Clean up a Disgusting Microwave With Lemon
Microwaves are all about convenience. Is there something that needs to be heated? Put it in the microwave and it will heat up in a few seconds. Considering it’s designed to save time in the kitchen, it’s easy to forget to clean. This means that there is a good chance that your microwave is rather dirty.
Fortunately, there is a way to make it easier to clean, courtesy of the experts at The Kitchn, without the need for harsh chemicals.
This requires only lemon, water, a microwave-safe bowl, and a dry towel:
- Pour water into a bowl: Measure out about half a glass of water into a bowl.
- Squeeze lemon: Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice into water. Toss the lemon halves into a bowl.
- Microwave for 3 minutes: Place the bowl in the microwave. Microwave on high power for three minutes to bring the liquid to a boil.
- Let stand 5 minutes: do not open the microwave door. Steam trapped inside will help get rid of food debris. Let stand for five minutes.
- Wipe down the microwave: open the door and carefully remove the bowl of lemons. If your microwave oven has a turntable, lift it up and dry it. Wipe the inside of the microwave oven clean, starting at the ceiling and along the sides. Finish laying the floor by sweeping the crumbs in your hand. Don’t forget the door!
- Cleaning Stubborn Stains: If you find stubborn stains that are difficult to wipe off, dip a corner of a kitchen towel in lemon water and pat dry until the stain is gone.
So why does it work? It all boils down to the citric acid in lemons , which helps kill bacteria, mold and mildew as well as break down food and stains.
Does your microwave need more help? You can try baking soda and water , scrape off the trash with an old credit card, or steam it with vinegar .
This story was originally published in February 2014 and was updated on December 3, 2020 to bring its content in line with the current Lifehacker style.