How to Clean a Microwave Oven: 8 Proven Tricks for a Fresh-Smelling Appliance!

If the microwave is dirty, the taste and scent of food can easily be affected.

Moreover, it can become a burden with disease-causing organisms. In case you are wondering how to clean a microwave oven then this is the article to read.

This guide takes you through all those small steps that will make your microwave maintain its top shape.

This inclusive guide helps to get a microwave oven shiny and spotless by dealing with stubborn marks, smells, and general care. So let’s get started.

Contents

Why Cleaning Your Microwave Oven is Important.

#1. Health and Hygiene.

A microwave that isn’t cleaned regularly could host bacteria and germs.

The result of leaving food particles and spills inside is the creation of microbial breeding grounds including molds.

Consequently, your food may be exposed to such microbes leading to contamination when cooked Regular washing of a microwave ensures that it remains safe for use.

#2. Improved Performance.

A clean microwave heats food evenly. However, if it gets covered on the inside by splattered foods, it can interfere with its functioning thereby leading to longer cooking periods as well as uneven heating.

Cleaning your microwave will help maintain its performance and energy efficiency levels.

#3. Extended Appliance Life.

You can elongate the life of your microwave by spending a couple of minutes cleaning it.

The insides get affected by dirt and filth that result in malfunctions.

When you maintain the cleanliness of your microwave, you minimize the rate at which it wears out thereby making it serve you for an extensive period.

Also Read: Solo vs Convection Microwave Oven.

Materials You’ll Need.

Require the following materials:

Bowl that can be used in a microwave

White vinegar or lemon juice

Baking soda

Water

Microfiber cloth or sponge

Dish soap.

Toothbrush (optional for stubborn spots).

Why do these things work?

Grease is destroyed by white vinegar and lemon juice since they are natural cleansers.

Baking soda works as a mild abrasive, removing tough stains without damaging surfaces.

Microfiber cloths wipe surfaces without leaving behind any lint.

Also Read: Revealing the Key Differences Between Microwave and Oven.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean a Microwave Oven.

Step 1: How to clean a microwave oven with lemon.

Cleaning a microwave oven with lemon can be quite inconvenient; however, I will show you how to use natural, cheap-to-find, and apply lemon as an excellent alternative.

Lemons are substitutes for chemicals that can remove dirt, grime, and food stains from your microwave and leave behind a fresh scent of citrus.

In this guide, I will take you step by step on how to clean your oven using lemon. Let’s get started!

First of all, cut the lemon in two.

Take the juice of the lemon into the bowl that is safe for microwaving.

Put half a cup of water into that bowl.

Place these halves inside it.

In a high-power setting, cook it for 3 minutes in a microwave.

Allow the bowl to sit in there for another 5 minutes after three minutes have elapsed.

Afterward, carefully lift out the bowl from within the appliance.

To wipe down the inside area of it use a damp cloth or sponge

Finally, dry with a clean cloth.

Also Read: What is the difference between OTG and Microwave?

Step 2: How to clean a microwave inside.

Here are some easy steps to follow on how to clean a microwave oven inside :

Unplug your microwave, and check it briefly for any food remnants.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Put the mixture into the microwave, and set it at high temperature for 5 minutes.

After that, leave the bowl inside to sit for some minutes. This will aid in loosening tough stains or grime by enabling steam to do so.

Get rid of the bowl carefully then take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe off the interior side of your oven.

If you have stubborn stains, use baking soda mixed with water to form a paste. Apply it over the stained area, let it stay there for around 5 minutes, and remove it with a clean piece of cloth.

Lastly, just take out your dry cloth and give your oven’s insides a quick rinse before using it next time.

Step 3: How to clean a microwave oven with Vinegar.

Vinegar is the best tool for Microwave cleaning. I am here to show you how it can be done only.

Vinegar does not only make microwave cleaning affordable but also effective. Let’s get right into it and clean that microwave.

Find a bowl that is safe to use with microwaves and place one cup of water in it.

Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the bowl of water.

Place the bowl in a Vinegar Microwave and set it on high for five minutes.

After that, wait for a few minutes before taking away the mixture from the microwave with Vinegar to let the steam work its magic.

Take off the bowl very carefully from the microwave

Using a wet cloth or sponge start wiping down right from inside by commencing with the topmost parts as well as the sides too.

In case of tough stains, wet your cloth/sponge in water and vinegar solution then scrub them thoroughly.

Lastly, use a moistened rag to wipe down the outside part of your oven.

It’s over! In just a minute, your microwave will look new and fresh.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Convection Microwave Ovens in India.

Step 4: How to clean a microwave oven with Baking soda.

The following are simple guidelines that will help you clean a microwave oven using vinegar.

Take any microwave-safe bowl and combine 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of water.

Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for between 3 to 5 minutes until it boils.

When it begins to boil, allow it to cool down for several minutes before pulling it out.

Dunk a fresh sponge or towel into this mixture and make use of it to clean the inside surface by particularly concentrating on those difficult spots with some stains.

In case you stumble upon any parts that are extremely dirty or oily, first apply slight dish soap over your cloth or sponge before rubbing it against those areas while cleaning them up.

Afterward, wipe off any remaining traces of residue and baking soda by using a damp cloth that is also clean.

Finally, keep the door of your microwave oven for a few moments to let any moisture disappear before resuming its usage.

Step 5: How to clean a microwave oven from cockroaches.

Learn how to remove cockroaches from a microwave oven by following these simple steps.

Disconnect the microwave from the power outlet.

Take out the turntable and wash it using soap and water properly.

Clean off any food particles or solid waste materials visible on the inside of the microwave.

Pour equal quantities of white vinegar and water into a container to make a solution.

Soak a fresh cloth or sponge in this preparation then squeeze out any surplus liquid.

Using that cloth or sponge, wipe all parts of your microwave, meticulously focusing on spots that might contain eggs or droppings left there by roaches.

Let it stay for approximately 5-10 minutes before cleaning up anything else

Rinse cloth/sponge in clean water and again go over the insides until no more traces of vinegar can be seen on them anymore

Once you have dried down your microwave for several hours later, leave its door open too.

Throw away such sponge/cloth; then, thoroughly rinse off your hands with that bar of soap before doing anything else.

Step 6: How to clean a microwave oven glass door.

I know how to clean a microwave oven glass door. Here’s what you need to do.

Get a bowl, and mix water and Vinegar in equal parts.

Get an absorbent sponge or cloth and dip it into the solution, wringing out the excess moisture.

Place the damp cloth or sponge against your microwave glass door for some minutes.

Remove the cloth or sponge after a few minutes, then you can use it to wipe off any dirt or stains from the glass.

Don’t worry if you find any stubborn spots! You can gently rub them off using a non-abrasive scrubber.

Rinse the cloth with clean water and apply it to your glass again to remove any left residue.

Lastly, dry this with a clean piece of towel/cloth.

Also Read: What is a Convection Microwave?

Step 7: How to clean a microwave oven outside.

Do not fret; I am here to clean your microwaves outside. The process is pretty straightforward.

The microwave should be unplugged from the power outlet.

Take out the rotating plate or tray and clean it with water and detergent.

Soak a soft cloth or sponge into soapy water.

Press out any excess moisture from the cloth or sponge.

Use a wet cloth or sponge to wipe the exterior parts of the microwave to ensure they are clean.

For stubborn stains, one can use baking soda solution, non-abrasive cleaner, etc

Avoid using harsh chemicals as well as rough materials because they destroy the surface of the microwave oven easily.

Either dry the microwave with a towel or just let it dry before plugging it in again.

Step 8: How to clean rust from microwave oven.

To make your microwave rust-free in no time, follow these easy steps:

Start by mixing water and baking soda until you have a thick paste that can be easily applied.

Then dip a sponge or cloth into the baking soda mixture and use it to apply the paste on the inside of your microwave

Wait for about ten to fifteen minutes so that the paste does its job.

After the set time has elapsed, remove the cleaning with a damp sponge or cloth.

And if there is still rust, don’t panic! The toothbrush will help clean off any rust gently from this area.

Then rinse out the sponge or cloth and get rid of any leftover residue

Finally, grab a clean rag and dry it off completely inside.

Also Read: LG 32L WiFi Enabled Charcoal Microwave Oven.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Microwave.

Cleaning your microwave can’t be easier than this. It only takes simple and easy steps to keep it sizzling clean with minimal effort required.

#1. Cover Your Food.

While heating food, especially liquids, and sauces always cover them using a lid or microwave-safe lid.

This will help prevent splashes hence making cleaning up easier.

#2. Wipe Spills Immediately.

When anything spills, wipe immediately with a wet towel. Fresh spills are much easier to clean compared to dried ones.

#3. Regular Quick Cleans.

Do quick cleans regularly on your microwave at least once every week.

You may just have to take a damp cloth and rub the inside as well as the exterior to get rid of any buildup.

#4. Deodorize Naturally.

Additionally, heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for several minutes every month to keep your microwave smelling fresh.

This will not only soften dirt but also create nice-smelling steam.

Also Read: Top Amazing Reasons to Choose the Samsung 28L Convection Microwave Oven for Your Kitchen!

Common Mistakes to Avoid.

However, there are several mistakes commonly made in cleaning a microwave.

#1. Using Abrasive Cleaners

Never use any tough chemicals or abrasive cleaners in your microwave.

These might damage internal parts and leave dangerous residues behind.

#2. Ignoring the Turntable.

Also, remember to wipe down beneath as well as clean the turntable.

This may trap food particles causing bad smells that even attract insects.

#3. Skipping the Ventilation Areas

With time, the air vents of microwaves become clogged with dust and grease.

For this reason, make sure that you clean them often to ensure proper airflow and prevent overheating.

Also Read: 10 Microwave Oven Problems.

FAQs

Can I Use Lemon Instead of Vinegar?

Yes, lemon juice is one of the best substitutes for white vinegar while cleaning a microwave. They both work well as acids that cut through greases even as they deodorize spaces. Moreover, lemons smell nice.

Can I use bleach to clean my microwave oven?

Bleaching is not recommended when washing microwaves because it can spoil the machine over time and leave toxic residue behind. Consequently, it’s better to stick to natural cleansers like vinegar or lemon.

How Often Should I Clean My Microwave?

It is therefore important to ensure that you clean your microwave at least once every week or more frequently if it is used daily. The regular maintenance process prevents dirt build-up and guarantees the efficient operation of your appliance.

What If There’s a Bad Odor After Cleaning?

If after cleaning you still feel smells from the microwave oven put a cup of baking soda or charcoal inside the system such that it would be left therein overnight. These two elements take care of any odorous substances remaining.

Conclusion.

Maintaining hygiene and optimal performance are valid reasons for regularly cleaning your microwave.

With this guide on how to clean a microwave oven, you can keep your appliance in a great state with little work.

Always remember that steaming with lemons or vinegar, wiping surfaces, and avoiding obvious errors while cleaning is very important.

For many years to come, make sure that those basic practices become your daily routine so that your microwave oven will not let you down as one of the appliances in your kitchen.

If this article has been helpful to you; please share it with friends or see our other cleaning guides that can be accessed here for more tips.