How to Clean Microwave with Baking Soda

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Microwave ovens are one of the most convenient ways to cook and reheat food, but these appliances tend to be forgotten when it’s time to clean the kitchen.

The great news is that you can easily clean your microwave with a standard and inexpensive household product – baking soda! If you’re wondering how to clean the microwave with baking soda, this article is for you.

The inside microwaves can get caked up with oil, sauces, and other food residues, while the outside can become dusty and grimy.

Keeping your microwave oven clean is essential because harmful bacteria could grow on the food residue, which would be dangerous if it enters the food you are cooking. Built-up food residue can also lessen the efficiency of your microwave and be a potential source of fires.

In this article, I will outline several ways you can use baking soda to clean your microwave.

Microwave Baking Soda (a.k.a. The official ARM & HAMMER™ Method)

This is the easiest and quickest way to clean the inside of your microwave with baking soda. You will need the following materials:

• Hot water
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Baking soda
• Cleaning cloth

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup of hot water.
2. Stir the baking soda in hot water until it is completely dissolved
3. Place the bowl inside your microwave
4. Run microwave until mixture is fully boiling (about 5 minutes)
5. Once it is boiling, turn off your microwave
6. Make sure to keep the microwave door closed
7. Wait 10 minutes to allow steam to soften any dirt
8. Remove the bowl from the microwave (Caution: Use oven mitts as this may be hot)
9. Wipe all surfaces with a damp cleaning cloth (including the bottom, sides, top, and inside of the door)

Directly Apply Baking Soda (a.k.a. The Wipe Down Method)

This method is the most physically intensive and thorough way to clean the inside of your microwave so it may take more time. You will need the following materials:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Cleaning cloth
• Dishwashing soap
• Sponge
• Distilled white vinegar (alternative)
• Lemons (alternative)

Instructions:

1. Remove the turn table and carousel
2. Soak them in warm soapy water
3. Sprinkle baking soda all over the bottom of your microwave
4. Create a paste by mixing two-parts baking soda with one-part water/vinegar/lemon juice
5. Spread the baking soda paste evenly to the bottom of your microwave
6. Dampen your cleaning cloth with water
7. Wipe and scrub the microwave
8. Make sure to scrub the sides and top of your microwave and the inside of the door.
9. Rinse out your cleaning cloth
10. Repeat previous steps as needed to remove all traces of dirt and baking soda
11. Wash the turn table and carousel with dishwashing soap
12. Rinse and dry your turn table and carousel

As mentioned, an alternative you can try is to use vinegar or lemon juice instead of water to create a paste with the baking soda.

Combining baking soda with vinegar or lemon juice creates a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas. This is what causes it to bubble and what makes it a potent cleaning agent.

Due to its acidic nature, vinegar can break down dirt, grease, and grime. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It’s best to use distilled white vinegar to prevent staining from darker-colored vinegar.

Like vinegar, lemon’s acidity makes it an excellent cleaning product and has also been shown to have antibacterial properties. Lemon is a good alternative if you prefer a fresher and more pleasant smell while cleaning.

Deodorize Microwave with Baking Soda

This method is similar to microwaving baking soda but adds vinegar or lemon juice to the mixture to help deodorize foul odors. Vinegar and lemon are non-toxic household ingredients that are also often used for household cleaning.

Together with baking soda, these ingredients will help neutralize any odors that may be coming from your microwave. The vinegar smell usually disappears after a few hours, but some people may find the scent unpleasant.

If you want your microwave to have a fresh citrus scent instead, then microwaving a baking soda and lemon juice solution could be the best choice.

You will need the following materials:

• Hot water
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Cleaning cloth
• Distilled white vinegar or lemon

Instructions:

1. Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl for those using vinegar.
2. For lemon, squeeze half a lemon and mix it with one cup of hot water.
3. Place the bowl inside your microwave.
4. Run the microwave until the solution is fully boiling (about 5 minutes)
5. Once it is boiling, turn off the microwave
6. Wait 10 minutes to allow steam to soften any dirt. Don’t open the door through that time.
7. Remove bowl from microwave (Caution: Use oven mitts as this may be hot)
8. Wipe all surfaces with a damp cleaning cloth (including the bottom, sides, top, and inside of the door)

Clean the Outside of the Microwave With Baking Soda

It’s a good idea to clean the outside of your microwave regularly. Over time, the surface can become grimy or covered in dust, and the vent can become clogged, affecting your microwave’s functionality.

You will need the following materials:

• Warm water
• Cleaning cloth
• Paper towel
• Baking soda
• Toothpick

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of warm water.
2. Stir the baking soda in the warm water until its fully dissolved
3. Dampen the cloth with baking soda and water mixture
4. Wipe outside thoroughly
5. Rinse the cloth and repeat step 4 as needed
6. Clean the vents by wrapping a paper tissue around a toothpick. Don’t be too aggressive to avoid dropping the tissue inside the vent.

Conclusion

Cleaning your microwave is as easy as using it. By using baking soda and following the steps mentioned above, you can keep your microwave sparkling clean and smelling fresh without spending too much money or time.