sprinkle some baking soda on the cloth and wipe down the inside of the microwave. Finally, take a damp cloth with soap and water and clean that off too.

The process of cleaning your dirty microwave in 3 steps will save you time, energy and make it easier than it has ever been before!

Cleaning With Vinegar

Start by filling your container with dish soap and a few cups of water. Next, add about 1 cup of vinegar to the mixture and microwave for two minutes.

The acidity in the vinegar will break down any food particles and you’ll be able to wipe those away. Now all that’s left is a clean surface! the vinegar solution is a natural disinfectant as well.

Cleaning With Lemon

Nobody likes the smell or taste of burned microwave popcorn, but it’s easy to forget that it leaves a really bad smell behind. If you want to get rid of the smell, pour a bowl of water into the microwave and put in two tablespoons of lemon juice. Turn on the oven for about two minutes and let it sit for another five minutes before turning off the microwave. The smell will be gone!

Now wipe it down with a microfiber cloth, Make sure it is a clean cloth! Then with clean water wipe up any loose particles of food from the steaming process. Make sure to pull out the microwave turntable and wipe both sides of this as well.

Cleaning With Ice

The first step is to fill a glass with water and ice. Then, put the glass into the microwave and heat it on high for 2 to 3 minutes. This will help loosen up any burnt food that may be stuck in your microwave. After heating, open the door and pour the water out right away. You may notice some of that food has loosened up and is now sticking to the walls of your microwave instead of staying stuck on whatever you were cooking before.

The next thing you need to do is grab a sponge or rag with soap (a little dish soap should do) and scrub off any leftover food stains from the inside of your microwave. For tough spots, add more water with soap to your sponge or rag and continue scrubbing until you see a clean spot without any residue leftover from whatever you cooked before.

Finally, take a dry cloth or soft sponge and wipe down the inside of your microwave until it’s dry. That’s it! Your microwave will look like new again without a trace of harsh chemical!

Cleaning With a Sponge

For many microwaves, the best way to clean them is by using a damp sponge. You can use a slightly wet sponge and wring it out before you put it in the microwave. There are some microwaves where this will not work so well because of the material that the inside of the microwave is made out of. Some microwave brands are different and you should check your owners manual.

Creating a squeaky-clean microwave does not have to be a hard process. The hot water from the steaming process should clean baked-on food with ease.

Conclusion

Taking simple steps to keep your microwave clean and eliminate bad odors does not have to be hard. Just remove excess stuck food, some wet paper towels and the natural cleaning product of your choice should keep your appliance clean. Remember tough stains might require a little elbow grease to help clean up burnt-on food grime.

Most appliance manufacturers will tell you that lack of maintenance and built up stains and food pieces are the number one reason these units fail. A little warm water in a microwave safe bowl, wiped out with an soft, lint-free cloth will keep your appliance cleaner and healthier for the whole family.