Things to Consider When Cleaning Your Microwave

Long and trouble-free operation of the microwave oven is ensured by proper care of it. In the process of heating, cooking or defrosting food, the walls of the inner chamber of the stove are covered with a greasy coating, pieces of dried, burnt food.

How to clean the microwave at home? The article describes traditional and professional methods of washing the microwave oven using steam, citrus fruits and vinegar. All the subtleties of cleaning a household appliance are taken into account, expert advice is given, and precautions are listed.

Microwave cleaning methods

The most suitable option for cleaning a microwave oven at home is given in the user manual, which must be studied before using the purchased device.

To prevent dirt from becoming stubborn deposits, it is recommended to lightly clean the inside of the container after every cooking.

It is enough to wipe the walls and bottom of the inner space with a soft cloth soaked in warm water. More thorough cleaning is prescribed to be done 1-2 times a month.

To clean the outside of the microwave oven, the manufacturer recommends using a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Wipe down first with a cloth dampened in soapy water, then with a clean, damp cloth to remove soapy residues. When finished, wipe with a dry soft cloth. The best wiping cloth is microfiber. It is soft, does not scratch the coating, and absorbs moisture well.

With citric acid

Dried and hardened substances adhering to the inner walls can be softened with hot steam. The microwave is able to arrange a real "steam room" for itself. Pour 400 ml of water into a glass dish and add two tablespoons of citric acid to it. Mix well and place on a tray in the oven. Citric acid will act as a catalyst to enhance the action of the steam. Close the door and turn on the appliance for ten minutes at maximum power.

After the time has elapsed, remove the round plate and the roller ring from the chamber. Then remove soggy splashes and dirt stains from the walls with a cloth and soapy water. Then rinse the inner coatings and wipe well. The glass pan and roller wheel can be cleaned using the same cleaning products: a cloth and warm soapy water.

If citric acid is not at hand, lemon juice in the amount of two tablespoons squeezed from two halves of lemon can replace it. Leftover fruit can be cut into wedges and added to water with lemon juice. The cleaning procedure is the same as for citric acid.

Baking soda

Many housewives use baking soda for washing and cleaning dishes at home. This effective and environmentally friendly product is also great for cleaning your microwave oven. Sodium bicarbonate up to 60 degrees, when interacting with water, forms a slightly alkaline environment and dissolves fat deposits well. Acidic constituents at higher temperatures also have a positive effect on oil contamination. The algorithm of actions is the same as in the method described above.

Combine half a liter of water with three tablespoons of baking soda in a glass microwave container. We place the soda composition in the inner chamber of the oven on a rotating tray. With the door closed, we set the mode for 10 minutes at full power. In the absence of a sufficient effect, the exposure time can be increased by another five minutes. The final stage is rinsing and wiping with a cloth and warm water, if necessary, soapy water.

Glass cleaner

There is always a glass cleaner in the house to clean the microwave. It contains isopropyl alcohol - an excellent solvent that dissolves well in water in any proportions.

To clean the oven, you need a mixture:

• 2 parts cleaner;
• 1 part water.

The inner and outer coatings of the microwave device are washed from dirt with a soft foam sponge moistened with the prepared composition. The dried particles and hardened carbon deposits are abundantly impregnated with the prepared solution. Wait about five minutes until the dirt is soft enough to be removed without hindrance. At the end of the process, all surfaces are wiped several times with a cloth moistened with clean water to remove residual dirt and detergent.

Orange skins

In the process of cleaning the microwave oven, you can add a little southern exoticism. Orange peel containing organic acids and essential oils will serve as a cleanser. With the help of orange peels, you can not only carry out preventive cleaning of the microwave, but also revive the oven, covered with old fat and carbon deposits. To do this, you will have to be patient and repeat the cleaning operation several times.

You need to take a glass saucepan, fill it with pieces of orange peel and fill it with water. Then put the container inside the chamber, close the door and turn it on at full power for ten minutes. After the liquid has boiled for the set time, wash the inner walls, ceiling and oven door with a cloth moistened with citrus water. The result of the work will be not only cleanliness, but also a pleasant orange aroma.

Laundry soap

Laundry soap, which contains alkali, occupies the leading position in the ranking of detergents for cleaning microwave ovens. Soap solution can be used in combination with the above methods and as an independent option.

Warm soapy water and a soft fiber cloth are a proven, effective product for regular cleaning of all microwave oven parts:

• internal and external surfaces;
• doors and seals;
• glass tray, stands and roller ring.

All components of the microwave device are treated with soapy water, washed and wiped dry.

Vinegar

An affordable option for removing light to medium soils may be 9% strength plain vinegar. Pour 1-1.5 cups of water into a glass cup and add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar or a teaspoon of vinegar essence. By heating for 9 minutes at maximum power, a steam "bath" is created inside the chamber. Dirt and fatty accumulations become friable, can be easily removed with a cloth soaked in the same vinegar solution.

Important!

Due to the strong smell of acetic acid, work should be done in a well-ventilated area. Vinegar fumes evaporate quickly. At the end of the procedure, wipe the surfaces with a clean damp cloth. If the effect is insufficient, the cleaning process can be repeated.

Store products and chemicals for cleaning microwave ovens

Of the ready-made detergents sold in the trade network, dishwashing gels (Fairy, AOS, Sorti) are used for washing microwave ovens. A porous sponge is soaked in water and, without squeezing, a little detergent is dripped onto it. A few squeezes create abundant foam inside the sponge. Then it is placed on a plate and placed in the microwave chamber. The oven is turned on for 30 seconds at the lowest power.

Important!

Watch the condition of the sponge so that it does not melt. The vapors of the cleaning solution released during heating soften grease and dirt. After turning off the power to the device, the exfoliated grease and softened dirt can be easily removed with the same sponge and detergent solution.

Top expert tips

1. Clearly follow the recommendations given in the user manual.
2. To avoid the accumulation of grease, food particles and their burning, you should regularly (1-2 times a month) clean all surfaces of the oven, including the door, seals and internal fittings.
3. Clean the inside of the oven after every cooking with a mild detergent that is safe for your health. Constant uncomplicated cleaning facilitates the operation of the household appliance.
4. Cleaning should be started only after the oven has cooled down and is disconnected from electricity.
5. First, you need to remove all supports, glass tray, ring with rollers from the chamber. You should start from the ceiling of the container, then go to the side walls, the bottom, the door is the last in line for cleanliness.
6. To prevent ingredients from splashing, cookware must be covered with a glass or plastic lid when heating. When defrosting, wrap food with cling film.
7. From household chemicals, work only with microwave oven cleaners, carefully read the instructions on the package.
8. Start cleansing with traditional methods: simple water and safe recipes. Use more powerful cleaners only for stubborn, neglected dirt.

Video: How to wash a very dirty microwave: a comparison of folk methods and household chemicals

Mandatory rule!

The employee must wear rubber gloves, use additional protective equipment.

What not to do when washing the microwave oven

1. Too often use citric acid and acetic acid, which can damage the enamel of the camera.
2. Use scouring pads, fragile sponges with loose particles that can damage the oven equipment.
3. Wipe off dirt with abrasive powders that scratch the ceramic coating.
4. Pour liquids into the ventilation holes and the microwave grill.

Important!

It is better not to spray aerosols and sprays, but carefully apply to a sponge or napkin.

How to clean the heating element of the microwave

If the microwave oven is equipped with a grill and the owner actively uses it, the grease will burn on the heating element. Regular cleaning of the heating element from fatty deposits will be required. Otherwise, a burning smell may appear and the service life of the electric heater will be significantly reduced.

To care for heating elements, a wide range of modern effective sprays, gels and aerosols is offered on the market.

A brief overview of the offered professional tools:

• "Mister Chister";
• Ariston;
• Sano Microwave Cleaner.

The main difficulty of cleaning is the hard-to-reach cylindrical surface of the heating element tubes.

A popular budget cleaning method using technical alcohol and a homemade wire hook bent along the diameter of the heater tubes. The hook is wrapped with cotton or gauze, dipped in an alcohol solution and begins to clean, moving around the circumference of the tubes.

How to remove an unpleasant odor

Ordinary table salt, left overnight in the oven chamber, will cope with the nasty smell in the microwave.

An unpleasant odor that persists is adsorbed by activated carbon. To do this, coal tablets must be crushed and left in the microwave oven for a long time.

To remove the heavy spirit, a container with water and slices of citrus fruits is placed inside the chamber. Turn on the oven for ten minutes and enjoy the fresh aroma.