We use the microwave for almost every meal of the day. It still amazes me what it can heat in one minute or less. We use it to warm up pancakes for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, and then for when my teen needs to warm up his dinner after soccer practice, or have a second dinner before bed.
I used to dread cleaning the microwave. I didn’t want to stock a specific cleaner for it, yet wiping it down with a warm cloth didn’t get rid of the grease or unsavory scent that emanates from a dirty microwave. As you can imagine, with such heavy usage, my microwave needs a good scrubbing more often than I wish. What to do?
For the Best Cleaners, Look in Your Pantry
It turns out that cleaning the microwave is actually quick, easy, and satisfying (at least to me).
You can achieve sparkling clean results by using common, inexpensive pantry ingredients. The methods below use whole lemon, vinegar, and baking soda, along with the power of steam, to clean and deodorize the microwave. These ingredients loosen grime and lift stains without any scrubbing, simply wipe with a clean cloth.
I usually use the whole lemon method. I like the lemon scent and usually have a lemon sitting around that I need to use up. The vinegar method is convenient as well because I can dip my cloth in the vinegar mixture and wipe the microwave door and handle without adding an extra step. I like the baking soda method for those times when I need a little extra scrubbing power. I like dipping my cloth in the solution and wiping the tough-to-remove spots. If you’re having trouble cleaning hard to reach areas, use a cotton swab. My corners are much cleaner once I learned that trick.
Each method mixes water with either lemon, vinegar, or baking soda and brings it to a boil. Then the mixture sits in the microwave and continues to steam and deodorize. After 5 minutes, remove the container from the microwave.
After cleaning the inside, don’t forget the outside of the microwave. Finish cleaning the microwave by wiping down the door and handle with a clean cloth dipped in a mixture of mild dish detergent and warm water. Then dampen the cloth with warm water and wipe again to remove the dish soap. Dry with a clean towel to prevent water spots.
That’s it! You did it! Your microwave looks, and smells fresh and clean, and is ready for another day of keeping you and your family fed one minute at a time.
Method 1: Whole Lemon and Water
Fill a microwave-safe container with 1/2 cup water. Make sure the container is large enough to fit the whole lemon, while leaving room for the water to boil.
Cut a lemon in half.
Squeeze half the lemon juice into the water. It’s okay if you get some seeds in the water.
Add both lemon halves into the bowl and microwave on high power for 3 minutes. The water should come to a boil.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Open the door and carefully remove the container.
Remove the tray and any other removable parts.
Use a clean, dry cloth and wipe the inside of the microwave. The steam and citric acid from the lemon will have loosened the gunk and it will wipe right off. Wipe the top, sides, inside of the door, and bottom of the microwave.
Wipe off the tray and any other parts and return them to the microwave.
Wipe the outside of the door and the handle with warm soapy water. Rinse the cloth and wipe again to remove the dish soap. Dry the front with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
Method 2: Vinegar and Water Method
Fill a microwave safe container with 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar.
Microwave on high power for 3 minutes. The solution should come to a boil.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Open the door and carefully remove the container. Set aside.
Remove the tray and any other removable parts.
Use a clean, dry cloth and wipe the inside of the microwave. The steam and acid from the vinegar will have loosened the gunk and it will wipe right off. Wipe the top, sides, inside of the door, and bottom of the microwave.
Wipe off the tray and any other parts and return them to the microwave.
Dip the cloth in the bowl of vinegar and water and wipe the outside of the door and the handle. Dry the front with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
Method 3: Baking Soda and Water Method
Fill a microwave safe container with 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine.
Microwave on high power for 3 minutes. The water should come to a boil.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Open the door and carefully remove the container.
Remove the tray and any other removable parts.
Use a clean, dry cloth and wipe the inside of the microwave. The steam and baking soda will have loosened the gunk and deodorized the microwave and it will wipe right off. Wipe the top, sides, inside of the door, and bottom of the microwave.
Wash the tray in warm soapy water to remove the baking soda residue. Dry and return the removable parts to the microwave.
Wipe the outside of the door and the handle with warm soapy water. Rinse the cloth and wipe again to remove the dish soap. Dry the front with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
