How to Steam Clean a Microwave with Wet Paper Towels

Steam helps get your microwave sparkling clean.

If you aren't good about wiping up spills and splatters in your microwave right away, the food can get cooked onto the interior surfaces. A little water and heat can loosen the cooked-on debris, making it easier to wipe away. Use this method to clean your microwave weekly, or to get rid of the most stubborn of food splatters.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Dish soap
• Non-abrasive scrubbing pad

Instructions

1. Run water over three to four white paper towels, then bunch them together. Add a drop of dish soap to the top of the wet clump of towels.

2. Place the towels in the microwave. Heat them on high power for 1 minute.

3. Let the heated towels sit in the microwave for five minutes. The waiting time allows the steam to break down all those crusty food particles.

4. Wipe down the inside of the microwave with steam-heated towels, wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands. Use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad to get rid of any stubborn residue. Wipe a dry paper towel over the interior to remove the remaining moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• After heating the towels, set a timer for five minutes or you may just forget about the wet towels in the microwave.

• The clump of paper towels can be very hot even after sitting for 5 minutes.

References

• GE Appliances: Microwave -- Cleaning Recommendations