How to Clean Your Microwave with Just Steam

Get your microwave's interior spotless with steam.

When your microwave looks like there was an explosion inside of it, you can tackle it without any caustic cleaners. The relatively small interior, and usually awkward positioning of the microwave makes it difficult to scrub by hand. By using the power of steam, you can put the microwave to work, making it, essentially, self cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Large measuring cup
• 2 cups of water
• Clean washcloth
• Potholders

Instructions

1. Find a large, sturdy measuring cup or bowl. Be sure that the bowl you are going to use is microwave-safe. Otherwise it can melt and you'll have a bigger mess to clean up then just food splatters.

2. Fill the bowl up with approximately 2 cups of water. Do not add any cleaners to the water.

3. Place the bowl inside of the microwave for 10 minutes, allowing the steam to penetrate the food that has attached itself to your microwave.

4. Leave the bowl in the microwave, keeping the microwave door closed, and let the steam work on the dried food residue for about half an hour.

5. Open the microwave door after 30 minutes have passed. Remove the bowl with potholders -- it may still be hot.

6. Wipe the microwave clean with a washcloth, while the food residue is moist and softened by the steam.

7. Repeat the steaming process if the food hardens back up before you have finished cleaning it.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to 1/2 cups of water for a fresh scent in the microwave.

• Be very careful taking the water out of the microwave.

• Do not add any kind of cleaner to the water.

References

• University of California Extension: Microwave Ovens and Food Safety