Cleaning Your Microwave

Splatters of food in your microwaving look bad, smell bad, and decrease the efficiency of your microwave. Fortunately, cleaning your microwave is easy if you follow these few steps periodically:

Using Vinegar:

Fill a microwave-safe glass or bowl half-full of water and add 1 T. white vinegar.

Place inside the microwave.

Turn on for 5 minutes – the idea here is to steam up the walls of the microwave and loosen the dried-on gunk.

When done, remove the glass container and wipe down the inside of the microwave with a clean paper towel or dishcloth.

The loosened gunk should come off easily now, and without chemical cleaners inside the microwave.

Take out the glass tray or turntable and wash it like a dish.

Using a Lemon:

Cut a lemon in half and place both halves cut-side down on a microwaveable plate with 1 T. of water.

Microwave for about 1 minute or until the lemon is hot and the inside of the microwave is steamy.

Wipe the inside of the microwave with paper towel and wash the plate as above.

(Now that the lemon is hot and squishy, it makes a great natural cleanser for a smelly garbage disposal...cut the halves into smaller pieces and flush through disposal with plenty of water.)

Additional tips:

Leave the microwave open for a few minutes after cleaning, to let it dry and air out a bit inside.

To keep your microwave clean, cover food loosely when heating it.

Use a soft scrub-brush that can be used for washing dishes to get off greasy food build-up you may find.

Clean up messes inside your microwave right away.

To keep your microwave clean, follow these instructions once/twice per month.

This article was originally posted on wikihow.com