A microwave oven is one of the most used appliances in your kitchen. Whether you need to heat the food, defrost a frozen item, or bake a muffin microwave oven is always to the rescue.
With more use of the appliance comes dirty, sticky grease as well. If you get lazy and delay its cleaning, the matter worsens as the grease and food splatter dries up along with a stench that won’t go away.
The best thing is to clean your microwave as soon as you notice grease or sign of food splatter.
But the question is how to clean it deeply.
Surprisingly you do not need fancy expensive equipment to clean your microwave. Instead, several natural cleaning agents present at home can do the job well.
The most common materials to use are:
- Ammonia
- Soap
- Water
- Lemon slices
If you dread cleaning the old sticky spots on your microwave oven, read further as we tell you six natural ways to clean your appliance without any fancy equipment.
6 Ways To Clean Grease off the Microwave
No one likes to use dirty microwave ovens. The sticky greasiness on the control panel makes it yucky to touch and operate.
The horrendous greasy spots and stench make it unbearable to use. Here are a few things that can help you do the job:
1. Soap and Water
Soap and water solution is one of the easiest ways to clean a greasy microwave. Here’s how to do it.
- Mix any dishwashing detergent in lukewarm water to prepare a solution.
- Dip a towel in it and thoroughly clean your microwave.
This method is ideal for cleaning the exterior of your appliance; however, it won’t clean the sticky spots of dried food or oil on the device.
2. Vinegar
The acidic nature of vinegar is extremely powerful that can dissolve grease, dirt, and grime effectively. So if you struggle with stubborn spots in your oven, here’s how to clear that up:
- Prepare a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Let it heat in the microwave for a few minutes.
- Remove the bowl.
- While the interior is still hot and moist, clear it up using a towel.
- The steam from heating water will soften the stubborn spots, making cleaning easier.
Vinegar solution is also an ideal option for removing stench from your microwave oven, as the acetic acid neutralizes the alkaline odors giving you a fresh smell.
Avoid spraying any solution directly on the control panel or touch pads, as it can harm the interior control board.
3. Lemon
If you do not like the strong smell of vinegar, use lemon instead. Lemon contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties that act as a natural bleach.
- Take a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and add slices of lemon to it.
- Heat the bowl in the microwave for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the bowl and thoroughly clean the appliance to remove grease and food splatters.
4. Homemade Solution
If nothing works to give you a clean sparkly microwave oven, try making this power-packed solution from natural ingredients.
You will need lemon, vinegar, and a dishwashing liquid to form a solution and use it on the appliance. Here’s how to do it:
- Make a solution with 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid.
- Remove racks, trays, and turntables from the appliance and soak them in soapy water.
- Generously spray the homemade solution inside the microwave oven and let it heat for 30 seconds.
- Use a microfiber cloth and thoroughly clean the appliance from the top, sides, and bottom.
- Repeat this procedure to eliminate stubborn spots.
- Once the cooking chamber is cleaned, replace everything, and you are good to go.
Always cover your food with a lid of the same size before heating. It will prevent the mess of food from splattering around the cooking chamber.
Once you are done heating, immediately clean the surface with a towel.
5. Ammonia
Ammonia is a rigorous cleaning agent that breaks grease and grime quickly. Here’s how to use it:
- First, make a solution of 1/2 cup ammonia in 1 gallon of water.
- Next, dip a microfibre cloth in the solution and clean the greasy surface.
- If you have sticky spots that won’t go away, apply the solution and leave them for a few minutes to soften.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another effective cleaning agent that can help clean dirty, greasy appliances. Here’s how to do it:
- Form a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with 1 part water.
- Apply the paste on spots and greasy surfaces and let it sit for a while.
- Spray vinegar on the paste and see how it breaks down the grease within no time.
- Clean the paste with a towel dipped in warm water, and you are set to go.
Takeaway
Getting rid of stubborn grease and spots in your microwave is easy. You can use ingredients like lemon, baking soda, and vinegar to clear up the dirt and grime.
Be careful never to use a coarse cloth for cleaning as it can harm the surface and leave scratches. Instead, clean your microwave with a microfiber cloth for a smooth finish.
