Microwave ovens are a staple in any modern household. It not only makes reheating leftovers simple but also makes excellent and quick dinners. However, cleaning out a particularly filthy microwave is something that no homeowner wants to undertake. Nevertheless, you must do so regularly to keep the unit in good working order. Thus, this also helps to ensure that your food tastes as it should.
You can clean it in a few simple steps, unlike a conventional oven. Here are some cool techniques to fully clean your oven without risking harm. It does not count whether you have a countertop or a built-in machine.
Henceforth, we will share a few pointers on how to overcome this obstacle of cleaning your microwave oven. Meanwhile, we shall also ensure that it lasts a long time.
How To Clean a Microwave In 11 Steps
Step 1:
In a safe bowl, pour 1 cup of water. Subsequently, you can add 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2-3 citrus pieces. If your oven is very filthy, you can use both as well.
Step 2:
To get rid of the stinky smell, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the solution. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that will eliminate any unpleasant odor.
Step 3:
Keep a wooden skewer or a spoon in your bowl to keep the liquid from becoming too hot. Thus, it eliminates the possibility of the bowl bursting during the heating process.
Step 4:
Allow the solution to boil for 5 minutes in the microwave on high. Additionally, you will be able to clean it adequately with the steam it produces.
Step 5:
Wait for 5 to 10 minutes after it gets over. Thus, this allows the steam to melt the filth. Do not jump into things too quickly.
Step 6:
Using a glove, carefully remove the bowl and turntable from the oven. Using soapy water, thoroughly clean the turntable and set it aside. If you find it too greasy, simply soak it in soapy water.
Step 7:
Remove stains from the interior of your oven with a cloth or sponge. Additionally, rub the bottom, top, and sides of the door well. Dip the cloth into the solution you created before and then clean it for tough stains.
Step 8:
After cleansing the interior, dry it by wiping all surfaces with a cloth. Subsequently, place the turntable inside the oven now.
Step 9:
Wring out a cloth that has been soaked in soapy water. Wipe the exterior panel and the top of the oven with the cloth. Use the same cloth to cover the sides.
Step 10:
To remove the soap residue, use a clean wet towel. Additionally, you can also dampen the cloth with hot or cold water and wring out the excess water.
Step 11:
To absorb moisture and restore its appearance, rub a dry towel over the exterior.
If you do not have vinegar, you can also use acetone as an alternative to remove stains. Otherwise, clean with a disinfectant or a vinegar and baking soda solution that is constant.
How To Clean a Microwave From Stains
Unlike other kitchen equipment, you can clean a microwave oven with common household cleaning supplies. Those include an all-purpose cleaner, baking soda, dish soap, or vinegar (white or apple cider). Yes, stay away from bleach, since it weakens the appliance’s plastic interior and harms it in the long run. Microwaves, unlike most counters and sinks, rarely discolor unless tomato sauce splatters sit for too long. Therefore, the whitening cleanser is unnecessary, to begin with.
Make sure you unplug the power line at first before using any of these cleaning approaches. In addition, now is a good scope to look over the cord for any dirt or damage. This could potentially lead to a fire hazard. If it is in good form, clean off the accumulated dust and debris inside.
After that, look inside your microwave oven to see where the dirty spots are. Besides, you should also determine which, if any, parts are detachable. Thus, this will enable you to pre-treat the most difficult things and aid in the entire cleaning procedure.
How To Clean a Microwave with Paper Towels
Place a handful of soaking wet paper towels inside your oven. Further, run it on high power for up to 5 minutes to clean it quickly. The towels’ steam will soften and release caked-on dirt. After the towels cool, you can use them to clean the interior.
How To Clean a Microwave with Baking Soda
Make a mixture with two parts baking soda and one part water. Thus, this will help to remove cooked-on spills from your oven’s floor or platter. Allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes after applying it to the solidified mess. Wipe the baking soda clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Further, wipe away any remaining residue with a dry paper towel.
How To Clean a Microwave with Vinegar
Fill water halfway in a microwave-safe glass or bowl. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the mix. Microwave for five minutes on high. This will cause the oven walls to steam up, loosening the dried-on muck. Remove the glass container with care. Moreover, use a clean rag or paper towel to wipe off the interior of the oven. Remove the turntable and wash it in the same manner as a dish. Likewise, you can even wash it in the dishwasher.
How To Clean a Microwave with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Both the above ingredients are affordable as well as readily available to most individuals. In a quart of warm water, dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Hence, make sure to mash and stir the powder thoroughly to ensure that it dissolves entirely. Additionally, wipe the interior of the microwave with a cloth or sponge dipped in the mixture.
In a safe bowl, combine equal parts of both water and white vinegar. Further, place the bowl in the oven and cook on high for three minutes, or until the water boils rapidly. Close the microwave door for 10 minutes next to allow the steam to do its thing. Now, remove the bowl, turntable, and carousel from the oven by opening the door. While you clean its interior with the vinegar and water solution, soak the removable components in hot, soapy water.
Thus, repeat this procedure until there is no more baking soda residue.
How To Clean a Microwave with a Lemon
Slice a lemon in half and place cut-side down on a microwave-safe plate. Add a tablespoon of water to it. Microwave for 1 minute, or when the lemon is warm and the oven is steaming. Further, use clean paper towels to wipe down the inside. In addition, the lemon works well as a natural, organic waste disposal cleaning. Likewise, cut the lemon pieces into smaller slices and run them through the machine with lots of water.
How To Clean a Microwave with a Dish Soap
Warm the water in a microwave-safe basin. Dishwashing soap should be used in large quantities. Microwave the bowl for at least a minute, or until steam begins to form. Remove the bowl from the equation. Wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge. The steam will release all of the dried-on gunk, thus allowing you to clean your oven with ease. Besides, you can also use baking soda as a deodorizer in the bowl.
How To Clean a Microwave with a Window Cleaner
Combine two parts of a window cleaner solution and one part of the water in a mixing dish. The diluted solution is sufficient to clean the oven interior and outside. Further, wipe the inside of the microwave with a sponge soaked in the mixture. Remove the carousel and scrub the microwave’s base until all spots and stains have gone. To eliminate any debris, clean the microwave vents from the inside. Before scrubbing, soak difficult stains and spots in the window cleaner solution for 5 minutes though. Likewise, food tends to spill onto the top of the oven. Hence, make sure you wipe down the oven’s higher shelf and ceiling.
After the interior starts gleaming, wash it down again with a fresh rag dipped in clean water. Since the fluid contains chemicals, this will ensure that no residue remains. Despite this, if a few stubborn stains remain, wipe them with an olive oil-soaked cloth. After wiping out the device with a clean rag, let it dry. Nonetheless, you can smell the inside to see if you can detect the odor of a window cleaner. If this happens, wipe it out with a clean towel soaked in fresh water.
How To Clean a Microwave with a Commercial Cleanser
Several types of commercial cleaners can effectively clean any filth in your oven. However, they usually leave behind thick, often unpleasant smells. Moreover, the cleaner’s residue can also leave an off-putting taste in your food.
If you need to use a commercial cleanser at all, choose one that is fume-free. Additionally, keep the door open for a few hours after you have finished cleaning. While using commercial cleaning chemicals inside your microwave, please be cautious. Remember to never use pre-soaked cleaning pads in the oven, since the loose particles can catch fire and explode anytime.
Further, wipe down the exterior of the oven as the last touch. Start with the top, then the sides, back, and finally the front. In addition, replace the turning element and the turntable after drying them out. Reconnect the oven and it will be ready for further use.
How To Clean a Microwave From Inside
The splatters and odors might make your oven look a little scruffy from the inside. Follow these simple steps to target the interior of your microwave, including the turntable.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup water and lemon, lime, or orange slices. Make sure you squeeze juice from these fruit slices into the water. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water. If you have white or apple cider vinegar on hand, add a couple of tablespoons to the bowl.
- Place this in the oven and cook on high for a few minutes. Continue doing so until the mixture boils and the window steams up.
- Allow for 5 minutes of cooling before opening the door. Further, remove the bowl and clean the inside with a sponge.
How To Clean a Microwave Door
The following tips will help you in removing smudges and oil from the outside of your microwave as well.
- With a sponge wet with water and dipped in a little baking soda, clean the entire door. Make sure you clean the edges, both sides, and where it seals the oven. To rinse, use a moist towel or sponge.
- Clean a greasy window with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Get up and dry off.
- Wipe off your oven door if there is a lot of grease build-up. Use an all-purpose grease-cutting cleaner or a sudsy mix of dish soap and water for the same. However, to prevent the cleanser from getting into the vent openings, apply it with a cloth or sponge. To avoid harm to electrical controls, do not spray them with cleaning.
How To Clean a Microwave Smell
When you microwave popcorn, the smell returns as soon as you switch the oven back on. Hence, you should try to get rid of the stink as soon as possible.
- For light odors: Air it out by leaving the door open. Else, place a bowl of baking soda inside with the door closed to absorb light scents.
- For pungent odors: Clean any leftover residue and insert an odor-absorbing gel inside.
How To Clean a Microwave From Food
Place the turntable in the dishwasher. Otherwise, wash it by hand with sudsy water to remove dried-on food adhered to it. Nonetheless, just make sure you have thoroughly read your owner’s manual beforehand.