How To Clean A Dirty Microwave With Lemon

Need advice on how to clean a microwave inside and out? From full meal preparation to reheating leftovers, many of us rely on our microwaves daily. With heavy use, they can quickly harbour spills, stains and unpleasant odours.

How often should you clean a microwave?

'Microwaves need to be cleaned regularly to maintain the appliance and ensure that food continues tasting exactly as it should,' says Victoria Miller, small appliance expert at AO.com.

To remove bacteria build-up and keep strong smells at bay, the experts recommend you deep clean your microwave once a week to over three to four weeks. If you heat up a lot of messy foods (such as those prone to spillages), you may need to clean it more often – and you should always aim to wipe up spillages or crumbs after every use. Without consistent cleaning, food will harden inside the microwave and it will become more difficult to clean.

Before you begin a thorough clean, the cleaning materials and tools you will need include:

Microwave-safe bowl filled with water
Lemons
Microfibre cloth
Kitchen towel
White vinegar
Cleaning brush
Washing-up liquid

Follow the simple steps below on how to clean a microwave:

Step 1: Wipe the inside

To clean your microwave, first remove the turntable and wash it by hand using dish soap and hot water. Then, using a scrub brush or cloth remove any food debris or other discolouration inside.

'Start by wiping out any looser food residue with a warm damp cloth and some detergent; washing-up liquid works well,' says Rosie Clarke, Product Training Manager at Miele GB. 'Be careful not to use too much water though, as this can damage the appliance.'

woman hand cleaning microwave oven with sponge

MarianVejcik Getty Images

Step 2: Deep clean the inside

Creating a steamy environment in your microwave will help to loosen any stubborn food messes inside and cut through grime. Depending on what you prefer, you can either clean your microwave using lemon or white vinegar.

'A quick and easy method for cleaning your microwave is to fill a small microwave-safe bowl with water and a tablespoon of white vinegar (you can also use lemon juice). Then, put your microwave on high for five minutes to loosen any hardened grime,' explains Victoria.

Once the time is up, carefully remove the dish and let it cool down for another five minutes. Next, wipe the interior down with a wet paper towel or reusable dish cloth. Thanks to high heat levels, any grease, tough stains, and stubborn food splatters will easily wipe away.

a method of cleaning in a microwave oven with water and lemon

MarianVejcik Getty Images

Step 3: Wipe the outside

John Lewis

Brabantia Microfibre Dish Cloths, Set of 2

Brabantia johnlewis.com

£3.75

Don't forget to wipe the outside of your microwave. Spray the exterior with a water and vinegar solution, before wiping it down with a microfibre kitchen cloth. Long-term exposure to certain cleaning products can damage a stainless steel microwave, so always opt for a natural solution if you can.

Why not give your microwave that extra shine by polishing the door? For fuss-free and streak-free results, use E-cloth's glass cleaning and polishing cloth. Simply spray the door, and handle with water and wipe using the cloth. You'll have a sparkling clean microwave in no time...

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10 books to inspire you to clean, declutter and organise your home

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying

Vermilion amazon.co.uk

£10.55

Marie Kondo's Spark Joyis an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. If something sparks joy, keep it, if not, expel it from your home. This book covers every room in the house, as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables.

The Home Edit: Conquering the clutter with style

Famous home organisers to the stars, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin give you a masterclass in paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-find way (they love a label), and maintaining the system so you don't need another do-over in six months. You can also watch their show,Get Organised with The Home Edit, on Netflix.

The Organised Mum Method: Transform your home in 30 minutes a day

If you need to revolutionise your home routine, try the popular The Organised Mum Method (TOMM). The concept by Gemma Bray promises to help you 'clean smarter not harder' by spending 30 minutes cleaning a different room each day of the week – and it'll spare you your weekends, too.

Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book On Decluttering You'll Ever Need

Tracy McCubbin delves into the root of why many of us struggle to keep our homes decluttered. McCubbin's powerful answer lies in the 7 Emotional Clutter Blocks – obstacles she will help readers overcome in order to declutter their homes and improve their overall wellbeing.

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets

Dana K. White explains, clearly and without delusions, what it takes to get – and keep – your home under control. Her strategies include where to start to tame the chaos, which habits deserve your focus and will make the most impact, and practical tips you can implement immediately to declutter a huge amount of stuff with minimal drama.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: The Japanese Art

Marie Kondo's successful KonMari Method will help to keep your home clear and clutter-free permanently. If you follow the inspirational step-by-step, you're promised to see results.

The Easy Life: Quick ways to clean and manage your home all year round

Manage your home with Lynsey Crombie, Instagram sensation and TV's Queen of Clean, as she creates a system of speed-cleaning challenges, organisational habits and natural cleaners. Lynsey aims to share what she's learned to help you take the stress out of everyday life, so you can focus on what brings you joy.

Declutter: The get-real guide to creating calm from chaos

Kyle Books amazon.co.uk

£8.99

Described as bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, energy and humour into the essential and often mundane task of decluttering. Debora Robertson also helps you declutter your mind for an easier and more efficient life.

Banish Clutter Forever: How the Toothbrush Principle Will Change Your Life

Banish Clutter Forever's Toothbrush Principle is a simple approach to decluttering your home – whether you live in a huge house or a small flat. It will show you how to: organise according to the unconscious blueprint that naturally tidy people have, know what to throw away with confidence, set up your wardrobe so you get much more use out of the clothes you have, and work from home productively in a clear, designated space.

Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul

Stay on top of your cleaning routine with Sophie Hinchliffe – better known Mrs Hinch – and her book, Hinch Yourself Happy. Mrs Hinch shares how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress, plus step-by-step guides to hinching your home.

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