How to Clean Microwave with Vinegar

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I think we’ve all been here before. You’ve had a long, exhausting day and want a quick meal before bed. As you open your microwave door, you find splatters of sauce and crumbs everywhere.

However, you don’t have the energy to scrub the dirt off! Now it’s time to learn how to clean your microwave with vinegar in just a few minutes. This is undoubtedly the easiest and most natural way to clean your appliance without exerting too much effort.

We’ll be able to get rid of the splatters and smell by using only water and white vinegar.

How to Clean Microwave with Vinegar

What You’ll Need:

• White vinegar
• Microwavable bowl / Glass measuring cup
• Sponge
• Clean and dry dish towel / Cleaning rag
• Lemon (optional, it helps provide a fresh scent)

Before You Get Started:

• Make sure to unplug your microwave from the outlet
• If your appliance sits on a countertop, move it aside
• Be careful when handling the turntable and glass plate
• Avoid getting chemicals or liquids into the vents of the microwave

Cleaning the Microwave

Mix Vinegar and Water

Mix two cups of water and two tbsp of vinegar using the microwavable bowl or measuring cup. If you don’t like the scent of the vinegar, add squeezed juice of a lemon for a fresh smell.

Microwave the Solution

Place the bowl or cup in the microwave. Run it for five minutes on high power, so the liquid comes to a boil. Let the steam continue to work and loosen the stubborn grease and grime. Don’t open the microwave door immediately when the timer goes off.

Remove the Bowl and Turntable

Carefully remove the bowl or cup. If your microwave has a turntable, remove it carefully as well.

Wipe Down Everything

Using a clean towel or cleaning rag, wipe down the turntable and the inside of the microwave—including the sides, top, and bottom. If there are still any stains, dip a sponge into the vinegar solution and gently scrub it.

Don’t Forget the Door and Keypad

Don’t forget to clean the microwave door too! Wipe the edges, both sides of the door, and the area where it seals the oven. While you’re at it, wipe the keypad, using a cloth damped with warm water and mild soap.

Give a Final Wipe-Down

Give your microwave a final wipe-down, then place all the removable parts inside.

Benefits of Using White Vinegar as Cleaning Solution

Multipurpose cleaners are certainly convenient. You can buy them anywhere and even use them on many different surfaces. Keep in mind though, that not all multipurpose cleaners are safe and environment-friendly.

On the other hand, white vinegar is a non-toxic and natural ingredient that can be used to clean many surfaces—even your microwave! The best thing about it is that it’s super cheap and can be found in your kitchen.

According to Lucy Searle, Global Editor in Chief for Homes & Gardens, vinegar is made from acetic acid, making it a natural disinfectant for different bacteria on contact. It includes salmonella and E. coli, both known for causing food-borne diseases.

Aside from that, steaming the solution can easily break down grease and dirt due to the vinegar’s acetic acid.

Other Surprising Uses of Vinegar (As a Household Cleaner)

Countertops

Since vinegar is a natural disinfectant, you can disinfect and remove odors from the countertops. However, it isn’t recommended to use vinegar on granite or marble. That’s because vinegar can reduce the luster of the stone.

Faucets

You can remove calcium deposits and water stains from the faucet using vinegar. Start by mixing two tsp of vinegar and one tsp of salt, then wrap a bag or cloth covered in the mixture around the faucet. Leave it overnight and wipe down the surface when done.

Toilets

The toilet is one of the most used fixtures in the house. Undoubtedly, it’s also one of the hardest and most time-consuming to clean. Pour two to three cups of undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave it for up to three hours.

After that, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush it to eliminate the surrounding stains. The best thing about vinegar is that it deodorizes the toilet too.

Tiles

You don’t have to use abrasive cleaners like bleach to clean and whiten your tiles and grout. Just spray undiluted vinegar on the tiles and let it soak in. After an hour, scrub it off with a brush.

Laundry

Vinegar also works magic in our laundry rooms! Spray a little white vinegar to remove stains and underarm odor on clothes. On top of that, soaking white fabrics in vinegar brings back their whiteness.

Remember not to use colored vinegar because it can stain your clothes.

Refrigerator

A fridge is an appliance that is quite hard to maintain. Still, with just a combination of vinegar and water, cleaning the fridge is just a piece of cake!

Combine three parts of hot water with one part of white vinegar, then spray the mixture onto the empty refrigerator shelves. Let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe the shelves with a dry towel.

The magic doesn’t stop here. White vinegar can also be a natural weed killer and so much more!

Conclusion

How to clean the microwave with vinegar? Vinegar isn’t only used for cooking. It’s an eco-friendly and low-cost household cleaner that you can get anywhere. You can readily clean your appliance and eliminate its odor by mixing vinegar and water.

Maybe cleaning your microwave is the last thing on your mind, but cleaning it once in a while is essential. A dirty microwave can be a breeding ground for bacteria. The best thing about using vinegar as a household cleaner is that you can let the kids do the chore. You don’t have to worry about intoxication and exposure to chemical solutions.