• About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Mother's Niche

Enjoying the Ride

MENUMENU
  • Parenting
    • PARENTING TIPS

    • PREGNANCY & CHILD BIRTH

      5 Things to Know for Your First Month with a Newborn
    • CREATIVE IDEAS & PRINTABLES

    • THE HARD DAYS

    • HEALTH

  • Marriage
    • 30 DAYS TO A BETTER SPOUSE

    • MARRIAGE TIPS

    • HUSBAND BIRTHDAY IDEAS

  • Crafts/DIY
    • Beauty

    • Gift Ideas

    • Home Hacks

  • Travel
    • DISNEY & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

    • FLORIDA

    • FLORIDA KEYS

    • HAWAII

    • TRAVEL WITH KIDS

  • Kid's Stuff
    • Busy Bag Ideas
    • Sensory Activity
    • Kid's Printables
    • Quiet Books
    • Summer Fun
    • Party Ideas
  • Home Organization
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
You are here: Home / Household / cleaning / How To Clean Your Microwave (and Tips To Keep Your Microwave Clean!)

April 18, 2019 By Marissa Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

How To Clean Your Microwave (and Tips To Keep Your Microwave Clean!)

Ah, the microwave! Such a convenient tool of modern technology! It’s virtually changed the way we cook and eat today.

And while the microwave is a great way to heat up food quickly, it does have one major drawback. It gets really, really dirty! And when your microwave gets dirty, it’s kind of hard to clean. Those sticky bits of food get stuck to surfaces and they seem to never want to come off!

Well, if you are having problems keeping your microwave clean, here are some great tips.


At home with the kids? Instantly access any of these printable activity bundles to keep them learning!


Cleaning the Inside of Your Microwave

There is little doubt that the inside of your microwave will be the place that gets the dirtiest and is also the hardest to clean. When it comes to the interior, the lemon juice solution seems to be the most popular.

Start by putting some lemon or lime juice into 1 cup of water in a microwave safe container. Apple cider vinegar can be used as well or in addition to provide a deodorizing effect.

Turn your microwave on high until the mixture boils. Let it cool for five minutes.

The heat and moisture from the water will loosen the particles inside your microwave allowing you to easily clean them off with a sponge.

The Microwave Doors

The rubber gasket around your door will also be a problematic area. Grease can get on the rubber and that is an unwanted combination right there!

For this, use a sponge dampened with water and baking soda. Then wipe with cloth dampened with water only to rinse.

If the window of the door is greasy, you can clean it with a mixture of half vinegar and half water. Then dry with a clean rag.

The microwave door can also be wiped down with a grease cutting cleaner.

Cleaning The Exterior of Your Microwave

If your microwave sits on the counter like mine does, it probably gets dirty from all the food prep you do around it.

If the outside of your microwave is looking yucky, you can simply use an all purpose cleaner to get it clean. Just be sure not to spray it directly on the appliance or you’ll risk getting it into the inner workings of the microwave where it can do damage.

Avoid spraying the control panel directly as well.

When you’re done applying the cleaner, rinse with a clean cloth and buff dry.

Be sure not to miss the handle as this is a popular place for build up to occur. You can do this by simply spritzing an all purpose cleaner on a damp rag.

Cleaning The Underside of Your Microwave

You may want to deny it’s there, but your microwave has an underside that is ripe for grease and food build up.

And not only that, but I’m sure when you lift your microwave to clean underneath it, you will find a lot of dirt has accumulated there as well.

The bottom of your microwave can be cleaned by spraying all purpose cleaner on to a rag.

Special Instructions

If your microwave has an exhaust system, it will have a filter that needs to be cleaned or changed regularly. Your owner’s manual will give you specific directions on how to do this.

If the filter is removable and can be washed, remove it and soak it in warm water and a few squirts of dish soap. Scrub to get rid of any debris, Rinse well, shake to remove excess water, dry and replace.

If your microwave is stainless steel, you may want to use rubbing alcohol to eliminate fingerprints and make the exterior shine.

To do this, dampen a soft cloth with a few drops of rubbing alcohol and rub it over the stain. Be sure to wipe with the grain of the steel to prevent a build up of fuzz or small particles.

Preventing Build Up in Your Microwave

Of course, if you want to avoid doing these deep cleanings often, there are plenty of preventative measures you can take to keep your microwave’s dirt build up from getting out of hand.

To do this, wipe down your appliance every couple of days. If you prepare something that gets all over your microwave, clean it off immediately, before it gets a chance to become a hard to clean mess.

Or better yet, avoid splatters in the first place by covering foods you are heating with a paper plate or anything else that is microwave safe and does the trick.

Your microwave is a valuable item in your kitchen. Give it the TLC it deserves. Clean it regularly so it looks great and functions reliably for years to come.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

Marissa

Latest posts by Marissa (see all)

  • How To Clean Your Microwave (and Tips To Keep Your Microwave Clean!) - April 18, 2019
  • Sneaky Ways to Get Kids to Eat Their Vegetables - April 16, 2019
  • Time Management Tips for Parents - April 15, 2019
  • 9 Meals That Make Great Leftovers (That You Can Make Tonight) - April 14, 2019
Tweet
Pin48
Share
48 Shares

Related

« Sneaky Ways to Get Kids to Eat Their Vegetables
How to Celebrate Baby’s First Easter »

What do you think? Cancel reply

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Free printable activity!

Whether you’re in the classroom or teaching little ones at home these days, we have fun, engaging, and FREE activity for your kiddos to enjoy.

To claim a copy of one of our most popular activities, simply enter your email address in the box below!

    Built with ConvertKit
    All the best Tips and things I wish I had known (before visiting 3 Hawaiian Islands)

    Join the Mother’s Niche



    Copyright © 2021 · mothersniche.com ·Privacy Policy