When it comes to the world of kitchen chores, I think we can all agree there’s nothing more stubborn than a dirty microwave.
It’s basically an Olympic sport, tackling the almighty clean. Cleaning down the doors, the interior, the particularly stubborn turntable…
Sometimes we leave it for so long it fills us with literal dread.
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We’d all like to think we give it a good soapy wipe down every week, but the truth is probably a little bit different.
Well, what if I told you there’s an ingenious hack making the rounds that promises to make it so much easier?
TODAY spoke to experts Leslie Reichert and Jessica Ek from The Cleaning Institute, who lent their priceless advice and made our lives a whole lot easier in the process.
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When it comes to the easiest way to clean a microwave, Ek explained: “Clean spills as they happen to avoid getting them baked on, which is harder to remove.
“If you catch it quickly, you may just need to wipe it away with a paper towel or cloth."
Acting in the moment will save you a headache later on.
Sorry for being the bearer of bad news, but your microwave has a filter.
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Ek says: “Always follow manufacturer instructions to clean the filter. This can also usually be done with warm or hot water and a little dish soap. Let the filter soak, and then carefully scrub. Let dry before placing it back in the microwave."
Noted…
As for cleaning the outside? It seems self-explanatory but there’s always a bit more to learn.
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Ek's go-to hack is vinegar.
“Clean both the inside and the outside of your microwave. This includes wiping down the door handle and buttons. You can use your lemon juice or vinegar mixture, or a little dish soap and water.”
And of course, don’t neglect the turntable.
Ek continues: "For the turntable, you can remove it and wash it in the sink with soapy water, or even just stick it in the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe.
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“Just make sure the turntable is cool before washing and dry it before returning it to the microwave."
Cleaning your microwave with vinegar
Reichert has offered her expertise in how best to utilise vinegar for a sparkling clean.
Products:
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of white vinegar
A microwave-safe bowl
Damp sponge or microfiber cloth
Instructions:
Place the water and vinegar in a bowl and microwave on high until the mixture comes to a rolling boil and the window steams up.
Allow the microwave to cool for a few minutes, then wipe the interior down with the sponge or cloth.
Cleaning your microwave with lemon juice
Products:
1 lemon
A rag or clean cloth
A microwave-safe bowl
Around 1/2 cup of water
Instructions:
Squeeze all the lemon juice from your lemon into the bowl and combine with the 1/2 of water.
Ek says: "Heat the mixture for a few minutes and then let it sit [in the microwave] before wiping it down. The steam can help dislodge stuck-on grime."
Cleaning your microwave with baking soda
Products:
Baking soda
A rag/clean cloth
A microwave-safe bowl
Warm water
Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl of warm water.
Instructions:
Place in microwave and run for around three to five minutes, or until the microwave fills with steam.
Let the mixture sit in the closed microwave so the steam penetrates the grime.
Wipe clean!
It's also just as simple as sprinkling baking soda inside your microwave (removing the turntable first) and use a bowl of warm water to scrub the baking soda and then wipe it clean.
You're welcome!
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock ImagesTopics: Cleaning, Life Hacks, Home