A simple luxury in the kitchen, can become a big mess very fast. How do you keep your microwave clean?
In the past, we have talked about refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves and ovens, kitchen floors, carpet flooring, and much more! Well, what about microwaves?
These little machines are genius when heating up food for your kids, or when you’re in a hurry and in need of something to eat. The problem with these genius gadgets is the fact that they can never stay clean. Microwaves can become a greasy, slimy mess within a matter of seconds.
How can you keep your microwave clean?
I have found the perfect list for this dilemma from homemadesimple.com. They have found 9 true ways to clean your microwave from the inside out (including stubborn popcorn and spicy smells). Homemadesimple.com found that most grease and grime will loosen when steam is involved in the cleaning process, so this will be the base idea for most of their suggestions.
1. Freshly squeezed, microwaved lemonade!
I know, this does not sound appetizing at all, but good thing you don’t need to drink it! Home Made Simple suggests to “fill a measuring cup with a cup of water, cut a lemon in half, squeeze its juice into the measuring cup, then drop the two halves in.” After filling the measuring cup, place the cup in the microwave for a few minutes, or until it boils, then let it sit in the microwave with the door shut for a few extra minutes. This will trap the steam in the microwave and loosen those stubborn food particles and stains. After a few minutes, wipe everything out!
2. Wet paper towels.
This is a much easier way of cleaning, without having to use extra products. Get a couple paper towels wet and microwave them for a few minutes. Once the microwave is finished, let the paper towels sit until they have cooled off. Once cooled, take the paper towels and wipe down your microwave.
3. Clean sponge.
This is very similar to the wet paper towel option, except using a sponge! Take a clean, wet sponge and put it in the microwave for a few minutes. After a few minutes, let the sponge cool. Once it has cooled down enough to handle, dip the sponge in some clean, warm water, and dish soap and scrub away. Home Made Simple suggests using Dawn Dish Soap, but any dish soap you have will work just as well.
4. Vinegar.
The one and only household cleaner for almost any mess, vinegar! “Spray 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, wipe down with a sponge.”
5. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
I swear, this little sponge can clean every little mark or mess up. It is amazing! Take your Magic Eraser, get it wet, ring out the excess water, and start scrubbing! Home Made Simple suggests using the Magic Eraser when dealing with foods that are caked on.
6. Baking Soda.
Along with the vinegar, this is another household item that works on almost anything! For cleaning your microwave, make a paste with the baking soda. Place the paste on those stubborn spills and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then wipe it off with a sponge, towel, or cloth.
Nasty smell in your microwave? Try these!
7. Baking Soda.
Another baking soda must try! Instead of making a paste, put baking soda in a bowl and leave it in your microwave overnight. This will eliminate those pesky smells.
8. Odor Eliminator
Depending on the smell (burnt popcorn), simply just putting baking soda in a bowl may not eliminate that smell. Using an odor eliminator on strong smells will trap and remove smells. This may need to be repeated, but the smell will go away soon. Most odor eliminators can be found in stores or online.
Don’t forget about the outside!
9. Looking the part.
The outside of your microwave is just as important as the inside! If the inside of your microwave is clean, make sure the outside matches. Any of the cleaning techniques we discussed above, will work for the exterior as well.
Keep your microwave looking and smelling clean!