Eco‑friendly tips for a sparkling clean microwave

Keeping your microwave clean prolongs its lifespan and enhances safety by eliminating bacteria and unpleasant odours. Simple techniques can quickly and effectively achieve this.

Every home chef should know the powerful cleaning properties of lemon. This citrus fruit adds flavour to dishes and serves as an excellent cleaning agent. Cleaning a microwave with lemon is quite simple. Just cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into a water bowl, and place it in the microwave for a few minutes. As the water steers at the microwave's highest power, the lemon particles help soften dried grease and food residues.

This natural cleaning process not only removes dirt but also eliminates unpleasant odours. It is a completely natural method that is free from chemicals, making it environmentally friendly.

Vinegar is another indispensable ally in fighting grime. How to clean a microwave with vinegar? The method is straightforward. This common kitchen ingredient has disinfecting and grease-dissolving properties, making it perfect for cleaning microwaves. Mix a cup of vinegar with the same amount of water in a heat-resistant dish. Place it in the microwave, set it to high power, and let the mixture work for about five minutes.

The circulating steam with vinegar effectively dissolves grease and removes food residues. After the cycle is complete, wipe the inside of the microwave with a soft cloth to remove the dissolved dirt and grease. However, remember that vinegar has a strong odour, so it’s advisable to ventilate the kitchen after cleaning.

You can also clean your microwave using baking soda. This is a versatile product that can be found in most kitchens. Its abrasive qualities and deodorizing properties make it a perfect solution for cleaning microwaves. Create a paste from a few tablespoons of baking soda and a bit of water to thoroughly clean the appliance's interior. Apply the paste to a soft sponge and carefully wipe the inside of the microwave.

For tougher stains, leave the paste on the surface for several minutes to allow it to break down stubborn spots. Then, wipe the appliance with a damp cloth to remove the remaining paste and dirt. Baking soda not only cleans effectively but also neutralizes unpleasant odours.

Few people know that you can clean the microwave using a dishwasher tablet. Although dishwasher tablets are designed for cleaning dishes, their cleaning potential can also be harnessed for microwaves. To clean a microwave with a dishwasher tablet, dissolve one tablet in a cup of hot water and place the solution in the microwave for about five minutes, setting the appliance to medium power. The steam from the dissolved tablet efficiently breaks down grease and other grime.

After the cleaning cycle is complete, wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth to remove any leftover cleaning agents and dissolved stains. This method is quick and efficient, and dishwasher tablets often contain gloss-enhancing ingredients that make the inside of the microwave shine like new.

It's important to clean the appliance regularly, ideally after each use, to prevent hard-to-remove grime from building up. A clean microwave looks better and ensures that the food reheated in it is free from additional dirt and odours.