Is your microwave a nasty mess of food splatters? Then, it's time to clean your appliance thoroughly. However, it doesn't mean you have to wait until your microwave is grimy to clean it; the following method works for routine cleaning too!
Here's how to clean your microwave oven and get rid of odors in no time.
What happens when you don't clean the microwave?
If the stink isn't enough reason to give your microwave a good scrub, think about the tons of germs that breed on the stuck-on food.
You'd be risking infection if one of those chunks of old, dried-up cheese or tomato paste fell on your reheated dinner, not to mention the chances of the food residue catching on fire!
How to deep clean a microwave oven
The following method will take care of grime and odors from your microwave. It's also cost-effective since you won't need to buy special supplies. Besides, you can forget about repeating the whole task anytime soon—a light wiping once a week will do.
To deep clean your microwave oven, you'll need:
- A sponge.
- White vinegar.
- Distilled water.
- A spray bottle.
- A microfiber cloth.
Part #1. Heat the sponge in the microwave
It may sound crazy, but heating a sponge to clean the microwave has proven effective. Thanks to the heat, the sponge releases enough steam to help you loosen up residue on the microwave's walls.
Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Let the sponge absorb around a quarter of a cup of water.
- Step 2: Heat the sponge for one minute on the high setting.
- Step 3: Remove the sponge after a five-minute cooldown.
Don't forget: Never try this method without dampening the sponge—it can catch on fire.
Part #2. Clean the inside with white vinegar
Once the food splatters have been softened with steam, you can dissolve them with white vinegar. This household product is effective thanks to its acid properties, which are enough to break down layers of dirt.
Here are the steps:
- Step 1: Unplug your microwave oven and remove the glass turntable. To clean the turntable, you can hand wash it and let it dry in a dish rack.
- Step 2: Add the water and white vinegar in equal parts inside your spray bottle. Shake well and spray it inside the microwave.
- Step 3: Use the microfiber cloth to wipe the interior.
- Step 4: Let the microwave dry. Then, place the turntable back inside.
Part #3. Clean the outside
Now that the inner part of the microwave is clean, it's time to wipe the outside surface too! You don't need another cleaning solution to take care of fingerprints and grime from the handles; the vinegar solution is enough for this part.
Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Spray a gentle amount of vinegar solution on your microwave door and sides.
- Step 2: Wipe the timer window in swift motions, from left to right. Then, buff the keypad off from any fingerprints and grime.
- Step 3: Wipe the rest of the appliance.
- Step 4: Lastly, wash the turntable in the sink with soapy water, rinse, and let it dry.
Note: Wipe in the direction of the grain if your microwave oven has a stainless steel finish.
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