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Feeling a bit meh about that grimy microwave? We get it. At Wecasa, we’re all about making your home sparkle without the harsh chemicals – and sometimes the best solutions are sitting right in your fruit bowl.
What You’ll Need and Safety First
Before we dive into this easiest way to clean your microwave, let’s gather what you need:
| What You’ll Need | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Whole lemon | Citric acid breaks down food splatters naturally |
| Water | Creates steam to loosen grime |
| Microwave-safe bowl | Holds your cleaning solution safely |
| Clean cloth or sponge | Wipes away loosened dirt |
Safety first, folks:
- Always unplug your microwave before cleaning the exterior
- Use oven mitts when removing hot bowls from inside the microwave
- Keep the microwave door open after cleaning to air dry
- Never use harsh chemicals that could contaminate your food
Got everything? Brilliant! Now you’re ready to transform that grimy microwave with lemon magic.
Step-by-Step Lemon Cleaning Method
Steam Treatment: Inside Cleaning Made Easy
Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl with half a cup of water. Pop the lemon halves in too – they’ll add extra cleaning power.
Microwave on high power for 3 minutes until the water bubbles away. Don’t open that door just yet! Let the lemony steam work its magic for another 5 minutes.
Here’s what happens inside:
- Steam loosens stubborn food splatters
- Citric acid breaks down grease naturally
- Fresh lemon scent replaces stale odours
When time’s up, carefully remove the hot bowl using oven mitts. The interior should wipe clean effortlessly with your cloth – no scrubbing required!
Tackle Stubborn Stains and Deodorize
Still got some stubborn stains that won’t budge? No worries! Dip your cloth in the leftover lemon water and give those tough spots a gentle scrub. The citric acid works wonders on burnt-on food.
For extra cleaning power, try this combo:
| Stubborn Stain Type | Extra Helper |
|---|---|
| Burnt cheese or sauce | Sprinkle baking soda directly on stain |
| Lingering odours | Add splash of white vinegar to lemon water |
| Grease spots | Use lemon peel to scrub gently |
Top tip: If your microwave still smells funky after cleaning, leave an open bowl of baking soda inside overnight. It’ll absorb any remaining odours like a charm.
Your microwave should now smell fresh and look spotless!
Best Way to Clean Outside and Finish
Don’t forget the microwave exterior – it needs love too! Unplug your appliance first, then dip your cloth in the leftover lemon water to wipe down the outside surfaces.
Pay special attention to:
- Control panel and buttons (where fingerprints love to hide)
- Door handle and hinges
- Vents and any marble countertop areas around your microwave
For a streak-free finish, follow up with a dry microfiber cloth to buff everything to a lovely shine. The citrus oils from your lemon will leave surfaces gleaming.
Final touches: Replace the turntable, plug your microwave back in, and give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve just cleaned your entire microwave using nothing but natural ingredients!
Alternative Method: Clean Your Microwave Oven with Vinegar
Fancy switching things up? White vinegar is another brilliant natural cleaner that tackles grease and grime like nobody’s business. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in your microwave-safe bowl – about half a cup of each should do the trick.
Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes until it’s bubbling and steaming away. Here’s the clever bit: keep that door shut for another 5-10 minutes to let the vinegar steam work its magic on stubborn food splatters.
The vinegar’s acidity breaks down grease naturally whilst the steam loosens everything up – no elbow grease required! When you finally open the door, everything should wipe away effortlessly. Bonus points: vinegar naturally deodorises your microwave, banishing any lingering pongs.
Pro tip: You can use the leftover vinegar solution to clean other kitchen surfaces too – waste not, want not! You can see our complete guide on how to use vinegar for a sparkling home .
And with these expert cleaners’ tips, your microwave will be sparkling clean in no time!
