Cleaning the Microwave

When was the last time your microwave was completely spotless? If you’re having trouble answering, it’s probably time for a good deep clean. Microwaves are one of those appliances that can be tedious to clean due to the dried up food and grease splatters. Unfortunately, we can’t just toss them in the dishwasher so we need other easy options to clean them. Here are some pro tips to get your microwave squeaky clean again. 

Citrus Water

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with a chopped lemon, lime or orange and 1 cup of water. Let the microwave run on high for a few minutes- you’ll know it’s working when the water begins to boil or the window steams up. Let the bowl cool in the microwave for about 15 minutes before opening the door, then remove the bowl and wipe the inside with a sponge or paper towel. 

Lemon Plate

Cover a microwaveable plate with a thin layer of water. Cut a lemon in half and place the halves down onto the plate. The microwave only needs to run for about a minute on high, and wipe down with a clean cloth or sponge. 

Dishwashing Liquid

Add a tiny amount of dishwashing liquid to a microwave-safe bowl full of warm water. Run the microwave on high for about a minute until steamy. The combination of dishwashing liquid and steam will help loosen up the dried-on gunk, making it easier to wipe away. 

If there is a lingering scent even after cleaning (looking at you, burnt popcorn), microwave a solution of 1 cup water to 2 tablespoons of baking soda. You can also microwave a teaspoon of lemon juice with a cup of water for 2 minutes. 

To clean the inside part of the microwave window, mix vinegar and water and wipe down with a dry, clean towel. 

As far as the exterior, an all-purpose cleaner is safe to use. Be sure to spray the cleaner directly onto the cloth or sponge you’re using to avoid the risk of cleaner sticking inside of the vent holes. 

Create a habit of keeping your microwave clean. These tips are simple and use household ingredients that you probably have already. The more often you clean the microwave, the less likely you are to spend time and elbow grease scrubbing dried-on gunk. It’s also important to clean regularly to decrease bacteria.