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Never suffer a smelly, messy microwave again with my guide on How to Clean a Microwave Oven! All it takes is a lemon, water, and a bowl to completely deodorize your microwave so it's as good as new. Yes, it really is that easy!
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How to Clean a Microwave Easily
If you've been following me for a while, you know I've been having a total blast re-doing my kitchen! My latest obsession with deep cleaning all started there. The instant I got a beautiful new set of appliances, I realized I wanted to keep them totally spotless. It began with the sink and my trusty dutch oven before moving on to the true titan of kitchen odors and mess: the microwave.
If you've ever had kids, you know that microwaves are impossible to keep clean. No matter how many times you tell them to put lids on bowls and plates, inevitably, food is going to spatter everywhere and that microwave is going to start smelling!
The good thing is, it takes less than 15 minutes and the easiest tools ever to clean a microwave easily. Seriously, my microwave looks completely new. Try it out, you will be surprised!
What You'll Need
- Microwave-Safe Bowl: Any microwave-safe dish, bowl, or cup will do. Ensure it's not one that will get too hot, or use an oven mitt to handle it to avoid burning yourself.
- Sponge or Wash Cloth: You'll need to give the inside of the microwave a good scrub after steam cleaning it, so use a scrubby sponge or kitchen towel.
- Lemon: Lemon truly works magic as a deodorizer. You'll want the peel as well as the lemon juice itself, as the peel will have natural essential oil in it.
- Water: You'll need enough warm water added to the bowl that it will be able to boil. I use about one cup.
- Spray Cleaner or Dish Soap: Once the microwave is steam cleaned, a bit of dish soap or spray cleaner will be all it takes to finish up spot-cleaning the outside of the microwave.
- Paper Towel or Microfiber Cloth: Lastly, you'll need something absorptive to dry it all off!
Optionally, you can use baking soda and white vinegar for especially stubborn stains! This vinegar mixture is gentle enough not to damage surfaces while still being effective on stuck-on food.
What Not To Put in a Microwave
- Bleach: I never recommend putting bleach in anything that heats up. The fumes are dangerous and the smell permeates anything made in the microwave following. Never use bleach to clean your microwave!
- Other Harsh Chemicals: Harsh cleaning chemicals or abrasive cleaners can scratch the interior and exterior of a microwave. They're especially hard on the window of the microwave.
How to Clean a Microwave with Lemon
Cleaning a microwave with lemon is my personal favorite method of microwave cleaning! It leaves a lovely fresh scent and doesn't have that harsh heated vinegar tang. I recommend using lemon unless your microwave needs a true deep cleaning.
1: Juice Lemon
Pour water into a microwave-safe bowl, and squeeze half a lemon into it. Then place the squeezed lemon peel into the bowl.
2: Microwave!
Place the bowl of lemon juice and water in the microwave. Microwave for 4 minutes, letting the water boil. Don't be alarmed if it boils over!
3: Let Rest
Once the timer is up, let the microwave sit, closed, for another 5 minutes. This will let the steam seep into the stains, and helps the bowl cool down.
4: Wipe Down
Carefully remove the bowl. Take out the microwave turntable plate to scrub, or place it in the dishwasher if dishwasher-safe. Using a kitchen towel or sponge, wipe down the entire inside of your microwave, including the microwave door.
5: Spray Clean
If any stuck food or odors remain, spray down the inside of the microwave with spray cleaner or soapy water, and scrub thoroughly with a sponge. Spray the outside of your microwave and clean similarly.
6: Wipe Dry
Using a dry paper towel or microfiber cloth, wipe all surfaces dry and enjoy a clean, smell-free microwave!
How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar
Sometimes, microwaves are too far gone for the power of lemon alone. If the grime and stuck-on splatters are too much, it's time for the tried and true cleaning a microwave hack: vinegar. Cleaning a microwave with vinegar is the for-sure way to get off even the worst stains!
Luckily, white vinegar is cheap and commonly used as a cleaner, so it's easy to come by. However, I recommend adding baking soda in a small dish to the microwave afterwards to try and diffuse the harsh vinegar scent.
1: Mix Vinegar and Water
Pour water and 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl.
2: Microwave
Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 4 minutes. It's okay if it spills and boils over!
3: Let Rest
Once the timer is up, let the microwave sit, closed, for another 5 minutes. This will let the steam seep into the stains, and helps the bowl cool down.
4: Wipe Down
Remove the bowl. Take out the microwave turntable plate to scrub, or place it in the dishwasher if dishwasher-safe. Using a kitchen towel or sponge, wipe down the entire inside of your microwave, including the microwave door.
5: Spray Clean
If any stuck food or odors remain, spray down the inside of the microwave with spray cleaner, and scrub thoroughly with a sponge. Spray the outside of your microwave and clean similarly.
6: Wipe Dry
Using a dry paper towel or microfiber cloth, wipe all surfaces dry. Place a small dish of baking soda inside the microwave to absorb leftover vinegar aroma, and enjoy a clean, smell-free microwave!
More in my kitchen care series!
Cleaning a Microwave Oven Tips
- There's no need to go buy a fancy microwave cleaner. For almost all food spills and messes, water, lemon juice, a soft cloth, and spray cleaner will do the job. The secret is the steam!
- For thick grease, use dish soap on a sponge. I recommend classic Dawn dish soap, which always cuts grease exceptionally well. Wipe away the grease with a clean cloth or paper towel before continuing to clean.
- Make absolutely sure you're using a microwave-safe container! You'll be microwaving it for a long time.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes before you open the microwave door. Not only is this part of the cleaning process, but it also allows the bowl to cool down so you won't burn yourself.
- If the vents over the microwave filter are crusty, use a toothbrush or scrubby sponge to gently clean the surface. Don't use a spray bottle near the vents, you want to avoid getting liquid in there.
Isabel's Top Tip for Cleaning a Microwave
The best way to keep a microwave clean is to stay on top of any spills and messes! Make sure to wipe down the microwave any time you see spatters. I highly recommend getting a microwave-safe lid for especially spatter-prone foods like soup and beans!
FAQ
Yes! Range and free-standing microwaves can be cleaned with the same method. For range microwaves, you may need to separately wipe down the bottom surfaces, as they can collect grease from the stove.
Smelly microwaves are inevitable, but never underestimate the power of lemon oil. Microwaving lemon juice and water will remove almost all bad odors. I have found it much more effective than baking soda.
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If you enjoyed the guide, leave a comment below!
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