Even if you religiously put a paper towel over items when you microwave them, the microwave still manages to get dirty. Or maybe you were lazy and, oops, made a mess.
Cleaning a microwave is a relatively easy thing. Except when the gunk inside is gummy or cooked onto the surface (tomato sauce and eggs are the worst).
I personally hate to use chemicals to clean the inside of my microwave — I worry the chemicals then get infused into my food.
So I asked some friends how they clean this handy appliance. A few friends shared this helpful method. I tried it. And it definitely works! The best part is that it uses natural cleaning agents you probably already have at home.
Materials Needed
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Vinegar (2 tablespoons)
- Sponge, paper towels or cloth
- 1 lemon, halved
Cleaning Instructions
- Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1-2 cups of water
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar
- Squeeze in a lemon, drop 1/2 of lemon into the bowl
- Place the bowl in the microwave
- Turn on microwave for 5 minutes
- Once complete, let sit for 2 minutes (to let steam loosen grime)
- Remove turntable, wipe clean
- Wipe inside of microwave clean with sponge, paper towel or cloth
Here’s our simple how-to video:
No scrubbing needed! This method is so simple and easy.
If your microwave’s window is still looking greasy, Good Housekeeping recommends wiping it down with a 50-50 mix of vinegar and water. GH also points out that a little bit of baking soda on a wet sponge should help remove gunk from the rubber gasket on your microwave’s door.
There are other methods that don’t use harsh chemicals and don’t require a lot of elbow grease on your part. One similar trick: You can microwave a bowl of water with dish soap, too. Just don’t let it boil over.
With tricks this easy, there’s no need to put it off — let’s get cleaning!