If you’re like me, you love your microwave. It’s a convenient way to make food in seconds, and tastes great! But what steps should you take while cleaning your microwave? I’m here to tell you how!
In this post, we will discuss how to remove grease from a microwave and also give tips on what products work best for cleaning. We have also written a step-by-step guide on how to clean an electric stove.
To clean a microwave, you will need the following materials:
- A microwave-safe bowl
- Water
- A sponge or microfiber cloth
And one of the following, depending on the cleaning method that you will choose:
- White vinegar
- Lemon
- Baking Soda
- Dish soap
- 1. How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar
- 2. How to clean a Microwave with Lemon
- 3. How to clean a Microwave with Baking Soda
- 4. How to clean a Microwave with Dish Soap
- 5. Cleaning the outside of your Microwave
- How often you should clean your microwave?
- What is the best way to clean the inside of a microwave?
- How to Eliminate the Microwave Smell
1. How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar
- Fill the bowl with equal parts white vinegar and water. The amount you need depends on the size of your microwave, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 1 cup of liquid for every 1-2 cubic feet of microwave space.
- Place the bowl of vinegar and water inside the microwave and close the door.
- Turn the microwave on for about 5 minutes or until the liquid steams and bubbles. This will help to loosen any stuck-on food or grime inside the microwave.
- Allow an extra 5 minutes for everything to cool down, then carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave, including the walls, ceiling, and door. Be sure to use a gentle, circular motion to avoid damaging the microwave’s surface.
- Once you have wiped down the entire inside of the microwave, use a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining vinegar or water.
- Allow the microwave to air-dry completely before using it again.
2. How to clean a Microwave with Lemon
Lemons are a natural degreaser, disinfectant, deodorizer, and air freshener. They also kill mold and grease. Lemon is a great way to clean your microwave oven because it’s acidic enough to get rid of stains while being gentle enough not to damage the surface of your appliance.
- Cut the lemons in half and use a sieve or manually pick out seeds inside the fruit (if desired).
- Squeeze the lemon juice into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Place the squeezed lemon halves into the microwave-safe bowl and mix the lemon juice with approximately one cup of water.
- Place the bowl of lemon juice and water inside the microwave and run it on high for five minutes. Just like the vinegar solution allow at least ten minutes before taking it out to avoid burning yourself.
- Remove the glass plate and the turntable and use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave. Be sure to remove the excess baking soda from your microwave.
- Allow for the microwave to air-dry before using it.
3. How to clean a Microwave with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural and gentle abrasive, making it a safe and effective cleaner for many surfaces, including the inside of a microwave. It can help to break down stuck-on food and grease, and its alkaline nature can help to neutralize acidic odors. Additionally, baking soda is non-toxic and biodegradable, so it’s a safe and environmentally friendly option for cleaning. Because of these properties, it’s a popular choice for cleaning microwaves and other appliances.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix at least two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of water to create a cleaning solution.
- Insert the bowl into the microwave and run it on high for 5 minutes. The mixture should create steam that would break up grease and grime inside of the microwave.
- Carefully remove the container after 5 minutes.
- Even though the steam from the mixture should have loosened any food debris, you may still have stubborn gunk that would need to be wiped down. Dip a sponge or cloth in the solution, and then use it to wipe down the inside of the microwave, including the walls, ceiling, and turntable.
- Rinse the sponge or cloth as needed, and continue wiping until the microwave is clean.
- Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining baking soda residue.
- Allow the microwave to air dry before plugging it back in and using it again.
4. How to clean a Microwave with Dish Soap
- Unplug the microwave and remove any large pieces of food or debris from the interior.
- In a small bowl, mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water to create a cleaning solution.
- Dip a sponge or cloth in the solution, and using a circular motion wipe down the inside of the microwave, including the walls, ceiling, and turntable.
- Rinse the sponge or cloth as needed, and continue wiping until the microwave is clean. Make sure to take care of your microwave by not letting water get in the vents.
- Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining soap residue.
- Allow the microwave to air dry before plugging it back in and using it again.
Note: Avoid using abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals when cleaning a microwave with dish soap, as these can damage the surface of the appliance.
5. Cleaning the outside of your Microwave
Food and other debris can build up on the outside of the microwave, which can attract pests and potentially cause odors. Finally, if the outside of the microwave is not cleaned regularly, the build-up of food and other debris can make it more difficult to clean in the future.
- Spray the outside with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water.
- Let it sit for 5 or so minutes.
- Dip a sponge or soft cloth into a drop of dish soap solution, and then use it to gently scrub the outside of the microwave.
- Dry the outside of the microwave thoroughly with a clean towel.
- Rinse and repeat.
How often you should clean your microwave?
This depends on how often you use it. If you have a family and use your microwave multiple times a day, then cleaning more frequently is necessary. On the other hand, if you only use it once or twice per week at most, then waiting longer between cleans is fine.
As with any appliance that’s used regularly (like an oven), keeping its surface clean helps prevent food from sticking and making sure that any residual grease doesn’t build up over time into an unhealthy level of gunkiness—and that can cause health problems like cancer!
What is the best way to clean the inside of a microwave?
The best way to clean the inside of a microwave will depend on the specific materials and surfaces of the appliance, as well as the type and severity of any stains or grime. In general, however, a simple and effective way to clean the inside of a microwave is to mix equal parts water and vinegar in a bowl and use that solution to wipe down the inside of the appliance, including the walls, ceiling, and turntable. The vinegar will help to break down stuck-on food and grease, and its acidic nature can help to neutralize any unpleasant odors.
Avoid using abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the surface of the microwave.
How to Eliminate the Microwave Smell
If you want to eliminate the microwave smell, it’s best to do some cleaning at least once a month. Vinegar and water, lemon are all good at breaking down tough stains and grease and will leave your microwave smelling fresh.
Conclusion
Microwaves are an invaluable tool for those who enjoy cooking, but they can also become a source of germs. If you’re planning to use your microwave frequently, it might be worth investing in one of these cleaning methods covered above as they will help keep your kitchen free from harmful bacteria.
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John Brown
John Brown brings a wealth of experience and passion for DIY, Home and Garden, and Woodworking. With a dedication to empowering enthusiasts, he shares insights, tips, and comprehensive guides to help you transform spaces and master woodworking skills.
