Your Microwave Hacks

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Your Microwave Hacks

So, the microwave. Such a blessing and a curse. The price we pay for such convenience is the utter hassle of having to clean it. Has your microwave been overrun by food splatters, curious odors, and a thick coat of grime?

First, let’s talk about what you need to have in order to clean your microwave:

(Hint: Most of it can be found in your pantry.)

Cleaning Eraser
Baking soda
Olive oil
Lemon
Vinegar
Paper towels
A gentle but effective dish soap

1 - Seek professional help. And if it’s a really strong smell (like burnt popcorn or sticky fish) that just won’t seem to go away, step up your smell game by using an odor eliminator product — sometimes they come in gel form - to trap and remove the strongest odors.

2 - Changing or cleaning your microwave’s filter can definitely help air out any lingering odors. Be sure to check the owner’s manual before messing with the filter, but most of them are removable and can be hand washed with regular dish soap and warm water. Be sure it’s totally dry before replacing.

3 - Sweet, sweet baking soda. Leave a bowl of baking soda inside the microwave to soak up and neutralize smells.

4 - Air it out. Try leaving the microwave door open overnight to let the smell dissipate.

5 - Vinegar + water. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to ½ cup of water and microwave it for two minutes. Leave the microwave door shut afterwards with the hot vinegar mixture inside for about fifteen minutes. Remove the vinegar and wipe out the inside of the microwave with a clean damp rag. The initial smell of the vinegar might seem overwhelming, but it will quickly neutralize and dissipate, taking the original unsavory smell with it.

Depending how often you use your microwave, they ought to be cleaned about once a week. This may seem like a lot of microwave maintenance, but if you keep on top of those little splatters and stains, you won’t have to resort to using an ice pick to chisel off the leftovers from last month’s leftovers. And let’s be real: You know when you’ve got to clean your microwave. Just look at it, you will know!

Cleaning the microwave is similar to cleaning the stove, in a way. It gets used so frequently that it’s just going to get dirty again, and sometimes right away. But don’t be discouraged! Now that you’ve committed all of these microwave cleaning tips to memory (and this helpful article) you’ve got the tools and knowledge to steam clean and baking soda scrub it all way.