How To Clean a Microwave
Microwaves are convenient, but not so convenient to clean when time passes and buildup occurs. Due to the varying temperatures that the interior of a microwaves faces, any food waste that gets left behind in between cleanings can become “stuck” on the interior surface.
A general spray and wipe of the interior can sometimes be all you need, depending on the level of usage and how often you clean. However, sometimes deeper cleaning methods are necessary.
In this article, I go over a few different methods that you can approach when cleaning your microwave. The goal is to make this as effortless as possible so that you aren’t spending an enormous amount of time scrubbing this tiny food-splatter-capsule. Also, not to mention…the angle in which some microwaves are placed can be super inconvenient for scrubbing. This will also depend on your height, of course. Nevertheless, it needs to get done. Let’s just make it as easy as possible.
(1) pre-treatment
Let’s start by addressing the challenge of baked on food. Similar to an oven, the high heat temperatures in a microwave hardens any food splatters. As a result, food adheres to the interior surface of the microwave, making it hard to lift. In order to loosen this, you’ll need to saturate the surface with a cleaner. Here’s two different options:
Option 1 - All Purpose Spray / maintenance clean: generously spray the interior of the microwave, including the interior of the door. Close the door to the microwave and let sit for at least 10 minutes (or longer, if needed) while you clean other areas of the kitchen.
Option 2 - Soap + Water in a Cup / deep clean: squirt a dollop of dish soap in a microwavable cup (a mug works well) and add water. Microwave the mug with soap and water in it for 1 minute. Once the cycle has completed, remove the mug (careful, it will be hot!). This will create a soapy steam bath effect for the interior of the microwave, which will immediately begin to loosen the baked on food.
(2) remove microwave plate & turntable
A microwave plate can easily be scrubbed like a dish in the sink. If you notice hardened food, you can soak this in the sink prior to scrubbing. After washing this in the sink, set aside to air dry. This is a natural first step as this removes one surface in the microwave to clear the area.
(3) scrub
Once the microwave has been pre-treated, it’s time to scrub the interior surface to lift the food debris.
If there’s any remaining food debris that’s stuck: make a wet soapy towel in the sink. Apply a dollop dish soap to a terry cloth towel and run it under water in the sink. Wring out slightly. Scrub the interior.
(4) polish
Finally, to lift soap, food debris, and any other random bits: use super dry terry cloth towels to polish dry. Use multiple towels as needed to lift any remaining bits.
Sometimes a spritz of The Tidy People Glass Cleaner with a dry terry cloth towel will remove any lingering greasiness.
