How to Clean Your Microwave Quickly and Easily with Natural Ingredients

Microwaves are kitchen workhorses, aren’t they? From reheating leftovers to popping popcorn for movie night, they handle so much daily. If you’re like me, you probably use your microwave multiple times a day. With all that use, it’s no surprise that microwaves can quickly become splattered, greasy, and let’s be honest, a bit smelly. Cleaning the microwave is often a chore we put off, but it doesn’t have to be a dreaded task!

Forget harsh chemicals and specialized cleaners. The secret to a sparkling clean microwave is likely already in your pantry. Using simple, natural ingredients like lemon, vinegar, and baking soda, you can easily steam clean and deodorize your microwave. These methods are not only effective at loosening grime and lifting stubborn stains, but they also save you time and money. Plus, you’ll avoid those unpleasant chemical smells lingering in your kitchen and on your food.

Let’s explore three simple yet powerful methods to get your microwave looking and smelling fresh using these pantry staples.

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Many people find the lemon method to be a favorite due to its fresh scent and readily available ingredient. Vinegar is another excellent option, especially convenient for a quick wipe down of the door and handle. For those tougher messes that need a bit more oomph, baking soda provides a gentle scrubbing power to tackle stubborn spots. And for those hard-to-reach corners? A simple cotton swab dipped in your cleaning solution can work wonders.

Each of these methods harnesses the power of steam to do the heavy lifting. By heating a mixture of water and your chosen cleaning agent, you create steam that penetrates and loosens dried food and grease. After a few minutes of steaming, grime wipes away effortlessly, leaving your microwave clean and refreshed.

Method 1: The Refreshing Lemon Steam Clean

This method is fantastic for leaving your microwave smelling citrusy fresh while effectively cleaning. Here’s how to use lemon to clean your microwave:

1. Prepare Lemon Water: Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup of water. Ensure the bowl is large enough to hold half a lemon and still allow the water to boil safely.
2. Cut and Juice the Lemon: Cut a lemon in half. Squeeze the juice from half of the lemon into the water. Don’t worry if a few seeds fall in.
3. Add Lemon Halves: Place both lemon halves into the bowl of water.
4. Microwave to Steam: Microwave the lemon water on high power for 3 minutes. The water should come to a rolling boil and steam up the microwave interior.
5. Let Steam Soak: Allow the lemon steam to sit inside the microwave for 5 minutes without opening the door. This steam is working to loosen all the grime.
6. Carefully Remove Bowl: Open the microwave door and carefully remove the hot bowl using a kitchen towel or oven mitt, as it will be very hot.
7. Remove and Clean Turntable: Take out the microwave turntable and any other removable parts like a microwave rack.
8. Wipe Interior Clean: Using a clean, soft cloth, wipe down the inside of the microwave. The lemon-infused steam should have loosened the built-up gunk, making it easy to wipe away. Pay attention to the top, sides, door interior, and bottom.
9. Clean Removable Parts: Wipe down the turntable and any other parts you removed before placing them back in the microwave.
10. Clean the Exterior: For the outside of the microwave door and handle, use a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water. Rinse the cloth with clean warm water and wipe again to remove any soap residue. Finally, dry with a clean towel to prevent water spots.

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Method 2: The Degreasing Power of Vinegar Steam

Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaner and deodorizer, perfect for cutting through grease and eliminating odors in your microwave. Here’s how to clean your microwave with vinegar:

1. Mix Vinegar and Water: In a microwave-safe container, combine 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar.
2. Microwave to Boil: Microwave the vinegar solution on high power for 3 minutes until it comes to a boil and steams up the microwave.
3. Steam Soak Time: Let the vinegar steam sit inside the closed microwave for 5 minutes.
4. Remove Bowl Carefully: Open the door and cautiously remove the hot container. Set it aside.
5. Remove Turntable: Take out the turntable and any other removable microwave components.
6. Wipe Down Interior: Use a clean cloth to wipe the interior surfaces of the microwave. The vinegar steam will have loosened the grease and grime, making it easy to wipe clean. Focus on the top, sides, inside of the door, and the base.
7. Clean and Replace Parts: Wipe the turntable and other removed parts clean and return them to the microwave.
8. Clean Exterior with Vinegar Solution: Dip your cleaning cloth back into the warm vinegar and water solution and wipe down the outside of the microwave door and handle. Dry the exterior with a clean, dry cloth to prevent streaks.

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Method 3: Baking Soda for Stubborn Stains and Odor Removal

Baking soda is your go-to for extra scrubbing power and tackling lingering odors. This method is great for microwaves that need a little extra attention.

1. Create Baking Soda Solution: In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir until the baking soda is mostly dissolved.
2. Microwave and Steam: Microwave the baking soda solution on high for 3 minutes until boiling.
3. Soak with Steam: Let the steam from the baking soda solution sit in the microwave for 5 minutes.
4. Carefully Remove Bowl: Open the microwave and carefully remove the hot bowl.
5. Remove Removable Parts: Take out the microwave turntable and any other removable parts.
6. Wipe Interior Clean: Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave. The baking soda steam will have loosened grime and helped to deodorize. Wipe all interior surfaces including the top, sides, door, and bottom. For stubborn spots, you can dip your cloth in the baking soda solution for a little extra cleaning power.
7. Wash and Dry Turntable: Wash the turntable and other removable parts in warm, soapy water to remove any baking soda residue. Dry them thoroughly and return them to the microwave.
8. Clean Exterior: Wipe the outside of the microwave door and handle with a cloth dampened in warm, soapy water. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth to remove soap, and dry with a clean towel.

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Cleaning your microwave doesn’t have to be a chore. With these simple steam cleaning methods using lemon, vinegar, or baking soda, you can easily keep your microwave clean, fresh, and ready for your next meal. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a naturally clean microwave!