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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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!
Rosal says
Perhaps wipe it down with Baking soda sprinkled on a damp cloth.
Rosal says
In my humble opinion Manda - if you weren't aware that someone else had invented it , I say claim it (to yourself at least) as your own personal invention and take pride in it. After all - who's to say that someone else didn't come up with it BEFORE the first one that we know of. They just may have thought to keep their handy tip to themselves.
Anonymous says
I used apple cider vinegar to make for a better smell. Microwave is clean and the kitchen smells good as well. ~~v Dee
Anonymous says
Thanks, this was super helpful and so much easier than spending an hour scrubbing it like i usually do!!
Christina says
I was having an off day and microwaved a tablespoon of honey by itself - forgetting to put the other ingredients into the cup. My microwave is now brown inside and I have tried the cleaning methods with baking soda, vinegar, lemon, plain water, and dish soap. Nothing makes it look even the slightest bit better.
Does anyone have any ideas?
growgardengrow says
I agree with the wet sponge or wash cloth idea.... you get to do more than one thing at once and it's safer than having to move the boiling water. In only 1-3 minutes the sponge/cloth gets sanitized and the microwave gets steamed. Plus they are nice and hot to use them for wiping the softened gunk off the inside of the microwave. Let them cool a bit or use gloves. This is also a great way to clean your counters, etc. with or without vinegar or lemon juice (both acids, BTW). Scrub with a little baking soda (an alkaline), if necessary. Definitely don't use 409 or other toxic household cleaners inside your microwave (or fridge).
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krissy says
you must have been using an narrow mouth container. Use a WIDE mouth container because otherwise you will get superheated water that is beyond boiling and doesn't boil because of the container used. Quite dangerous. I believe myth busters did an episode about this. Or at least about heating water in a microwave.
I've done this before using a VERY GENEROUS amount of vinegar. About a half cup to 1 cup vinegar to 1-2 cups of water in a bowl that is wider at the top than at the bottom. Usually a plastic glad (disposable/reusable) type bowl. I've also sprayed straight vinegar on entire surface of the microwave on the inside before starting it. I heat the water for 10-15 minutes though myself to create more steam and make it easier to wipe down. Works like a charm until one of the kiddo's uses the microwave and gets it dirty again.... *grumbles* but that's life as a mum with growing kids......
Chemicals says
This is awesome, thanks for sharing with us...
Hand Care
Yolanda Russo says
what a great idea. it makes a lot of sense
Yolanda Russo says
that is correct.great pointers
Michelle Anderson says
I tried this a long time ago and when I opened the door to the microwave, the water exploded in my face. Just be careful when doing this. I also heard you can use a wet sponge and it will work also. Again just be careful not to burn yourself.
Anonymous says
Ruth
I just got rid of A thrd degree burn from steam! Not A fun thing to do. I was making chicken soup in an electic kettle and it realy
gets hot!
Lasertek says
I read this tip somewhere and I agree that it works! Instead of vinegar, I use lemon or orange to take care of the smell.
cleaning tips
Chemicals says
Oh, great idea, Adrienne Audrey! Let us know how it works...
Hand Care
inHisname says
Yellow mustard!! Poured boiling spiced cider on me just a couple days ago, and I've never had that instant of a relief from pain that bad.
Anonymous says
Amazing tried it tonight with lemon. My microwave was pretty nasty and it literally wiped right off no scrubbing. Try this. Trying the oven cleaning right now with the baking soda we will see how that works. Thank you for posting this you saved me a lot of time.
Anonymous says
You dont need to use anything but water it causes the steam, and then just wipe it out..you dont need the vinegar or the smell. And i use dawnon asponge to wipe it out...the steam just loosens it for you.
Anonymous says
USE A FLAT RAZOR BLADE. wORKS LIKE A CHARM
Mrs. W says
Perhaps there was too much vinegar? You only want to put in a splash. Maybe different models deal with steam differently. Sorry to hear, this has always worked well for us.