5 easy ways to clean your microwave

The vast majority of methods of cleaning the internal surfaces of a microwave oven are based on the principle of creating a steam bath. Depending on the level of contamination, certain ingredients are added to its recipe.

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Method 1 (for weak impurities). Creating a water bath.

To implement this method, you will need about 500 mL of water and a container with wide sides (an ordinary deep plate will do). A container with clean water is placed inside the working chamber of the oven, after which the microwave is turned on at maximum power for about 10-15 minutes. At the end of the cycle, it is advisable to leave the door locked for another 10 minutes, and then it is enough to remove the food particles softened by steam with a damp sponge or napkin.

A water bath is quite possible to do in cases where the microwave oven does not have strong and long-standing contamination.

This method is the most gentle of all and is suitable for all types of interior coatings. However, when cleaning old and stubborn dirt, its effectiveness is significantly reduced.

Useful advice. When warming up food, use a special plastic cap. It covers the heated contents, preventing splashes and food particles from hitting the walls of the microwave working chamber.

Method 2 (for medium pollution). Cleaning with soda.

Method No. 2 is also based on the principle of creating a steam bath. The recipe for its preparation is extremely simple — in 500 mL of water you need to dilute one or two tablespoons of baking soda. The container with the finished solution is placed in the furnace chamber, after which the device should be given some time to work in high-power mode.

When using the method of cleaning internal surfaces using soda, note that it cannot be used in dry form, as this may damage the integrity of the coating of the inner walls of the working chamber of the microwave oven.

The specific heating time in the maximum mode can vary in the range from 3-5 to 10-15 minutes (depending on the level of contamination). The soda solution settles on the walls of the chamber in the form of condensate and will dissolve the dried food particles. In the future, it will only be necessary to wipe the internal partsMicrowave ovens with a sponge, removing the remnants of dirt.

The Council. In order to get rid of unpleasant odours, place a saucer with a small amount of table salt in the microwave chamber overnight. A mixture of salt, activated charcoal and natural ground coffee will help to overcome the most persistent aromas — the first two ingredients effectively absorb odours, and the latter leaves a pleasant odour.

Popular microwave ovens

Method 3 (for medium pollution). Cleaning with household soap.

There is a characteristic brown bar of household soap in almost every home. When it comes to the cleanliness of the "insides" of the microwave, soap performs the function of "2-in-1" — not only cleans the walls of the chamber of the device from fatty deposits, but also disinfects them. First, the laundry soap needs to be thoroughly foamed or simply soaped with a soft cloth. After wiping the walls of the oven with it, the microwave should be left alone for about 5 minutes. After this time, you will need to remove the remnants of soap along with dirt, wiping all surfaces several times with a damp sponge.

Household soap handles wonderfully with many household pollutants, including greasy and mud deposits on the inner walls of the microwave oven.

When the microwave oven is turned on for the first time after cleaning, a slight burning smell may appear. It signals that you have not completely got rid of the soap from the walls and they need to be thoroughly wiped with a sponge again.

Useful to know. To clean the microwave in one sitting inside and outside, you can use a glass washing liquid, which is mixed with water in a ratio of 2:1. However, this option goes beyond the considered methods of washing the oven without the use of detergents.

Popular built-in microwave ovens

Method 4 (for medium and heavy pollution). Cleaning with citric acid and citrus peel.

When using this method, it is possible not only to quickly get rid of fat and dried food particles, but also to eliminate unpleasant odours. The preparation of a "cocktail" to create a steam bath can be implemented in two ways: two bags of citric acid (25-30 g each) are diluted in 500 mL of water, or the natural juice of two lemons is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:1. The resulting solution should be placed in the middle of the glass turntable and turn on the device at maximum power. In this mode, the microwave should be allowed to work for 5-10 minutes. When the appliance turns off, do not open the door for as long. After that, you will need to wipe the walls with a kitchen sponge.

Citric acid destroys bacteria and mold, removes mineral deposits, and steamed citrus peel refreshes both the microwave itself and adds a pleasant aroma to the kitchen as a whole.

The method also provides the possibility of cleaning the inner surfaces with citrus crusts (lemon, orange, tangerine or lime). They need to be placed in a plate with water, which is placed in a microwave oven. The device will need to be warmed up at a maximum of 5-10 minutes, then the door should not be unlocked for another half hour. When heated, the peel releases essential oils, which in combination with water vapor soften the fatty plaque and dried food particles.

The Council. It is important not to overdo it with citric acid, especially if the internal coating of the microwave oven is enameled.

Microwaves with steam cleaning system

Method 5 (for heavy pollution). Cleaning with vinegar.

The most effective way of cleaning the walls of the working chamber of the microwave oven from contamination cannot be called the most pleasant, because when acetic acid evaporates, a characteristic pungent odour is released. For 500 mL of pure water, there are 2 tablespoons of vinegar solution with a concentration of 9% or 1 teaspoon of 70% essence. The prepared solution is heated in the maximum power mode for 5-10 minutes (depending on the degree of contamination of the working chamber).

When a mixture of acetic acid and water is heated, steam is formed, which most effectively softens the dried food particles and dissolves fat deposits.

After the specified time, it is advisable to wait for about 5 more minutes, during which the vinegar will have time to dissolve fat deposits. At the last stage, it will remain to thoroughly wipe all the walls, grilles and door with a sponge, and if necessary, repeat the procedure.

Important! Cleaning with vinegar should be carried out only with good ventilation and, preferably, with the hood turned on. Lemon slices will help get rid of the persistent acetic aroma.

Sparkling cleanliness in your kitchen!