Different Ways to Clean Your Microwave

Different Ways to Clean Microwave

For more than 50 years, a microwave oven has become a piece of time-saving kitchen equipment that can be found in practically every kitchen. They are simple to use, quick, and convenient—but they can also get quite filthy. You are not alone if cleaning the microwave is the very last thing that comes to your mind. Most of us use microwaves on a daily basis and don’t realize how unclean they are until it becomes too much to bear. The longer you wait to clean it, much like every other kitchen gadget, the more difficult it will be.

Microwave Cleaning Tips

Consider the consequences of allowing your microwave to become too dirty if the nasty oil and filth inside your microwave aren’t enough to persuade you. Bacteria and other pathogens can thrive in a contaminated microwave. Food spills offer nutrition and moisture, and closing that filthy microwave door creates the ideal habitat for bacteria to thrive. A filthy microwave can cause persistent smells and possibly catch fire, in addition to health risks. The question then is how frequently you should clean the microwave to avoid these risks.

It relies on how frequently you utilize it and how cautious you are when cooking or reheating meals. It’s definitely time to clean your microwave if you open the door and smell anything unpleasant. If your microwave’s interior is caked with food spatter and baked-on filth, it’s time to clean it. If the notion of handling your microwave makes you squirm, you have to know how to properly clean a microwave straight away!

Here are some suggestions and strategies for solving this issue and prolonging the life of your microwave oven.

Use Lemon

Lemon, like vinegar, is an excellent natural disinfectant for microwave ovens. Simply cut a lemon in half and lay the cut side down over a microwavable dish. Place the dish in the microwave with a few tablespoons of water until steam appears. Remove the dish from the microwave and wipe away any extra liquid that’s all there is to it. Wipe off the interior and exterior of the microwave door.

Lemon as Microwave Cleaner

Vinegar and Water Mixture

Halfway fill a microwave-safe cup or dish with water. Put one spoonful of white vinegar into it. Microwave for five minutes on high. This will cause the microwave walls to steam up, loosening the dried-on muck. Take the glass container with care and use a clean towel or paper napkin to wipe off the interior of the microwave. Remove its turntable then wash it like any other dish. It can even be put in the dishwasher.

Vinegar and Water as microwave cleaner

Vinegar and Baking Soda 

Both components are affordable and readily available to most individuals. In four cups of warm water, dissolve four teaspoons of baking soda. You must mix it firmly to properly dissolve the powder. Wipe the interior of the microwave with a towel or sponge dipped in the mixture.

Vinegar and Water as microwave cleaner

In a microwave-safe container, combine equal parts of water and white vinegar. Put the container inside the microwave and heat on high for three minutes, then wait for the water to boil briskly. Close the microwave door for 10 minutes to let the steam do its thing. Remove the bowl, turntable, and carousel from the microwave by opening the door. While cleaning the microwave inside using your vinegar and water solution, soak the detachable parts in hot, soapy water.

Repeat until there is no more baking soda residue.

Baking Soda and Water Mixture

Make a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup water to remove cooked-on spills from your microwave’s surface or turntable. Allow it to settle for five minutes after applying it to the solidified mess. Wipe the baking soda clean with a damp sponge or cloth, then wipe away any remaining debris using a paper towel.

Water and baking soda as microwave cleaner

Use a Dishwashing Liquid

Warm the water in a microwave-safe basin. Put a generous amount of dishwashing liquid. Microwave the bowl for a minute, or until steam begins to form. Take out the bowl then wipe the interior of your microwave with a damp sponge. The steam will release all of the dried-on gunk, allowing you to clean your microwave with ease. Baking soda can also be used as a deodorizer in the bowl.

Dish Soap as Microwave Cleaner

Wet Paper Towel

Put a stack of soaking wet paper towels into your microwave oven and microwave it on maximum power for up to five minutes to clean it quickly. The towels’ steam will soften and release caked-on dirt. After the towels have cooled, use them to clean the surface.

Wet Paper Towel as Microwave Cleaner

Window Cleaner

Combine two cups of window cleaner and one cup of water in a mixing container. The diluted mixture is enough to clean the microwave’s interior and outside. Wipe the inside of the microwave with a sponge soaked in the mixture. Take the carousel and scrub the microwave’s base until all spots and stains are gone. To remove any dirt, clean the microwave vents from the inside. Before scrubbing, soak difficult spots and stains in the window cleaner mixture for five minutes. Because food tends to spill across the tops of the microwave, wipe clean the higher shelf and ceiling.

Window cleaner as Microwave Cleaner

Once the inside is gleaming, wash it down again with a fresh rag dipped in clean water. Because the fluid contains chemicals, this will guarantee that no residue remains. If any stubborn stains remain, wipe them using an olive oil-soaked towel. After cleaning out the device with a clean towel, let it dry. Look inside to check if you can smell the window cleaner. If this happens, wipe it out with a clean towel soaked in freshwater.

Commercial Cleaner

Several types of professional cleansers may effectively clean almost any filth in the microwave, but they usually leave behind strong, often unpleasant smells. The cleaner’s remaining residue might give your meals an unusual flavor.

Commercial Cleaner as Microwave Cleaner

If you must use a professional cleaner, choose one that is fume-free and keep the microwave’s door open for several hours once you’ve finished. Be careful when using commercial cleaning chemicals inside your microwave. Pre-soaked cleaning pads should never be used in the microwave since the loose grains will seize fire and explode.

Clean up the outside part of the microwave as a finishing touch, starting from the top, sides, back, and front. Reinstall the rotating element as well as the turntable after drying. Reconnect the microwave and it will be ready to use once more.

The more you utilize the microwave oven, the more often it has to be cleaned. If you want to maintain it appearing and smelling new, cleaning it at least once every few weeks seems to be a good idea.

FAQs About Microwave Cleaning

Q. Can Clorox wipes be used to clean a microwave?

Disinfecting wipes can be used to clean the microwave’s outer surfaces, but do not use wipes and bleach within the microwave since this could produce a chemical residue that could react with your food.

Q. What is the best way to deodorize a microwave?

To deodorize a microwave, mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with a cup of water inside a microwave-safe dish, microwave on high for about 5 to 10 minutes, then let cool before wiping off the inside using a clean sponge or soft cloth. Baking soda and vinegar mixture, water and lemon solution, or lemon juice, are other options.

Q. Why does my microwave have an odd odor?

The ghosts of dinners past in the shape of food splashes or spatters are the most unusual odors in a microwave, indicating that a thorough cleaning is required. A burning odor or smoke, on the other hand, suggests either a significant build-up of food debris or a dangerous wiring or electrical problem, and your machine should be disconnected and repaired right once.

Q. What is the best way to clear smoke from a microwave?

Allow 30 minutes to an hour for the unit to air out before placing a basin or dish filled with baking soda within and closing the door overnight otherwise until the following usage.

Q. What is the best way to clean a stained microwave?

Lemons, baking soda, and even vinegar are among the other non-toxic ingredients and procedures, that may be used to clean most microwave problems. However, for more tenacious stains, you may need to apply chemical acetone. Wear protective gloves and eyewear, and make sure to open the windows for airflow. Using acetone and a clean towel or sponge, massage the spots until completely gone. After removing the stains, thoroughly clean the inside with warm water as well as dish soap, then rinse thoroughly using clean water until no acetone odor remains.

Safety Cleaning Tips

  • To avoid any unfortunate mishaps, switch off as well as unplug the microwave before cleaning unless you need to utilize the heat to clean your equipment.
  • Never put anything metallic in your microwave. When cleaning your microwave, avoid using metallic brushes and such.
  • When utilizing water, be cautious. Microwaves are electric equipment, and if you aren’t careful when cleaning them with water, you risk destroying them.
  • Remove and clean the microwave’s turntable on a regular basis. It’s entirely okay to wash it by hand or in the dishwasher like any other plate. Simply let it dry completely before applying it again. And don’t forget to return it before someone uses your microwave.
  • When cooking food or liquids in the microwave, always use lids. It decreases splatter incidences, allowing you to go longer between cleanings.
  • When using the microwave, keep it at the lowest temperature possible to avoid spattering or scorching food. Remember to correctly operate your microwave not only to make cleaning easier but also to avoid kitchen mishaps.
  • When cleaning your microwave, avoid using harsh chemicals. Remember that you’re cooking food or drinks on your device, and you don’t want to consume those chemicals by accident.
  • Cleaning your microwave will not solve an internal problem. If the machine abruptly stopped operating, you should contact a professional. However, cleaning your equipment regularly can assist in maintaining it in good operating condition.

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Hellamaid is a top-rated cleaning company in Canada that’s changing the cleaning industry. Led by two engineers, Ahmed and Abdul,  Hellamaid is on a mission to make cleaning services a better experience for both ends of the market: homeowners and cleaners. We offer value to homeowners through easy online booking and impeccable customer service, while offering a flexible and well paid opportunity to our cleaning partners. Learn more about us here!

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