Steam cleaning a microwave with white vinegar gets the job done with minimal effort. This is because white vinegar is very acidic, making it a great natural cleaning product. The acidity means it can tackle microwave dirt and grime easily.
There are actually a few different ways to clean your microwave, but vinegar is an easy (and cheap) way to get the job done without any elbow grease. The reason vinegar works is because it's acidic.
While you can use either lemon juice or vinegar, using both may increase the solution's cleaning power. Always dilute the vinegar and/or lemon juice with water to avoid harming components that can result in a microwave not heating properly.
Take the microwave safe bowl or jug and add 500ml of water, followed by 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Place the bowl or jug into the microwave. Then microwave on full power for 5 minutes, you will notice the liquid beginning to boil. Once the 5 minutes is up, leave the microwave door closed for around 3 minutes.
Avoid using steel wool or abrasive sponges, as they can scratch the microwave's surface. Additionally, avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, such as bleach or ammonia, as they can damage the interior and leave harmful residues.
GE recommends placing a glass bowl with a cup of water and a tablespoon of lemon juice in the microwave and heating it until it is steaming. This should help loosen whatever is on the oven's interior. Then scrub the interior with a damp cloth and baking soda.
Fill the bowl or cup with 1 cup of tap water and stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Place the bowl inside the microwave. Heat the water-vinegar mixture on HIGH for one to two minutes, or until the liquid is boiling and steaming.
The only difference between cleaning vinegar and the distilled white vinegar is their levels of acidity. White vinegar is usually 95 percent water and 5 percent acid. By contrast, cleaning vinegar contains up to six percent acid and is around 20 percent stronger than regular white vinegar.
White and distilled are types of vinegar. They differ fundamentally in their acetic acid content. White, also known as spirit vinegar, has 5% to 20% acetic acid. This is generally higher as compared to distilled vinegar's 5%-8%.
You can use distilled white vinegar to give your microwave interior a steam cleaning. Dilute a cup of vinegar with a cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Optional: Add a few drops of essential oils or lemon juice to the vinegar mixture to weaken the vinegar odor.
The cleaner will cut through any dirt, grease, and grime which has built up in your microwave, as well as any food which has burnt on, leaving your microwave looking clean and smelling fresh. What's more, the non-toxic food-safe cleaner means that you can use the microwave straight away.
Though it depends on how frequently you use your microwave, a good rule of thumb is to clean your microwave about once a week. Frequent cleaning helps prevent messes from getting caked on and makes each wipe down that much easier. Be sure to clean your microwave immediately after any large spills or splatters occur.
These wipes contain chemicals designed to kill germs on surfaces such as countertops and sinks, but they can leave behind harmful residue and potentially damage the interior of the microwave.
How do you remove dried grease? A mixture of dish soap, kosher salt, and baking soda can help remove dried grease. You may also want to use a mildly abrasive sponge (rather than a rag) to help lift off the grime.
The set time for vinegar can be up to 30 minutes. For example, to clean the insides of food-stained pots and pans, soak them in a mixture of one-half cup of white vinegar diluted with one gallon of water for 30 minutes.
Step 1: Fill a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and 1/4-cup of white vinegar. If you don't have vinegar handy, you can substitute one teaspoon of dish soap. Step 2: Put the solution in your microwave and cook it for approximately one to two minutes (this depends on what wattage you're using).
Can you clean a microwave with Windex? Yes, Windex will cut through grease, so you can use it to clean a microwave, however there are better alternatives, including natural cleaning agents, such as vinegar. Always ensure you rinse away any chemicals so that food is not contaminated.
If you don't have baking soda or a lemon, vinegar and water is a third effective way to clean your microwave. White vinegar is best for this household chore; buy yours from Amazon here. The ratio of vinegar to water is more or less up to you. Just be sure to dilute your vinegar with some water to decrease the strength.