Welcome to the chemist solutions series! Today we are sharingthe best DIY microwave cleaner step by step.
Cleaning a microwave can be a pain because it is hard to reach or get to, and the food can really get stuck! If you go to long without cleaning it, the food almost fuses to the surface. It is gross! When I started experimenting with DIY cleaners WAY back in the day, this was the first one I tried.
I have been using this little microwave cleaning hack for 10 years now, and it is the only thing I use. After I share the recipe with you, I will also give you some tips to make sure you keep your microwave clean for good.
DIY Microwave Cleaner Step by Step
One of my pet peeves is a nasty microwave! It really grosses me out and gets under my skin…I have always been this way. When I worked in an office, there was always someone burning popcorn or splattering food all over the microwave, then leaving it!
Cleaning a microwave and getting rid of the scent can be a little tricky too. First off, store bought cleaners are pricey and full of unsafe chemicals that aren’t even necessary to clean with. When it comes to a microwave, the last thing you want to do is add an ingredient that will react with the microwave when it’s on.
Store bought cleaners don’t always work that great either. I have spent so much time scrubbing down a microwave and really using some “elbow grease” to get it clean.
But, there is a much easier, effective way to do so with this DIY microwave cleaner.
The star ingredients in this cleaner are simply vinegar, water, and lemon.
Vinegar is one of the best cleaning elements you will ever use. It is actually fermented alcohol which makes it highly acidic. This acidic property is what allows for heavy duty cleaning.
Water is another fascinating ingredient that helps with the steaming process. Lemon is perfect deodorizer too!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water (tap water is fine)
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 lemon
- Microfiber Cloth
Directions:
- In a small, microwaveable bowl, mix the water and vinegar together.
- Cut open the lemon and squeeze out all the juice, then throw the lemon halves right into the liquid.
- The key is to use a smaller bowl so it heat up the solution faster. Add the bowl to the microwave and heat for 10 minutes.
- After the 10 minutes, it should be boiling and steamy inside (if it isn’t, your microwave may not be as strong or your bowl is too big, just heat for longer if this is the case). With a microfiber (this helps it work better, but you can use a regular towel too), simply wipe the inside out. It should clean everything really easy!
Bonus: This hot steamy bowl of lemony vinegar can be used to clean off your stove top, sink or anything else in the kitchen that may have some extra junk on it!
You may see different DIY recipes online that have more ingredients, but I promise, they aren’t necessary. These three are all that you need for a perfectly clean microwave.
Other Methods for Homemade Microwave Cleaning
You can try Infused vinegar too! We share infused vinegar recipes in the eBook, and they make a great option for this cleaner too. If you don’t have the eBook, you can use the same method we do for this infused rubbing alcohol. Just use vinegar instead 🙂
I love to use a microfiber cloth when I use this cleaner because it will get up every little piece of grim left, but you can use a regular towel if you don’t have that. Microfiber is a great option for cleaning everything. In fact, if you want to keep up with your microwave, you can wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth every few days!
Chemistry Behind This DIY Microwave Cleaning Hack
Vinegar
Vinegar (acetic acid) is a great acid for breaking apart particles. It is the steam effect that makes this work like magic! when the acid heats up, it helps release everything on the surface of the microwave.
Water
Boiling water steams quickly. It creates moisture in the microwave which helps the vinegar work better too. Water is a great tool for cleaning!
Lemon
The lemon not only adds to the acidity, but also makes a really nice scent! For those who aren’t fans of vinegar scents, lemon will help mask that strong odor.
Why this is better than store-bought cleaners
Store-bought cleaners contain chemicals to disinfect and clean, adding those to your microwave is not the safest thing. When you heat up your microwave with food, it is possible for leftover cleaner to get into food. Not to mention the fumes from chemicals can cause issues. It is best to not add anything like this to your microwave for safety!
So, now you have the recipe for the BEST homemade Microwave Cleaner that will save you time and money!
Come back next week for more chemist solutions for healthier, easier, and better living!
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Thank you for sharing this amazing DIY method with us! I am not a big fan of microwaves, but I am sure this method is good for cleaning other surfaces too.
Thank you! This solution works great for other things, as long as it has been heated to boiling 🙂 Have a great day!
I have done this in the past and it works great! Do you know if lemon juice can be used if I don’t have lemons?
You definitely use just lemon juice! It is really just for the added scent, it doesn’t aide in the cleaning part. You can eliminate it too! It will just have a stronger vinegar scent 🙂
Yup, totally using this over the weekend to clean my microwave! It needs a good cleaning! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
It will work great! And it makes it super easy to clean it 🙂
Can you use The same thing to clean your oven? Thanks!
It can definitely clean the oven once it’s boiling. The key to this stuff working is the steam effect! I always do the microwave, then use the hot, leftover solution to clean the stove top or get burnt things off the oven! 🙂
Thank you thank you thank you so much for this! Such amazing timing too, I so need to do this 😀
Green Fashionista
Thanks girl, I hope it helps!!! 🙂
This is great! I think I’ll do this tomorrow. I love how steam loosens up all sorts of stuck on stuff. I’ve done microwave cleaning with only water and it’s effective enough, but to boost it with vinegar’s properties and a lemony smell is a bonus. And my stove top does need to also be cleaned…so twice the cleaning. Thanks for the tip!
I love how steam does that too! Makes things so much easier! Thanks Laurie! Have a great evening!
I love how lemons are so versatile! these tips are great!
elle
Southern Elle Style
They are so versatile! I love them on everything 🙂
Someone just told me about this concoction over the weekend because regular dish soap wasn’t cleaning our turkey fryer. Glad to hear it works!
It works so great! Hot Vinegar is like a miracle cleaner 🙂
I’m going to give it a try! Thanks!
Awesome Beth!! I hope it helps 🙂
I just cleaned my microwave and it was so much more difficult that this! I know for next time now.
I hope it helps next time! Cleaning a microwave can be so hard, especially when things are stuck like glue! This works like a charm 🙂
This is such a great little trick! I love that it’s so easy too!
Thanks Lisa! It is super easy and works so good!
I’ve done this with just water, but the vinegar and lemon will be a great addition to make it smell better…thanks! 🙂
It really makes it work so great!! 🙂
Definitely trying this next time! It sounds so easy. I always try to find ways to clean my kitchen without chemical cleaners. Natural like this is the way to go!
It definitely is!
I’ve heard this tip but never tried it before. I should though because I hate cleaning my microwave and it’s getting to a point where I really need to!
I hate it too! It is always so hard when everything is stuck on…this makes it so easy!
I’m giving this a try this afternoon! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Michelle! I hope it worked great for you! It makes things so much easier 🙂
Great idea!! So much healthier and smells great! 🙂
Thanks Jamie!!! It definitely smells great and is so much better than store bought chemicals 🙂
Looks like you can get the whole kitchen clean with this one!
You really can! And it works so well too 🙂
I love the lemon solution in the microwave – the smell is gorgeous – Alexis thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday
It does smell soo good!
My microwave always seems to need a cleaning! Thank you for sharing this! I would love for you to share it at the Home Matters Link Party at http://www.bakingforblessings.com/2016/03/31/home-matters-link-party-80/
Oh I know…I feel like it gets dirty everyday! I hope it will help you 🙂 I definitely linked up 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks so much for linking up at Wonderful Wednesday! #OMHGWW
Thanks Kim!
This is great! I’m Spring cleaning now & can’t wait to try this!
Thank you for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Michelle!! I hope it helps you get some good cleaning in 🙂
Great tips! I love using vinegar to clean the microwave. Thanks for sharing this at Motivation Monday on Mom Home Guide!
Thanks Lauren! It is definitely the best stuff to use 🙂
Lemons make everything smell nice. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
It really does! So fresh and clean smelling 🙂
Any good cheap easy oven cleaner, no scratching and toxic fumes, please Thank you
The only oven cleaner I have is found in the ebook, but I don’t have one of the website. This one in the book is very mild and works well!