We all know how irreplaceable microwaves are. It facilitated our everyday tasks remarkably. However, their confined space and high heat cause splatters and grease to accumulate.
There is a risk your food will bubble over or spill on the interior walls and ceiling. Over time, this creates unpleasant odours that you won’t like near your food.
To avoid these issues, you should regularly clean your microwave. Follow this guide to learn how.
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The Risks Of An Unclean Microwave
A neglected microwave looks unappealing and poses serious health and safety risks. In addition, it impacts the appliance’s overall efficiency. It might be the reason you feel sick a lot.
Leftovers from each time you use it can lead to foodborne illnesses, as harmful bacteria will grow and contaminate your food.
Moreover, grease can easily ignite during the heating process. That’s why it is considered a fire hazard, which could potentially damage the appliance or even start a larger blaze.
Additionally, this buildup of grime can block airflow and prevent the microwave from circulating properly.
You’ve probably noticed the results of this issue without knowing the cause. Uneven heating and an increased cooking time are your cue.
Cleaning your microwave constantly is the key to being on the safe side. It will operate better, saving you both time and energy.
How Often To Clean Your Microwave
There’s no clear-cut cleaning frequency to follow because it varies from one person to another. That’s because it all depends on your usage rate and the food you heat up.
However, a few basics will help you keep things under control.
Clean the inner surfaces at least once a week using a damp cloth. This will ensure spills don’t gather up needlessly inside the microwave.
Moreover, you can go for a deeper cleaning session every 1-2 months. This involves washing the turntable along with the microwave’s interior and exterior. It’s best to use a microwave cleaner or baking soda paste for this step.
Cleaning Supplies
Before delving into how to properly clean your microwave, let’s gather our supplies.
Here’s everything you need:
- Damp cloth
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Lemon juice or white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Mild dish soap
- Sponge or soft-bristle brush
- Microwave cleaning spray
- Toothpicks
Deep Cleaning Your Microwave: 3 Easy Steps
Keeping a well-maintained microwave is an integral aspect of your home’s upkeep.
A quick wiping will handle light messes. However, neglecting deep cleaning will result in chaos.
It is a good thing that microwave cleaning doesn’t require any special skills. It will look spotless using only a few basic items and about 30 minutes every 4-8 weeks.
Scrub The Exterior
Start by cleaning the outside part of the microwave. After that, wipe down the top, front, sides, and control panel area with a wet cloth.
This way you can easily get rid of noticeable grime marks. Ensure that you avoid causing scratches by wiping too hard.
For more stubborn stains or hardened splatters, such as baked-on food particles, you need to apply some paste cleaner to them. Slightly mix about two or three tablespoons of baking soda with small quantities of water in a tiny bowl.
Apply this paste gently onto exterior surfaces with a soft-bristle brush. Let it sit for approximately two to three minutes before wiping clean.
Pay more attention to the control panel area because fingerprints and food spills tend to accumulate there.
Dip a cotton swab into this mixture and clean out narrow corners surrounding buttons/dials. Finally, use another clean cloth to wipe away residual baking soda from the entire surface.
Wash The Turntable
This step is fairly easy. Simply take out the turntable and wash it properly.
First, make sure that it can be cleaned in a dishwasher. Then, place it on the top rack and run a normal cycle. Otherwise, hand wash it with mild soap and a soft sponge.
Concentrate on scrubbing away any food particles that are stuck on or oils that have built up. Leave it to soak for 5-10 minutes, if necessary.
Rinse well under running water. Make sure it dries well before putting it back into the microwave.
Clean The Interior
At last comes the real job. What’s left now is to deep clean the inside of your microwave.
You can either buy a microwave cleaning solution or make your own at home. You can easily create one using 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar and a cup of water. Pour the liquid into a microwave-safe bowl and place it inside.
Set it on high power for 3-5 minutes. The resulting steam will loosen and dissolve any food built upon the wall, ceiling, or door.
When the steaming cycle is finished, carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave. Wipe all the inner surfaces with a sponge. Add some baking soda powder before wiping for extra cleanliness.
Make a baking soda paste if there are still any stubborn stains. Gently scrub them away with a soft brush. If needed, clean out the corners with a toothpick or any wooden skewer.
Finally, wipe down and dry the microwave before closing its door properly.
Tips On Maintaining A Clean Microwave
No matter how much you try, a deep cleaning session will be needed eventually. However, there are some daily habits you can work on to help maintain its sparkle.
Here are 5 handy microwave hacks.
1. Cover Food When Microwaving
Covering food before heating is the best way to avoid messy splatters and dried-on spills.
Use a lid or plate to capture any liquids or sauces that bubble out during cooking. This easy step will cut back the cleanup time after each use.
2. Clean Spills Immediately
An occasional spill is going to happen, try as you might. The best thing to do when this happens is to wash it right away.
Wipe down the inner surfaces once the microwave has cooled down. Allowing spills to sit will make them more difficult to remove later on.
3. Use Microwave-Safe Containers
Some people don’t bother worrying about the containers they use. They avoid metals, but that’s about it. That’s not the right call.
Although you can use plastic containers, for example, not all types of plastic can handle this high temperature.
Only use microwave-safe dishes or wraps with no exceptions. Otherwise, they could melt and release harmful chemicals when exposed to high heat.
Stick to glass, ceramic, or silicone containers to prevent any potential leaks or warping.
4. Avoid Microwaving Messy Foods
Certain foods are messier than others. Liquids or tender meals are more likely to cause leaks. You’ll end up with a huge mess no matter how hard you try.
Things like sauces and oily food can easily splatter. Heat these items on the stovetop or in the oven when possible.
5. Add Microwave Cleaning To Your Routine
Everyone cleans their kitchens regularly. You probably scrub your stove and clean the sink, but forget to wash your microwave.
To avoid having an extremely messy appliance, add this deep cleaning ritual to your routine.
Set a reminder to do it every 4-8 weeks using our step-by-step guide. This will remove any grease or odours that the daily wiping can’t handle.
If you feel overwhelmed by your cleaning routine, consider hiring a professional cleaner to do the job for you.
Conclusion About Deep Cleaning Your Microwave
Your microwave has made your life easier. Don’t let uncleanliness make it difficult for you. Not taking care of it makes your everyday tasks more frustrating than they should be.
With 30 minutes of cleaning and a maintenance plan, you can keep your microwave shiny. Follow our guide and tips to help you throughout the process.
