Best Way to Clean a Microwave

Even after a single use, your pristine microwave can turn into a nightmarish mess. It only takes one spill or splatter to create a mess, and that food will get baked on as the microwave runs. By the time you open the microwave door, you may be looking at a tough clean-up project.

Often, people are too busy to wipe up the mess as soon as possible. As a result, splatters and spills build on top of each other. While you could spend a long time scrubbing and scraping, there is a better option. What’s the best way to clean a microwave?

Importance of Microwave Maintenance

A dirty microwave is an embarrassing eyesore. It’s the last place you likely want to put anything edible in. It also creates a bad smell that confronts you as soon as you open the microwave door, and the smell can spread through the house when you run the microwave. More than that, though, it can affect your health. This is because those spills and splatters can contain harmful bacteria.

In addition, the filth impacts how efficiently your microwave operates. Ultimately, this leads to preventable damage as well as the premature need to replace it.

What Is the Quickest Way to Clean a Microwave?

The gunk inside your microwave is usually stuck on. Rather than completely saturate the mess with an all-purpose cleaning product and chip away at it with a knife, there is a better solution available.

• Combine a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water in a microwave-safe container.
• Turn on the microwave for a few minutes.
• After the microwave is filled with steam, turn it off. However, don’t open the door.
• After several minutes, wipe the microwave with a clean, damp cloth.

If the grime is stubborn and remains after this cleaning process, make a thick paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the grime. After 10 minutes, scrub the grime with a toothbrush or sponge. Use clean water to rinse the grime and paste off.

How Often Should You Clean Your Microwave?

Ideally, your microwave should be wiped down with a damp paper towel after each use. If you notice a spill or splatter in the middle of heating your food, it is best to wipe up the mess as soon as possible. It is far easier to remove a liquid mess than a baked-on mess. In addition to daily cleaning, the microwave should receive a deeper cleaning with vinegar or baking soda every week or two.

How to Eliminate Unwanted Odors

Both vinegar and baking soda are effective at eliminating odors. Cleaning your microwave using the above methods should remove most odors. There are other odor-fighting options as well.

For example, place a cup of baking soda or dry coffee grounds in the microwave. Close the door, but do not turn the microwave on. After six to eight hours, remove the baking soda or coffee grounds, and enjoy a better-smelling microwave.

Additional Tips for Keeping Your Microwave Clean

Cleaning tough grime out of your microwave is a difficult job, and it is completely avoidable. What can you do to keep your microwave clean?

• Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe down the microwave after each use.
• Clean the turntable in the dishwasher daily when it is used.
• Always cover food and food containers with an unsealed lid or paper towel to minimize splatters.
• Clean up spills as soon as possible. Avoid using the microwave again until the previous spills and splatters are cleaned up.
• Clean the vents regularly with a soft-bristle brush.
• Use safe products, such as vinegar and baking soda, to clean the microwave without causing damage.

Stubborn messes are not only a problem in the microwave. From baked-on debris in the oven to mildew in the shower and more, cleaning your house can be a true challenge. At Cleanzen, our maids work hard to give you a clean house without the hassle. Schedule your first residential cleaning service with us today.