Microwaves are a convenient way to heat up food. Unfortunately, they can also leave behind some less-than-desirable smells and residue if not cleaned often. Fortunately, cleaning your microwave is a simple task that you can complete in just a few minutes. Even if the inside of the door looks like it’s been hit by a snowstorm, cleaning it isn’t as hard as you might think. There are many different approaches for cleaning your microwave; however, some methods work better than others. Depending on how often you use your microwave, cleaning it every day may not be feasible for you — or even advisable. However, there are some simple techniques that will keep your appliance smelling fresh and new between deep cleanings. So check out this easy guide to cleaning the inside of your microwave!
What You’ll Need
While specific products aren’t necessary for cleaning a microwave, some things will make the job a little easier. Squeegee – A squeegee can help you wipe up any spilled water quickly and easily. Sponge – A sponge can be used to wipe down the inside of the microwave and mop up any water from spills. Cleaning rag – A cleaning rag can be used to wipe down the microwave and remove any stubborn stains or stuck-on gunk. Scrub brush – A scrub brush can be useful for scrubbing off stuck-on food, melted chocolate, and other messes. Toothbrush – A toothbrush can be used to scrub away any stuck-on food or grime on or around the vents.
Step 1: Scrape the interior
When you first open the microwave, you’ll likely notice some food and grime inside. Use a sponge or a cleaning rag to wipe away as much as you can. Depending on how bad the interior is, you may also want to use a scraper to remove any caked-on food. However, be careful not to scratch the microwave with your scraper. If you do scratch the microwave, you can find some great cleaning tips below! Once you’ve removed as much stuck-on food as possible, wipe down the interior with water and a sponge to remove any leftover grime. Then, wipe the inside down with a dry rag to avoid any water stains on the microwave.
Step 2: Mix baking soda and vinegar
The best way to clean your microwave is with a 2-ingredient solution that you probably already have at home. This mixture is great for cleaning any stubborn stains and smells from the microwave. It’s also incredibly cheap and easy to make — you just need vinegar and baking soda. Baking soda is a great cleaner because it not only cleans stains and odors, but it also deodorizes. Vinegar is a great natural cleaner that can kill bacteria and neutralize odors. Baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean almost every area of the microwave. You can use the mixture to wipe down the microwave, the door, and even the inside of the vents
Step 3: Add a little soap
If you’ve tried the baking soda and vinegar trick but still have stubborn stains on the microwave, you can add a little dish soap to the mixture to make it stronger. Using a bit of soap with vinegar can help break down stubborn stains. Make sure to use a natural soap to avoid harming your microwave’s finish. Alternatively, you can use a cleaning spray with bleach to clean the microwave. However, you should avoid cleaning with bleach too often as it can cause permanent damage to the microwave’s finish.
Step 4: Add vinegar again
Once you’ve wiped down the microwave with baking soda and vinegar, you’ll likely notice some white residue on the inside of the microwave. This is from the baking soda. If you want to avoid having to scrub off that residue, you can wipe down the microwave again with a mixture of vinegar and water. This will help break down the residue from the baking soda and leave the microwave sparkling clean.
Final Words
Microwaves are incredibly useful appliances, but they can get dirty quickly. Luckily, cleaning the microwave is a simple task that you can complete in just a few minutes. One of the best ways to clean the microwave is with a 2-ingredient mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This mixture is great for cleaning any stubborn stains and smells from the microwave. It’s also really cheap and easy to make. If you have a tough stain to clean, you can also add a bit of dish soap to the mixture to make it stronger. Alternatively, you can use a cleaning spray with bleach to clean the microwave. However, you should avoid cleaning with bleach too often as it can cause permanent damage to the microwave’s finish. Once you’ve cleaned the microwave, you can rest assured knowing it will be fresh and clean for ready for its next use.