How to Steam Clean a Microwave

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Steam cleaning a microwave is a really effective way to loosen baked on bits of food and grease without the use of harsh chemicals. With a little water and ingredients you already have around the house, you can have a sparkling clean microwave in less than 10 minutes. Best of all, there is no scrubbing involved!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Vinegar

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  1. In a microwave safe bowl or mug, add 1 cup (240 ml) of water with 1 cup (240 ml) of white or apple cider vinegar. Stir it up until it’s mixed and place it in the center of the microwave. [1]
    • A standard 2 cups (470 ml) measuring cup works perfect, but you can use any microwave-safe dish.
    • If you are sensitive to or don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can use less or add a few drops of any scented essential oil to cover the smell and still have great results. [2] Or, substitute lemon, lime, or orange juice for the vinegar. [3]
    • Depending on the size of your microwave, you can use more or less water and vinegar as long as you keep the 1:1 ratio.
  2. 2
    Wipe the debris out of your microwave before you steam it. Use a damp paper towel to wipe out any cooked on food and other debris that is inside of your microwave. Otherwise, it may get cooked on and this can make it harder to clean your microwave.
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  3. The solution will boil, heating up the microwave and releasing a lot of steam. It’s fine if it boils over a little, you are going to wipe it clean anyways.
    • If you place a small wooden spoon or toothpick in the dish with the solution, it helps the solution to boil by giving the bubbles a place to form. [4]
  4. The solution and the dish will be very hot, so be very careful when handling it and move it slowly to avoid injury.
    • Be sure to place the hot dish on a heat-resistant mat or trivet after you remove it so you don’t damage your countertop.
  5. The steam and the heat from the vinegar and water solution will have loosened all the particles from the walls, top, and bottom of the microwave. All that mess will wipe clean easily without any scrubbing. [5]
  6. Wipe the exterior clean of grease or stuck on food with the saturated sponge or paper towels that you used to clean in the interior.
    • You can follow up with a glass cleaner or a fresh vinegar and water solution to clean up any streaking and make your microwave look beautiful.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Steaming with Lemon Oil

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  1. Add 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of water and 3 drops of lemon essential oil to a clean small spray bottle and shake it to mix it all together. [6]
    • You can add 2 or 3 more drops of lemon essential oil if you want a strong lemony scent.
  2. 2
    Remove any debris from the microwave before you steam it. Get a paper towel wet with water and then wring it out. Wipe out the inside of the microwave with the paper towel to remove any cooked on food and other debris.
  3. Be sure that you soak the entire interior of the microwave with the lemon water solution. Get in the corners and don’t forget the top where a lot of food splatter hides from view. [7]
    • If you run out of solution, just quickly whip up another batch and keep spraying.
  4. Soak a sponge with clean water and place it in the center of the oven. Close the door and microwave on high for 2 minutes, allowing for the microwave to heat up and for the sponge to release steam.
    • Make sure the sponge is very wet before you microwave it. The water from the sponge is what’s going to produce the steam that will loosen all the bits of food and grease from the walls of the microwave.
  5. The sponge will be very hot from microwaving it and still have scalding water inside of it, so wait at least 5 minutes before you try to pick it up.
    • Don't let it cool to room temperature or the inside of the microwave will dry and the food and grease will harden again.
  6. Wipe down the walls, bottom, and top of the microwave. The lemon solution and steam should have loosened everything and it will wipe clean without scrubbing. [8]
    • If there are still stuck-on bits of food or grease, repeat the process one more time from the beginning and it should wipe clean easily.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Cut Lemons

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  1. 1
    Wipe out the microwave with a damp paper towel. Wet a paper towel with plain water and wring it out. Then, use the damp paper towel to wipe any cooked on food and other debris out of the microwave before you steam it.
  2. You can use lemons that are a little past their prime and starting to shrivel and any microwave safe plate. Cut the lemon across the wide part in the middle and place it cut-side down onto the plate.
    • If you don’t have a lemon, you can substitute a lime in its place. [9]
  3. Microwaving the lemon in water will create a lemony steam that will loosen dried on food particles and oils.
    • You can add more or less water depending on the size of your microwave and your dish, but 1 tablespoon (15 ml) should be enough to create the lemony steam you need to clean the microwave.
  4. The plate, lemons, and water will be very hot, so be sure to use heat-resistant oven mitts or hot pads when handling it. [10]
    • When moving the plate, do so slowly to avoid any spills that could result in injury.
  5. As soon as you remove the plate with the lemons from the microwave, wipe down the walls, top, and bottom with wet paper towels or a wet sponge.
    • You can chop up the lemon into small bits and run it through your garbage disposal with hot water. [11] This will clean the garbage disposal blades and make the kitchen smell great. [12]
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      Tips

      • To make clean up of the bottom of the microwave easier, you can remove the glass turntable plate before steaming the microwave and run it through the dishwasher or wash by hand in the sink.
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      • Wipe down the microwave every 2 to 3 days to help keep it cleaner for longer.
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      • Place a plate or paper towel over items that might splatter in the microwave, such as chili and saucy pasta.
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      Warnings

      • Never use bleach or other strong chemicals when you clean your microwave. They can damage your microwave, create strong fumes when you heat them, and they may even get into your food.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Using Vinegar

      • 1 cup (240 ml) of water
      • 1 cup (240 ml) of white or apple cider vinegar
      • A microwave-safe dish
      • A wooden toothpick or small wooden spoon
      • Oven mitts or hot pads
      • Paper towels or a sponge
      • Any scented essential oil (optional)

      Steaming with Lemon Oil

      • Paper towel
      • Small spray bottle
      • 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of water
      • Lemon essential oil
      • Any kitchen sponge

      Using Cut Lemons

      • 1 lemon
      • A microwave-safe dish
      • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water
      • Oven mitts or hot pads
      • Paper towels or a sponge

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2-ways-to-clean-your-microwave/
      2. ↑ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-clean-a-microwave-vinegar-steam/
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17694/spring-cleaning-microwave-grime/
      4. ↑ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-clean-a-microwave-vinegar-steam/
      5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17694/spring-cleaning-microwave-grime/
      6. ↑ https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2-ways-to-clean-your-microwave/
      7. ↑ https://oneessentialcommunity.com/8-diy-recipes-for-cleaning-with-lemon-essential-oil-plus-a-free-printable/
      8. ↑ https://www.betternutrition.com/natural-living/essential-oil-cleaning-recipes
      9. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/diy-7-surprising-household-uses-limes-t34091
      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-your-microwave-with-just-a-lemon-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-200294
      2. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-your-kitchen-sink-136771
      3. ↑ https://learn.compactappliance.com/how-to-clean-microwave/

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