How to Clean Your Microwave

Get rid of the grime and splatters with a few tips on how to clean your microwave. Skip the harsh chemicals with natural cleaning and deodorizing methods!

Tips on How to Clean Your Microwave

Much like cleaning your gas grill, a dirty microwave is generally one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind chores. That is, until you need to heat something up and you open the door to expose the ugly truth. It doesn’t take long for food to splatter and stick to the walls, ceiling, and door of your microwave. Cleaning it up is done in a snap with these simple tips.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

When heating food in the microwave, cover it first with plastic wrap or a piece of paper towel. When food heats quickly, it can sometimes pop, causing messy splatters all over the inside of the oven. There are also reusable vented splatter guards you can use to cover your food when heating in the microwave.

Daily Wipe Down

You wash your dishes daily, wipe down your counters, and clean off your stovetop. Why not the inside of the microwave? It’s closed, that’s why. Make an effort to include the inside of your microwave in your daily routine to keep it sparkling clean. If that’s out of the question for you, make it a weekly habit to prevent build-up.

Steam: Simple Yet Effective

Cleaning the microwave doesn’t mean you have to haul out the hammer and chisel, or even the harsh chemical cleaners from under the sink. There’s a simple solution that takes just a few minutes and costs almost nothing. Fill a glass bowl or 4-cup measuring cup half full with water. Place inside the microwave and heat on high for 5 minutes. Leave the door shut for a few minutes more to allow the steam to really do its thing. Use oven mitts to carefully remove the container of hot water. Use a paper towel or damp sponge to wipe the walls, ceiling, and door of the microwave. The grime and stuck-on food particles should wipe out easily.

Try one of these options for deodorizing:

• Add one tablespoon of white vinegar to the water before heating. Vinegar has a very strong smell, only one tablespoon is all you need!
• Place a tablespoon of water on a microwave-safe plate. Halve a lemon and place it cut-side down on the plate. Heat for 1 minute. Remove lemons and continue with the water heating method above.
• Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the water before heating.
• Add 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice to the water before heating if you don’t have fresh lemons.

Safety First

Mishandling hot water from the microwave can result in uncomfortable burns. To be safe always:

• Use oven mitts to remove the dish of hot water from the oven.
• Use a bowl or measuring cup with a wide opening, which allows steam to escape. Pent up steam can have explosive results.
• Stand clear of the microwave door while heating.

Stuck-on messes are much more difficult to remove than fresh splatters. A daily wipe down of your appliances not only keeps your kitchen looking clean and fresh, it keeps bacteria at bay as well. This high-traffic appliance needs a little TLC – if you don’t have time to wipe it down daily, a weekly clean will do the trick as well.

More Tips and Tricks

• Slow Cooker 101
• How to Clean Your Gas Grill
• 13 Ways to Use A Food Processor
• 21 Kitchen Gadgets You Will Actually Use