When you clean the kitchen, it’s second nature to wipe down the surfaces and the hob. But the microwave is cleaned less frequently – even if it gets heavy use.
If you don’t remember the last time you cleaned your microwave, it’s probably time to give it a good scrub. Microwaves can quickly get dirty and start to smell a little stale, but you don’t need fancy products to get it sparkling clean again. In fact, you likely have everything you need to clean your microwave in the fridge right now.
All it takes to get your microwave gleaming again is a lemon and a bowl of water This simple hack comes from Morgan Van Wyck, who posts as @meandcharlee_talkin on TikTok.
Morgan said this method is quick, easy and leaves your microwave smelling fresh. She simply cuts an old lemon in half, and places it inside a bowl of water then microwaves it for five minutes.
However, when the timer goes off, don’t grab the bowl. Morgan said: “Don’t take the bowl out. You’ll burn your hands.”
Instead, she recommends you “keep the microwave closed for about 15 minutes.”
By trapping the steam inside the microwave, dried food will be softened and grease will be loosened., This means it’s far easier to scrub clean, and your microwave will smell fresh and citrusy too.
As an additional step, after you‘ve wiped your microwave clean, you can remove the plate inside and wash it in the sink with dishwashing liquid – just like any other plate.
Not only is this hack cheap, without the need for fancy products but it’s chemical free and won’t damage your microwave. Without harsh chemicals, your microwave will be fresh, clean and ready to use again.
Comments on Morgan’s video were thrilled with the cleaning method, with one person saying: “This is exactly the way I clean my microwave!”
Another said: “I started following you a few weeks ago because you have great tips AND because you’re normal…we all have dirty microwaves. I clean mine daily and it still looks like that at times.”