How to Steam-Clean a Microwave With Natural Products

You forgot to cover the spaghetti before reheating it, and now your microwave looks like a tomato bomb went off inside. Before you start scrubbing with a tough household cleaner, try steam-cleaning your microwave with natural products that are already in your cupboard or refrigerator. The baked-on gunk will be gone within minutes, and you can rest assured that you're one step closer to becoming ecologically friendly. You'll find that once you "go green," you'll never go back to your old, harsh cleaners again.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• White vinegar
• Lemon juice

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water into a medium-sized microwavable bowl, and place the bowl in the middle of your microwave. If your microwave has a turntable, leave it in, and it will be cleaned, too.

2. Heat on the highest setting for 2 minutes, and don't open the door when the timer goes off.

3. Wait 30 minutes, then remove the bowl, being careful not to burn yourself with the boiling vinegar mixture. Take the turntable out and rinse it off in the sink.

4. Wipe down the inside of your microwave, using a sponge dipped in the vinegar water. (If the solution is too hot, add a bit of cold water). Rinse the sponge with water often, as the baked-on crud will wipe off easily.

5. Rinse your sponge one final time, then pour the lemon juice onto the surface of the sponge and go over the interior of the microwave once more. This will deodorize the surfaces, leaving them clean and fresh.

6. Replace the turntable, being careful to align it properly with the guides it rests on. Your microwave is now ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have enough vinegar solution left over, you can use it to clean the outside of your microwave. Pour the leftover solution down your garbage disposal to help keep it clean.