How to clean your microwave with vinegar or lemon
The microwave is one of those appliances that is easy to forget to clean. Since the door is almost always closed the nastiness that lurks inside can go unnoticed for quite some time.
Luckily the microwave can be cleaned in about 5 minutes with only plain water and very minimal effort. Even if your microwave is like mine with gross caked on food seemingly baked into the walls, I promise you this will only take 5 minutes.
Microwaving cleaning hack
An easy way to prevent a big mess in the microwave is to get a microwave plate cover. You place it over your food before you turn the microwave on and it will catch any splatter so that it doesn't get on the walls or ceiling of the microwave.
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Check out a microwave plate cover I like on Amazon by clicking here.
Cleaning instructions
- Take a microwave safe bowl and fill it with water. Add a dash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice. Set it in inside and turn the microwave on for 2 minutes. The water will turn to steam and the steam will soften up all the gunk. The vinegar helps to absorb the smells.
- While it's cooking give the outside a quick wipe down and then go do something else for 4 more minutes until it's done. You can let the microwave sit for a few more minutes to let the steam penetrate even more if you like.
- Be really careful when opening the microwave and taking the bowl out. The water will be extremely hot. Wipe down the walls with a damp cloth and remove the plate from the inside. Rinse it in the sink with hot soapy water. Put the plate back in and voila, a nice squeaky clean microwave ready for the next person to cook something and forget to cover it!
You may also like: How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave
How to Clean Your Microwave
How to clean your microwave with two ingredients in two minutes
Materials
- Microwave
- Bowl
- Water
- Vinegar- 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Fill a bowl with water and vinegar.
- Place in microwave uncovered.
- Turn on microwave on high power for 2 minutes.
- Let hot steam form in microwave for 2 minutes before you open the door.
- Remove bowl carefully.
- Wipe down interior of microwave with wash cloth.
Hi I’m Adrienne Carrie Hubbard. I believe a rich life comes not from the things you have, but the things you do; the experiences you create and the people you meet along the way. Thanks for hanging out!
Anonymous says
I never tried vinegar but i also use a coffee cup filled with water till it boils.
Sonia says
Definitely, better with lemmon: smells better and you can recycle the old pieces of it! 😉
Anonymous says
Thanks, Michelle...gonna run some vinegar thru my HE washer now.
Anonymous says
I have always done the same thing, but used lemon juice instead of vinegar.
Michelle Gonzalez says
This also works with your HE washer. Add 1 capful of vinegar to your detergent compartment and start wash just like a normal load (empty washer of course)! I do this at least once a month and it is better and cheaper than the actual cleaners for the HE washers they sell.
Anonymous says
Be careful using only water. It can become extremely hot and super heat. This can cause the water to pop and spray water that can cause 3rd degree burns.
Anonymous says
I always use lemons and wipe it out every time I use it
Anonymous says
This worked wonders in my microwave!!!! it was such an easy clean up. Thanks for the advice! I love cleaning with vinegar versus other chemicals and so you just added to my list of jobs vinegars conquers!
Tracy H says
I have used this method for years. First I ran some vinegar water through my coffee maker to clean it. While the water is still hot I transfer it to a glass bowl then set it in the microwave, shut the door and let the steam do it's work while I turn my coffee maker off and rinse the carafe. After a few minutes go back to the microwave and heat the vinegar water for another minute or two then carefully remove using oven mitt(just as you would with anything hot). Everything wipes out easily.
Anonymous says
tired it worked vinegar dint remove smells an now the kitchen smells terrible! bad move lemon next time we grow as we learn ^_^
ThreadArtist says
Usually I just put in a wet dish cloth and use that to wipe out everything after it cools enough to touch it. No spilling hot water inside (or on your foot!). Could also use a very wet sponge and that would also disinfect it.
Lorrie says
I just did this for the first time and it worked wonders. My microwave looks brand new!
Anonymous says
To prevent super heating and explosions, put a wooden spoon in the water while in there to allow it to vent (or something)
Anonymous says
Your super heating this and it's dangerous, people have been blinded by this bad burns ect. If it hasn't happened to you yet count yourself lucky.
EYN says
I have done something similar to this for years....a coffee mug half full of water with just a drop or two of Dawn. Microwave for 5 minutes to boil and steam, and then I just let it sit until it's cool. Works like a dream! I am finding that vinegar is my new best friend though, check out "Blue Magic" on Pinterest.
Anonymous says
I do this with baking soda (maybe 1/4c.)and water in a coffee cup. I heat it for about 3to 4 minutes. I wipe it out with a damp cloth and if needed I do it again but usually once is all it takes.
Anonymous says
i do this also but i use a large coffee cup that way i have a handle to get a hold of,, i let it set in there about 5 minutes to losen it all up////
Anonymous says
It worked very well except for the stuck on circle that nothing seems to take off. But I liked this much better than the store bought cleaners. The cook top was sparkling clean other than the stuck on ring.
Voiceofwarning says
Doesn't seem smart to pump excessive steam into an electrical device
Anonymous says
Works great... I usually use lemon though. It works just as well, but smells sooooo much better!