How to Clean Your Microwave Naturally with Lemon

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Steam your microwave clean and leave it smelling fresh
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Your microwave is likely one of the most-used appliances in your kitchen, and not cleaning it regularly can lead to baked-on food debris and stains. Luckily, cleaning a microwave is easy peasy! All you need is a microwavable bowl, a lemon, some water, and a towel. Keep reading to learn how to quickly steam clean and wipe down your microwave in 5 simple steps. Plus, we’ve got additional tricks for removing stubborn and baked-on stains.

The Best Way to Clean a Microwave

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup (240 mL) water and the juice of 1 lemon. Place the lemon rinds in the bowl and microwave for 3-5 minutes. Let the bowl cool for 15 minutes before removing it from the microwave and wiping down the inside of the oven with a cloth.

Section 1 of 6:

Steam Cleaning the Microwave with Lemon Water

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    Cut a lemon in half and squeeze as much juice as possible from each half into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, pour the water over the lemon juice and stir with a spoon to mix thoroughly. [1]
    • If you don't have a lemon available, use another citrus fruit like a lime or an orange.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    Once you've squeezed all the juice out of the lemons, use a sharp knife to cut the lemon into quarters or eighths. Put all of the pieces into the water and stir the mixture with a spoon again. [2]
    • This ensures that any juice still in the lemon will evaporate in the microwave to help remove dirt and debris.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    Place the bowl in the microwave uncovered and set it on high for about 3 minutes (or longer for extra dirty microwaves). The water should bubble and boil and may evaporate out of the bowl. After 3 minutes, leave the door closed so the steam from the water can't escape. [3]
    • If there's still some water left in the bowl, microwave it for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until almost all of the water has evaporated.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    Keep the door to the microwave closed until most of the steam has settled and condensed on the walls of the microwave. Then, carefully open the door and remove the bowl so you can start cleaning. [4]

    Warning: The bowl may be very hot when you take it out of the microwave. If it's too warm to touch, use oven mitts to safely remove it.

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    Lift the turntable out of the microwave and wipe it with the towel. Set it aside and wipe the sides and ceiling of the microwave, using the water as your cleaning agent. Don't forget to wipe down the inside of the door. The food and markings on the inside of the microwave should wipe off easily. [5]
    • If you don't want to use a towel, use a damp sponge with a scrubbing pad to wipe the inside of the microwave.
    • If the bowl and turntable are still warm to the touch, put on oven mitts to remove them.
    • Remember to replace the turntable once the microwave is clean.
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Section 2 of 6:

Removing Tough Microwave Stains

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    If you know your microwave is particularly dirty, add 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar to your lemon juice and water mixture to create a stronger cleaning agent. Be sure to stir the mixture thoroughly, as vinegar can have a strong smell that may linger in your microwave. [6]
    • If you don't have any caked-on food in your microwave, you probably don't need to add any vinegar to the lemon water.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    Sprinkle baking soda over a stain or piece of crusted-on food and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes. Then, dip a cloth in the lemon water and scrub the stain vigorously. The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to chip away at baked-on food and the lemon water helps dissolve the food as it comes off. [7]
    • Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth so there's no baking soda left behind on the interior of the microwave.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Microwave With a Lemon
    If there's a spot that just won't come off, wet the corner of a towel with any leftover lemon water. Then, scrub the spot to remove the stain. If the stain won't budge, spray on a multi-surface spray for extra cleaning power. [8]
    • If you don't have any lemon water left, microwave a new batch for 2 minutes and let it stand for 5 minutes in the microwave. Then, use the leftover water to help remove the mark.
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Section 3 of 6:

How often should you clean your microwave?

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    Wipe down your microwave more frequently if you notice it collecting stains or food debris. To avoid splatters and increase the time between cleanings, cover your food with a microwave-safe cover. [9]
    • Paper towels, wax paper, plastic wrap, glass covers, and silicone lids can all be used to safely prevent splatters in the microwave.
Section 4 of 6:

What is the quickest way to clean a microwave?

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    Lemon and vinegar are both mild acids. When these ingredients are added to a bowl of water and heated, the combination of steam and acid easily and effectively loosens any food residue in the oven.
    • Using lemon and vinegar is also a healthy option, as they’re natural, food-safe ingredients that won’t affect the food you later eat out of the microwave. [10]
    • You can also opt to use lemon or vinegar. Most people prefer the scent of lemon, which is why it’s the more popular option for cleaning microwaves .
    • Baking soda also works well for baked-on items that need to be scrubbed away. However, it must be rinsed more thoroughly to remove any powder residue.
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Section 5 of 6:

How do you get the smell out of a microwave?

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    Mix 1 cup (240 mL) water with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of lemon juice or white vinegar in a microwave-safe container. Heat the solution in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. [11]
    • Let the mixture cool slightly, then dip a cloth into the solution and use it to wipe down the inside of the microwave.
    • Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the solution, then use another clean cloth to dry the interior. Leave the microwave door open until the inside dries completely.
    • If your microwave odor still lingers, leave a bowl of baking soda in the microwave for about 12 hours. The baking soda should absorb any strong odors and leave your microwave smelling fresh.
Section 6 of 6:

What should you avoid when cleaning a microwave?

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    Avoid any harsh chemicals, cleaners, or cleaning wipes—especially those that contain bleach, ammonia, or oven cleaner. These cleaners can release toxic fumes into your microwave and potentially contaminate your food, as well as create an unpleasant smell. [12]
    • Similarly, avoid using abrasive sponges or steel wool to wipe down the microwave, as they may scratch the interior of the appliance.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get out burn smells in a microwave?
    Community Answer
    You can get burn smells out of a microwave by cutting a lemon in half and gently scrubbing at the inside of the microwave. After a few minutes of doing this you should no longer smell that smell.
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      Tips

      • Keep your microwave clean and avoid baked-on stains by wiping down microwave spills right when they happen. [13]
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      Warnings

      • Be careful not to tip or spill the remaining water after you remove it from the microwave. It can still be very hot for up to 15 minutes.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.themakeyourownzone.com/homemade-microwave-cleaner/
      2. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/easy-microwave-cleaner-452969
      3. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/easy-microwave-cleaner-452969
      4. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-microwave
      5. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-microwave
      6. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/home/cleaning-and-housekeeping/clean-microwave-with-vinegar
      7. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/sites/default/files/research-pdfs/Alternative_Hard_Surface_Cleaners.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/room-room/cleaning-refrigerator
      9. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-microwave
      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-a-microwave-281474979530474/
      2. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/home/how-to-get-smell-out-of-microwave#toc-how-to-clean-a-stinky-microwave-with-common-kitchen-products
      3. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mistakes-when-cleaning-microwave-37263045
      4. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/home/room-guide

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a microwave with a lemon, start by mixing 1 cup of water with the juice from 1 lemon in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, cut the juiced lemon up into quarters, and place the pieces in the bowl. Next, microwave the mixture for 3 minutes before letting it cool in the microwave for 5 minutes, which will be enough time for the lemon water to condense on the walls of the microwave. Finally, remove the bowl and wipe down the microwave with a clean towel. For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, like how to use vinegar and baking soda to clean your microwave, read on!

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