We all know what it’s like to have a messy microwave after how many uses. No one wants to endure the crud and small bits of leftover food that met the microwave. Cleaning it is inevitable, but it can be quite a tedious task! Plus, I’m sure not a lot of you want to use harmful chemicals when cleaning the microwave, which can be unhealthy for the household. After all, you put your food inside the appliance!
So how can you clean your microwave without using any harmful chemicals? Check out these simple and effective methods on how to do so!
If you want to clean your microwave with minimal work and materials, then here are the quick methods to follow:
1. Using a Lemon
If you’ve been postponing the time to clean your microwave, then this is a great way to clean it while giving it a fresh smell without any chemicals. All you need to do is to squeeze lemon juice in a bowl of water and microwave it for about three to five minutes. The lemon water should reach boiling point. Let it stay for about five minutes, letting the steam clean the insides of your microwave.
Use the lemon and water solution to wipe the microwave clean, scrubbing and wiping stubborn spots.
2. Using Vinegar
Just like using lemon juice, waking vinegar and water can help remove most of the food spread. This is thanks to the ingredients’ acidic nature, which disinfects the microwave while freshening it up.
Fill a bowl with water and one tablespoon of vinegar. Place it in the microwave and set it for five minutes. After that, you can now wipe down the microwave’s sides with water. Just make sure to use gloves when handling the hot bowl of water and vinegar, as it can be extremely hot after microwaving!
3. Using Dish Soap
Using dish soap is another great and effective way to clean your microwave without the extra-harmful substances. According to the Kitchen Advisor, all you need to do is to mix a bit of water and dishwashing soap in a bowl. Microwave it for half a minute and allow it to steam.
Using a sponge or wipe, you can now clean the microwave and remove any crud and stains. This is a quicker way to clean the machine without having to wait for five to ten minutes after microwaving the bowl of water and vinegar or lemon.
4. Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is incredibly versatile. It doesn’t only work for your recipes but for cleaning as well! If your microwave is in dire need of cleaning, filled with a ton of hard crud or sauces that the other methods can’t clean efficiently, then baking soda will do wonders.
All you need to do is to add two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of water (enough to make a paste). Microwave it for three to five minutes, until the mixture comes to a boil. Wipe it down right after. This will get rid of the odor and clean stains.
5. Cleaning With a Sponge
This method is the simplest and quickest way to clean your microwave. Add a bunch of wet paper towels in the machine, letting it sit for three to five minutes. After that, make a solution with safe cleaning soap and water. Use the sponge and solution to wipe down all sides of the microwave, scrubbing the stains and spots. Also, scrub the doors and its handles. After that, dry it off with a clean cloth, ensuring that everything is dry before shutting the door.
6. Giving a Steam Bath
Last but not the least, if you don’t have the cleaning materials mentioned above, you can simply give it a steam bath. This weakens the dried gunk, making it easier to clean. All you need to do here is to put a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, letting it boil and steam. After five minutes, remove the bowl and wipe down the gunk and stains with a delicate cloth. And you’re done! Take note it won’t help with any odor that may stay in the machine.
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Wrapping It Up
You don’t need to spend tons of money investing in harmful chemicals and products when cleaning your microwave. You can find some cleaning materials right in the comforts of your own home, without any of these toxic substances touching your appliances!
I hope that these simple ways to clean a microwave gave you an idea of how to begin maintaining your appliances without the hassle. So don’t wait any longer and begin trying any of these methods to keep your microwave squeaky clean now.
If you have any questions or want to share your tips and experiences on cleaning a microwave, comment down below! We would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.