How To Clean Inside Of Microwave: 5 Insanely Easy Steps
Wondering how to clean inside of microwave? Doing deep cleaning of your microwave is so important because it keeps germs away and prevents unwanted odors.
There are different at-home products you can use to clean your microwave both inside and outside. They include using vinegar, lemon, baking soda, and dish soap.
This post is all about how to clean inside of microwave using vinegar and lemon.
List Of Supplies To Clean Inside Of Microwave
- White Vinegar
- Microwave-Safe Bowl
- Water
- Lemon
- Microfiber Cloth
How To Clean Inside Of Microwave With Vinegar
This is the best way to clean the inside of a microwave.
1. Make The Cleaning Solution
Combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of white vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, place it into the microwave.
2. Microwave The Mixture
The next step is to microwave the mixture for 3 minutes on high. This will heat up the entire inside of the microwave.
3. Let Mixture Sit For 10 Minutes
Don’t take out the mixture just yet! Let it sit for 10 minutes so the steam can seep into the entire inside of the dirty microwave. This step will make it easier to clean in the next step.
4. Use a Microfiber Cloth To Clean
After 10 minutes, take the bowl out. Be careful because it will be hot! Once the mixture cools down a little, dip your microfiber cloth or paper towel into the vinegar mixture.
Then, use the microfiber cloth to scrub the entire microwave interior. Clean all parts of the interior of the microwave including the top and bottom.
Be sure to wipe the inside of the microwave door and microwave turntable with the vinegar and water mixture as well.
5. Let It Dry
The smell of vinegar will slowly dissipate so you don’t need to go in with water to rinse.
Just keep the microwave door open for a few minutes to let it dry.
How To Clean Microwave With Lemon
Cleaning the inside of a microwave with lemon is essentially the same process as cleaning with vinegar. So if you’re wondering how to clean inside microwave without vinegar, here is a step-by-step guide.
1. Make The Cleaning Solution
Combine 1 cup of water and squeeze a whole lemon into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, place it into the microwave.
2. Microwave The Mixture
The next step is to microwave the mixture for 3 minutes on high. This will heat up the entire inside of the microwave.
3. Let Mixture Sit For 10 Minutes
Don’t take out the mixture just yet! Let it sit for 10 minutes so the steam can seep into the entire inside of the microwave. This step will make it easier to clean in the next step.
4. Use a Microfiber Cloth To Clean
After 10 minutes, take the bowl out. Be careful because it will be hot! Once the mixture cools down a little, dip your microfiber cloth into the lemon juice mixture.
Then, use the microfiber cloth to scrub the entire microwave interior. Clean all parts of the interior including the top and bottom.
Be sure to wipe the inside of the glass door as well.
5. Let It Dry
Just keep the microwave door open for a few minutes to let it dry. Now your microwave smells like fresh natural lemon!
How To Clean Outside Of Microwave
There is likely a lot of grease build-up on the outside of your microwave. The best way to clean this is to use a nontoxic all-purpose microwave cleaner that cuts through grease and grime effectively.
Branch Basics has one of the best natural all-purpose cleaners.
You can also use the same water and vinegar solution to wipe the microwave exterior.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Microwave
How do you clean the inside of a microwave that has been stained?
Add a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water to a microwave-safe bowl. Then, microwave on high for 3 minutes and leave the bowl in the microwave for 10 minutes. The steam cleans and loosens loosen the stains.
Then, go in with a microfiber cloth to scrub the stain away. It should come off much easier.
Is it better to clean microwave with lemon or vinegar?
Both lemon and vinegar are effective natural cleaners for the microwave. However, there are some benefits of using one over the other.
Lemon releases a fragrant citrus scent that leaves your microwave smelling fresh afterward. It also has antibacterial properties so it can help sanitize the microwave.
Vinegar is a really strong degreaser and can break down tough stains better than a lemon. It can also neutralize odors instead of just masking them. Vinegar is also able to remove mineral deposits caused by hard water.
Can you spray cleaner inside of a microwave?
You can use spray cleaner if it’s made with non toxic and natural ingredients. If you’re using vinegar or lemon juice, that is completely fine.
What is the best way to clean the inside of a stainless steel microwave?
The best way to clean the inside of a stainless steel microwave is to use a vinegar and water solution.
You can also use dish soap to clean the inside of a stainless steel microwave. To clean with dish soap, first microwave a bowl of water with dish soap for 3 minutes.
Then, let it sit for 10 minutes to let out steam. Dip a towel with the same mixture and scrub. Make sure to rinse well afterwards.
Can I clean my microwave with Clorox wipes?
It’s not a good idea to clean your microwave with Clorox wipes because it contains chemicals that we don’t want to come in contact with our food.
We generally don’t even recommend cleaning with Clorox wipes in general because it has skin irritating ingredients that are not good for sensitive skin.
What to avoid when cleaning microwave?
Definitely avoid using abrasive cleaning materials like hard sponges that can scratch the surface of the microwave.
Also, avoid using harsh chemicals cleaners like bleach and ammonia.
Should you clean a microwave with Windex?
Windex is able to clean your microwave but we don’t recommend it. There are natural cleaning products and DIY cleaning solutions you can make that are a safer alternative.
Windex contains ammonia which is a chemical that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. The worst part of ammonia is when it mixes with bleach, it creates chlorine gas which is a highly toxic chemical.
Can you clean the inside of a microwave with Lysol spray?
Lysol spray can clean the inside of a microwave but we advise strongly against it.
Some Lysol sprays contain ammonia which can easily irritate the skin. The worst part is when it combines with bleach, it can cause chlorine gas which is highly toxic. Lysol sprays also have MIPA-BORATE which can cause reproductive problems.
Highly recommend natural and safe cleaning ingredients like vinegar and lemon as a safer method instead.
How often should you clean inside microwave?
You should clean your microwave at least once a month or immediately when there are spills.
Can baking soda clean microwave?
Yes! You can clean microwave with baking soda. Just sprinkle baking soda into the inside, wet a sponge or cloth, and start scrubbing.
Will apple cider vinegar clean microwave?
Apple cider vinegar can clean microwaves effectively. Use the same vinegar and water method as stated in this article!
That’s a wrap on this post about how to clean inside of microwave! We hope this microwave cleaning hack helps make microwave cleaning easier than ever. Doing a deep clean of your microwave on a regular basis is super important to maintaining good hygiene.
Want a FREE Guide On How To Make Your Home Smell Amazing?
Use this extremely detailed guide to make your home smell insanely good with only non-toxic products. Also comes with a step-by-step checklist!
Now you know how to clean inside of microwave, check out more similar posts!
