Over time, all that mess can make your microwave less efficient. But the good news is I have several fast and easy ideas to get your hard-working kitchen appliance back to just-out-of-the-box clean – or almost.
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Start with a little prevention
Your first line of defence is to stop the problem in the first place, according to Evelyn Carpenter at the Whirlpool Institute of Home Science. Covering dishes of food before microwaving them goes a long way towards preventing most spots and splatters.
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Your first line of defence is to stop the problem in the first place, according to Evelyn Carpenter at the Whirlpool Institute of Home Science. Covering dishes of food before microwaving them goes a long way towards preventing most spots and splatters.
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Wipe it clean on a daily basis
Carpenter also suggests cleaning the inside of your microwave as part of your daily kitchen routine. Using a soft cloth, sponge or paper towel, wipe down the inside ceiling, floor, sides and turntable. This removes any spatters that might have escaped containment before they have a chance to harden.
Carpenter also suggests cleaning the inside of your microwave as part of your daily kitchen routine. Using a soft cloth, sponge or paper towel, wipe down the inside ceiling, floor, sides and turntable. This removes any spatters that might have escaped containment before they have a chance to harden.
Steam-clean stubborn stains
If the splatters are caked on, try steam before you apply elbow grease. Microwave about 1 cup of water on high for two to three minutes. Let it sit for up to five minutes, then carefully remove the cup of water (it will be hot) along with the turntable. Wipe down all the surfaces with a soft cloth, sponge or paper towel.
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If the splatters are caked on, try steam before you apply elbow grease. Microwave about 1 cup of water on high for two to three minutes. Let it sit for up to five minutes, then carefully remove the cup of water (it will be hot) along with the turntable. Wipe down all the surfaces with a soft cloth, sponge or paper towel.
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Tackle food smells
You can remove odours and disinfect while you’re at it, according to Meg Roberts, president of the housekeeping service Molly Maid. Start by adding half a fresh lemon to your cup of water before you microwave it. The lemon half will be hot when you remove it, but once it cools down a bit, run it through your food waste disposal unit to freshen that as well.
Follow up by using white vinegar as a natural disinfectant. Dip a microfibre cloth in a 50/50 water-vinegar solution, wring it out until it is slightly damp and use it to wipe down the surfaces.
In most cases, this will be enough to leave your microwave’s interior sparkling. If some splatters remain, just repeat the process.
You can remove odours and disinfect while you’re at it, according to Meg Roberts, president of the housekeeping service Molly Maid. Start by adding half a fresh lemon to your cup of water before you microwave it. The lemon half will be hot when you remove it, but once it cools down a bit, run it through your food waste disposal unit to freshen that as well.
Follow up by using white vinegar as a natural disinfectant. Dip a microfibre cloth in a 50/50 water-vinegar solution, wring it out until it is slightly damp and use it to wipe down the surfaces.
In most cases, this will be enough to leave your microwave’s interior sparkling. If some splatters remain, just repeat the process.
Don’t forget the turntable
Clean this regularly, too. Almost all are dishwasher-safe, but if you’re not sure about yours or you doubt your microwave could be out of commission for the length of a dishwasher run, simply clean it with warm water and washing-up liquid.
Wipe the rubber gaskets and the glass door with a damp cloth too. If it’s very greasy, use a 50/50 water and white vinegar solution or glass cleaner. For a polished look, wipe everything with a soft, dry cloth.
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Clean this regularly, too. Almost all are dishwasher-safe, but if you’re not sure about yours or you doubt your microwave could be out of commission for the length of a dishwasher run, simply clean it with warm water and washing-up liquid.
Wipe the rubber gaskets and the glass door with a damp cloth too. If it’s very greasy, use a 50/50 water and white vinegar solution or glass cleaner. For a polished look, wipe everything with a soft, dry cloth.
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Michelle Drenckhahn
Finish off
Finally, wipe down the outer surfaces, including the control panel, with a soft, damp cloth. If things are particularly greasy or covered in fingerprints, go over them again with the water-vinegar solution. You can dry the surface with a soft cloth for an even more pristine look.
Carpenter recommends steam-cleaning the microwave’s interior once a week or so, but this method works even if you go longer between cleanings. And if you’re vacuuming your refrigerator vents, do your microwave vents at the same time. Your microwave will appreciate it.
TELL US…
Do you have any additional tricks or advice for cleaning a microwave? Please share your ideas in the Comments below.
Finally, wipe down the outer surfaces, including the control panel, with a soft, damp cloth. If things are particularly greasy or covered in fingerprints, go over them again with the water-vinegar solution. You can dry the surface with a soft cloth for an even more pristine look.
Carpenter recommends steam-cleaning the microwave’s interior once a week or so, but this method works even if you go longer between cleanings. And if you’re vacuuming your refrigerator vents, do your microwave vents at the same time. Your microwave will appreciate it.
TELL US…
Do you have any additional tricks or advice for cleaning a microwave? Please share your ideas in the Comments below.
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