Don’t like to us: when was the last time you cleaned out your microwave? Have you left messes sitting there for weeks? What about for months? Don’t worry, we won’t judge.
It’s springtime now and you know what that means: it’s time to finally conquer your kitchen cleaning duties, and that means that you have to clean the inside of the microwave.
Instead of just throwing it out and buying a new one, why not take our advice to make quick work of this dirty little appliance? Read on for a few tips on how to clean a microwave.
1. Use Lemon
This is one of the most popular “hacks” for cleaning out a dirty microwave, and all you need is a lemon (or a lime), some water, and a bowl.
Add two cups of water to a bowl. Make sure the bowl is large enough that water won’t spill or boil over while it’s in the microwave. You don’t want to make a bigger mess or get water into the vents.
Into the water, squeeze the juice out of one lemon. You could also use pre-packaged lemon juice if you have it on hand.
Put the bowl in the microwave. Depending on the strength of your microwave, you’re going to want to put it in for anywhere between three and five minutes. You want the water to start boiling without boiling over.
You want the microwave to look steamy. If it’s not, microwave the water for another minute or so.
Let the steamy microwave sit for a few minutes until it’s cool enough to open the door to remove the bowl. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the microwave.
Now it’s clean and it smells like fresh citrus!
2. Soap and Hot Water
This might seem obvious, but you can also use soap and hot water to clean your microwave without having to scrub and scour it.
Put a cup or two of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Add about a teaspoon (roughly one good squirt) of dish soap to the water and stir it. Put the bowl into the microwave.
This time, microwave the bowl for about two to three minutes. Again, you want the microwave to look steamy when the time is up. Wait for just a minute and then use oven mitts to remove the bowl from the microwave.
Again, use a microfiber cloth to wipe up any dirt or grime in the microwave. It’s a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands.
Make sure to use a damp cloth (without soap) after you do a once-over with the microfiber cloth to get rid of any residual soap.
3. The Sponge or Towel Method
You can use a sponge or towel to loosen up some of the grime and caked-on food in your microwave, and we don’t mean by putting in some serious elbow grease and trying to scrub it away.
Soak a sponge or small dishtowel with clean water. If you have it available, add a few drops of dish soap (but this isn’t necessary). Lightly spray the inside of the microwave with water as well (you can add lemon juice or vinegar to the water for added benefits).
Microwave the wet sponge or towel for two minutes. Leave the sponge or towel in the microwave until it’s cool enough to touch, and then use it to wipe down the inside.
4. For Stuck-On Stains
Do you have a few stains or hardened grime areas that just won’t get clean no matter what you do? Here are a few suggestions.
First, consider using white vinegar. You likely already have it in your kitchen. Put the vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it onto the caked-on grime in your microwave.
Let the vinegar sit for about fifteen minutes. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe away the grime.
If that doesn’t work, you can try a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. You don’t want it to be too watery.
Put the paste over the grime. Let it sit for five to ten minutes before wiping it away with a sponge. Ideally, the grime will come off with the baking soda paste.
5. Tips for Keeping Your Microwave Clean
So once you’ve removed all of that pesky food and grime from the inside of your microwave, your hard work is done, right? Wrong. If you don’t want this to happen again, you need to keep your microwave clean.
Every time you microwave something, make sure that you cover it with a lid or plate. Glass lids and plates are better than plastic lids because they’re less likely to pop off while the food is in the microwave.
If you microwave something smelly, spray a water and white vinegar mixture into the microwave as soon as you’re done. This will help you avoid lingering smells.
Every time you clean off your counter, take a moment to wipe down the inside of your microwave, even if it doesn’t look dirty.
Finally, if something does explode in your microwave and make a mess, wipe it up right away, even before you eat. It’s a hassle, but it’s easier than cleaning it up later.
Clean a Microwave the Easy Way
We all know that it can be challenging to clean a microwave, but these tips should help! Use one of these methods to get (and keep) your grimy microwave squeaky clean.
Are you in need of professional cleaning help? We’re here for you! Contact Detail Cleaning Services today and we’ll make your home sparkle.
