Have you ever tried to microwave some leftovers, then forgotten about them? If you have, you know how grimy a microwave can really get.
The good news: this is nothing some regular maintenance can’t fix. All you need is a few minutes of your time and some everyday products. That list includes dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, and even lemons!
Want to learn how to clean the inside of a microwave? Here are five microwave cleaning tips that will get you started!
1. Clean With Vinegar
White or apple cider vinegar is a timeless microwave cleaning solution. No matter how bad the inside of a microwave looks, vinegar can deal with it.
Start by getting a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Fill it with two tablespoons of vinegar and two cups of water. If you’re not a fan of what vinegar smells like, add a drop of your favorite essential oil.
Place the container in your microwave, then turn the microwave on high for five minutes. You want it to get as steamy as possible. Keep the door closed for another fifteen minutes to ensure the grime has softened.
Next, remove the container carefully, as it may still be hot. Take the turntable out, then use a clean rag to wipe it down. Keep the turntable in a safe spot until you’re done with the rest of the microwave.
Now, take some wet paper towels and wipe down the inside of the microwave. Be careful not to get any water in the vents. If some spots are still dirty, clean them with a sponge dipped in your vinegar solution.
2. Use a Window Cleaner
Window cleaners are also great for cleaning a dirty microwave. That said, most of them contain ammonia, so don’t mix them with other cleaners.
Take a microwave-safe bowl and pour some window cleaner into it for two seconds. You can also spray about ten pumps worth of cleaner in the bowl. Then, add a cup of water to create your cleaning solution.
Open the microwave and spray the insides with the standard window cleaner. Pay particular attention to large, baked-on spills. Then, place the bowl with your solution in the microwave and run it on high for five minutes.
After five minutes, remove the bowl and the turntable. Wipe the turntable clean with a damp paper towel, then go over it with a dry one. Do the same with the inside of the microwave, working from top to bottom.
3. Clean With Soap
When it comes to how to clean a microwave with soap, you have two options. The main difference is that one method is more hands-on than the other.
For the hands-on method, pour some dishwashing liquid into a bowl of warm water. Squeeze a sponge in this bowl until the water gets sudsy. Take the turntable out and use the soapy sponge to scrub it clean in the sink.
Use a rag or damp paper towel to remove any crumbs in the microwave. Then, scrub the inside of the microwave with the soapy sponge. Use a circular scrubbing motion and be careful not to get the suds in the vents.
To make sure the grime is gone, repeat this process once with clean suds. Follow it up by using a damp paper towel to remove the suds from all surfaces. Wipe everything with a rag to avoid streaking.
The hands-off approach is very similar to the vinegar method above. Pour some dishwashing liquid into a bowl, then fill it with warm water. Run the microwave with the bowl inside for five minutes, then clean everything up.
4. Use Baking Soda
Struggling with particularly greasy microwave stains? If so, there’s no better antidote for them than a bit of your standard baking soda.
First, place a few tablespoons of baking soda into a microwave-safe bowl. Add some warm water and mix them until you get a nice paste. Place the bowl in your microwave and run it on high for about five minutes.
Once you’re done, take the bowl out and wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp paper towel. You should now be able to wipe away any caked-in debris easily. Use a dry paper towel to wipe everything down.
Baking soda is also helpful for getting rid of bad microwave smells. Any time you’re microwaving something smelly, the odor may linger for a while. Placing a bowl of baking soda inside will absorb most light odors.
Unfortunately, not even baking soda is strong enough to remove the smell of burnt popcorn. In this scenario, your best bet may be to hire professionals to deal with the issue.
5. Clean With Lemon
When you think of ways to clean a microwave, lemon may not come to mind right away. Like vinegar, though, lemon is a natural disinfectant.
For this method to work, you’ll need to prepare the lemon a bit. Squeeze it in your hands long enough for it to get a little mushy, then cut it in half. Next, take a microwave-safe bowl and pour a cup of warm water into it.
Now, squeeze as much juice out of both halves of the lemon into the water. Once you’re done, drop the squeezed halves into the water as well. Put the bowl in the microwave, then run it on high for five to ten minutes.
Let the bowl stand for another five minutes, then remove it. Take the turntable out and wipe it clean with a dry dishcloth. Do the same with the inside of the microwave, then return the turntable.
More on How to Clean the Inside of a Microwave
There you have it: a quick and simple guide on how to clean the inside of a microwave. As long as you follow the tips we outlined above, your microwave should be sparkling again in no time!
Struggling to get rid of some particularly nasty microwave stains or smells? Need some help with cleaning the rest of your household? Contact us here to learn more about our house cleaning services!