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Microwaves are efficient marvels that have been making cooking (and snacking) easier for almost 80 years. Yet the microwave is vastly underappreciated. That’s why knowing how to clean a microwave is likely low priority for most people. Yes, maintaining other kitchen appliances that take a bit more of a beating, like the glass stove top which shows all the splatter post dinner prep can take precedence, but don’t let the need to clean other appliances lead to a dirty microwave. Whether you have it propped on your countertop or installed over the range, you’ll want to insure that both the outside of your microwave and the microwave interior are free of messes. The good news is that cleaning a microwave’s tough stains often implements most of the same cleaning products already in your arsenal. Given that the microwave deserves more respect than it’s often given, you might be using these easy cleaning tips much more often than you have in the past. Here, we provide you with hacks that keep buildup at bay and this appliance in steady rotation.
What is the easiest way to clean a microwave?
The quickest, best possible way to get a clean microwave is to wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth after every use. But, to be honest, that’s unlikely—buttery popcorn is awaiting, after all. Which leads to scheduling a regular cleaning about once a week. For the quickest and easiest microwave cleaning give Angry Momma Microwave Cleaner a chance. This little toylike tool actually makes cleaning your microwave fun. All you need is some white vinegar and a drop of essential oil and the icky residue will just about slide off. The whole process won’t take more than 10 minutes.
For a DIY approach that banishes grime and splatters, make a lemon sauna. Cut a lemon into slices and place it in a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water. Add the lemon juice from the cutting board into the bowl too. Lime and orange slices work just as well for this cleaning hack. Place the bowl on the microwave’s turntable and program it to a high heat for about three to five minutes (depending on the condition inside of your microwave). The water bath and lemons should get hot enough to steam up the window on the microwave door. Once you hear the ding!, let the mixture sit in the microwave for at least a few minutes. Take the bowl out with oven mitts, in case the water is still very hot. Use a damp sponge to wipe down the inside of the microwave, and you’re all set. This method works wonders to get rid of the burnt smell, in case you miscalculated the time and ended up with burnt popcorn.
What is the best cleaner for the inside of a microwave?
If the inside of your microwave oven has some stubborn stains from one-too-many frozen dinner fiascos, don’t let it get you down. You have two options. Get your hands on a grease-cutting spray like Method Heavy-Duty Degreaser, or make a serious soapy water solution with Dawn Platinum EZ-Squeeze dish soap and warm water. Either way, be sure to put the cleaning agent of choice directly onto a sponge, clean cloth, or paper towel so as to not drip into the depths of your microwave. You want this unsung hero to be clean, not broken. If the gunk still won’t wipe away with ease, use a soft-bristle brush or the coarse side of a sponge to dig in. But whatever you do, don’t use bleach. Not only does it have an intense smell, but it can also damage the inside of this appliance.
How do you clean a dirty microwave?
In order to ensure that the exterior of a microwave oven isn’t covered in fingerprints, grime, or splatters—which is especially easy to spot with stainless steel—clean its dirty appearance in two easy steps. Start with the window. In a bowl, mix together a cleaning solution of one cup white vinegar and one cup water. Dip a microfiber cloth or paper towel into the liquid, and wipe the window clean. Then, use the dry side of the cloth to make sure all the streaks disappear. Think of it as a fun, done-in-minutes cleaning DIY?
Once the window is clean, move on to the microwave door and buttons. All you need is a small bowl with equal parts water and baking soda. Dip a clean cloth into the paste and wipe down the surface. You might want to run the damp cloth more than once, as baking soda can leave a chalky residue if not fully removed. If the outside of your microwave is especially soiled, use a Mr. Clean MagicEraser to get rid of the sticky finger evidence before reverting to the above.
How do you clean a microwave with vinegar and water?
If you’d like to clean your microwave’s interior with white vinegar and water, you can do so by placing a one-to-one mixture of both liquids in a small bowl. Just like in the citrus steam-cleaning hack, place the microwave-safe bowl inside and turn on the power for at least three minutes. The same white vinegar-and-water concoction can be used to clean the outside of your microwave—add a few drops of essential oil to ensure that your kitchen’s smell isn’t overpowered by vinegar.
