The Best Way to Clean a Microwave Oven
Your microwave becomes very dirty, but this can be easily ignored since you simply close the door when not in use, hiding all the grease, splatters and crumbs left in there. Out of sight may be out of sight, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. Dirt can attract pests or make your microwave (and food) smelly and unpleasant. It’s time to clean your microwave one by one.
Step One: Microwave
First, you should steam your microwave. This bad boy has all sorts of spatter baked and crusted inside, and the steam will loosen it up. Steam is a powerful cleaning tool , as is citric acid , so this won’t be a problem. Online and on CleanTok, you’ll find suggestions ranging from half a cup of water to a full cup, half a lemon to a full cup, three to five minutes, five to 15 minutes. left for steaming. Let’s keep it simple. That’s what I’m doing:
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Cut the lemon into quarters and place two of them in a microwave-safe bowl with a glass of water.
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Microwave on high for three minutes, checking for steam towards the end.
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If you don’t see steam, wait another minute (mine is visible on the cabinet above the microwave so I know it’s working)
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Leave it with the door closed for five minutes.
When you open the microwave, you will see that what once crusted the walls and ceiling of the machine is now damp and very easy to wipe off with a sponge. Plus, it smells nice of lemon. However, keep in mind that I have found that the crust and splatter at the top is much easier to remove than anything at the bottom since the steam rises to the top. If your record player is removable, take it out and soak it in warm water, then scrub it with a sponge.
Step Two: Clean the Outside of the Microwave Oven
How you clean the outside of your microwave depends on what’s stuck there. If it’s greasy, rub it gently with a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water. If it’s just a splatter but not greasy, try a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol and one part water. You can also use a damp sponge soaked in baking soda for tougher stains, but be sure to wash it off with plain water.
I do this part in several stages. I first use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water to remove any light stains or residue, then double-check to see if any of the residue is stuck. Using a soft cloth, I rub the surface with baking soda (it gets streaky and messy!) and then wipe it off with plain water. If streaks still remain, I add vinegar and water, which is a streak-killing combination.
You don’t need any special products beyond what you already have at home to make your microwave shine inside and out, but you do need the know-how and a little time.