The Best Way to Clean the Microwave
It takes a few favorite meals to turn a sparkling clean microwave into a grimy crime scene. It would help if you were cleaning your microwave regularly, at least after every few days.
Cleaning the microwave is very easy. You can purify your oven using your daily kitchen appliances like baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar. Check out our guide to learn more about some of the successful ways of cleaning a microwave. (NationWide, 2020)
Start Cleaning
ProTip Takeaway: Make sure you first disconnect the power cord from the microwave before you start cleaning.
It is the perfect time to inspect the power cord itself for any damage or even dirt, increasing the like hood of fire hazards.
Next, inspect the microwave to check on the dirtiest places of concern. You will also need to determine if any part of the oven is removable. This enables you to pretreat all the items, which is critical for the whole cleaning process. (Flowers, 2015)
Step 1: Make Fresh Lemonade (Microwave It)
You need to fill a mug with water, then cut a grown lemon in half. Next, squeeze the lemon juice into the cup containing the water, and drop the two halves into the cup.
Put the water with the lemon into the microwave oven and let it boil for a few minutes. Now, leave it inside the oven to cool for the steam to perform its duty.
Next, remove the jug from the microwave and use a soft cloth to wipe the inside of the oven. The steam was supposed to loosen the food leftovers, so it will be easy to wipe them away.
Step 2: Steam Clean Using a Wet Paper Towel
Now that you already softened some of the food particles, you can make the cleaning easier. First, make some paper towels wet and oven them for 3 minutes.
Let them sit in the microwave until they cool. Next, get the paper towel out and use the paper towels to clean the microwave. You can throw them away once you are through. This step is similar to the first step, but it's much easier and effective.
Step 3: Nuke the Sponge
Another effective option for steaming is getting a wet sponge and microwaving it for several minutes (not less than two and not more than 5). Then, take the sponge out after you are sure that it's cool to handle and dip it in a warm solution containing water and dawn dish soap.
Use the sponge to scrub all the dirty particles and the greasy appearance of the microwave.
ProTip Takeaway: Microwaving the sponge for three minutes and dipping it into a warm dish soup can help kill bacteria inside the crannies and the nooks.
Step 4: Use Baking Soda
Now it's time to get scrubby with the microwave. This step is ideal if you tried the first three steps, but you can still spot some hardened food particles.
Start by making a paste and dividing it into two. Next, combine one part of the baking soda with water. Finally, microwave the concentrated paste, boil for around five minutes, and leave it to cool.
Soak a sponge or a cloth into the solution containing water and the baking soda and use it to remove the hardened water. Next, dip the sponge into the concentrated solution and repeat the process until you remove the residue.
Step 5: Use Water and Vinegar
Fill a safe glass or a mug halfway with water. Add a tablespoon of vinegar (white in precise). Put the solution into the microwave and let it boil for five minutes. Vapor from this solution will help to loosen the dried-hardened food grime.
Remove the glass from the microwave and use a soft cloth to wipe the inside of the oven. Next, you can take out the turntable and clean it with the vinegar solution. You can also clean the turntable by running it through the dishwasher.
Step 6: Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
This method is very efficient. All the ingredients are inexpensive, and they are easy to find in many kitchens. Start by adding four tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl containing warm water. Mash the solution until it completely dissolves.
Soak a sponge into the solution and use it to wipe the inside of the oven. Now pour an even portion of water, add four tablespoons of white vinegar, and microwave the solution for three minutes.
Keep the oven’s door shut for around ten minutes for the steam to work. Remove the bowl, the carousel, and the turntable. Soak the turntable and the carousel into soapy hot water while you clean the interior side of the microwave using the water and vinegar solution.
Step 7: Use a Diluted Cleaner Solution
It is time to get more creative to tackle some dirty spots. Mix two solutions of window cleaner with water. This diluted solution can remove all stains both on the inside and the outside of the microwave.
Dip a sponge or a cloth into the solution and use it to clean the oven's interior. Next, remove the carousel and wipe the base of the oven until all spots are clean. Finally, ensure you wipe the upper shelf of the ceiling because most of the food particles splatter to the top.
After softening the interior side soak a dip rag into clean water and wash it once more. This process ensures that all food particles are washed away. Use more fresh water to clean the interior if you still detect the scent of the window cleaner solution.
Step 8: Use a Concentrated Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
This solution is primarily for the dirtiest microwaves. Start by wetting Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and remove the excess water and start scrubbing.
The magic eraser will do most of the work, and you should not scrub too hard. The food particles and the baked-on messes will start to disappear. Wipe down the interior of the microwave when you are sure that it's twinkling clean.
Step 9: Use Other Cleaning Cleansers
Most commercial cleaners can effectively wipe away all the dirt in your microwave, but some of them leave an unpleasant smell in the oven. This smell causes meals to have a very odd taste.
If you have to use some commercial cleaners, opt for the fume-free solutions and ensure to leave your microwave door open for some hours after cleaning.
It would help if you were careful when using commercial cleaners, especially inside the oven. For example, never apply pre-soaked scrubbing pads in the interior of the microwave because any loose particles can cause an explosion. (Garrity, 2021)
Step 9: Leave the Baking Soda Overnight
You can use a solution of baking soda to purify the smell of your microwave. Put a bowl of the soda in the microwave and soak it overnight. The soda will remove any unpleasant scent.
Step 10: Oil up The Greasy Spots
If the food stains are very persistent, you can opt to use olive oil. Drizzle a few drops of olive oil on a paper towel and apply elbow grease. You will have to clean the oil residue with a baking soda or vinegar solution. (Home Made Simple, n.d)
Step 11: Clean the Outside
It would be best if you did not neglect cleaning the outer part of the microwave. Most of the dirt and the vents accumulate on the exterior part of the oven.
Use a dawn dish soap and water or some multi-purpose cleaner to round the outside. You can also use a solution of baking soda and vinegar and soak a paper towel to wipe out the dirt.
If you have a stainless-steel microwave, use a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol to wipe the fingerprints.
Cleaning the microwave's filter is essential also. However, you should first consult the manufacturer's manual before messing with the filter. Most filters are removable, allowing you to use warm water and dish soap to clean.
Step 12: Find Help
It is essential to seek help from an external party (a professional) if you cannot remove a pungent smell. You can also use an eliminator produced like a gel to remove the odor.
Microwave Installation Cost
|
Type |
Cost |
|
Built-in |
$200 - $2,000 |
|
Countertop |
$0 - $50 |
|
Under cabinet |
$50 - $150 |
Conclusion
Cleaning a microwave can be very disappointing, especially when you cannot remove the dirty spots. But it would be best if you weren't discouraged because the above steps will make your oven sparkling clean. You should always check the manual of your microwave to discover the best way of cleaning the machine. It is good to clean the oven after a few days to avoid the accumulation of dirt.
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