Microwaves are essential appliances in homes, and they make heating leftover food easy. After heating a plate of food or a burnt bag of popcorn your microwave is turned into a greasy, smelly mess. Whether you have a top-of-the-range microwave or a countertop microwave, it must be cleaned regularly to remove food spills, grease, and odours. Your microwave is one of the appliances that should be cleaned with the other appliances on your counters in your kitchen cleaning routine. If you notice smudges and splatters of food inside your microwave, you should follow these cleaning tips for the most suitable way to clean your microwave so you can enjoy tasty warm food for years to come. Also, if you have a stainless steel microwave, you should read our article on how to clean stainless steel for the best way to clean your stainless steel appliances.
How To Clean Inside A Microwave
Smells and spills make your microwave look like it’s seen better days; restore your microwave to its former glory with these 4 simple steps:
- Start by combining 1 cup of water and lemon, lime, or orange juice, squeezed straight from the fruit, in a microwave-safe bowl. If you have white or apple cider vinegar in the cupboard, mix a couple of tablespoons and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Next, place the bowl inside the microwave and set it on high power for several minutes until the mixture boils and the microwave window steams up.
- Allow the inside of your microwave to cool for 5 minutes before opening the door. Once the time has passed, remove the bowl and wipe the inner walls and door clean with a sponge.
- Clean the exterior of your microwave by wiping it with a microfiber cloth and cleaning solution. Be careful not to let any liquid get into the vents or fans and wipe down all the surfaces with damp paper towels to remove residue.
How To Clean A Greasy Door
- Clean the entire door with a damp sponge dipped in baking soda. Then, use a damp cloth to rinse the door.
- If your microwave has a greasy window, mix equal parts water and vinegar to clean the window. Make sure to rinse and dry.
- For grease build-up or stuck-on food splatters, you should clean the microwave door with an all-purpose, grease-cutting cleaner, or mix of dish soap and water. Apply the solution with a cloth to stop the cleaner from getting into vent holes. Then scrub with a non-scratch sponge if necessary. Keep in mind that you should never spray electric controls directly with a cleaner. Instead, simply apply the cleaner to a cloth and then wipe the controls.
How To Keep Your Microwave Clean
If you don’t want to have to deep clean your microwave, use these handy tips to keep messes under control.
- Remove your microwave turntable and food cover once every few days and wash them in the sink.
- Try to wipe down the controls and exterior of the microwave daily.
- Use lower power settings when warming up foods that are likely to spill.
- Cover food in your microwave with a food cover to contain splatters.
- For foods that tend to bubble over a bowl, place the bowl on top of a plate before placing it inside the microwave.
- Wipe up spills straight away.
- Leave the microwave door open between uses to reduce odours and moisture.
Safety Reminders And Tips
- Before cleaning your microwave, turn it off and unplug it to avoid possible accidents, unless you need the power for cleaning.
- Never place metallic items into the microwave. Also, don’t use steel wool and the like for scrubbing your microwave.
- Take extra care when using water – microwaves are electric units that can be damaged and even cause harm to you if you’re not particularly careful when using any liquid to clean your microwave.
- Every few days, remove and clean the microwave turntable. It can be washed by hand with a sponge, and some dish soap and water, or placed in the dishwasher. Be sure to let it dry completely before placing it back inside the microwave, and also don’t forget to put it back inside before someone else heats something in the microwave.
- Always use a plate cover or a lid to cover your food. This will reduce splatters and minimise the time you have to spend cleaning your microwave.
- It’s best to avoid using strong chemicals when cleaning a microwave. As you heat foods and drinks in the unit, you don’t want strong chemicals contaminating your food.
So there’s your simple, effective guide for cleaning your microwave. If you have a busy lifestyle and struggle to find the time to keep your microwave and kitchen clean, at SweepSouth, we offer professional cleaning services for your home, and you’ll never have to worry about cleaning your microwave or kitchen again.