Cleaning a microwave is a tough chore to accomplish. Crusty gunk and bits of burnt milk can give you a tough time! To combat this daily life problem, we have come up with a natural, practical and useful life hack that can make your microwave sparkly clean. The super ingredient involved in this hack is Lemon!  If used methodically, lemon can cut out grime efficiently in a few steps. Lemon is an effective cleanser that plays an active role in most kitchen chores. This natural ingredient eliminates the need for expensive standardized kitchen cleaners.

Lemon is extremely useful in removing stains left by over baking cakes or burnt cheese, and it also eliminates the unusual odor. This method does not require a lot of time nor does it need the assistance of any other detergent. Besides, it just takes maximum ten mins to complete this procedure.

The science behind it is rather simple. You will have to drop lemon juice in water and place it in the microwave. As the liquid boils, it loosens dirt, grime, and splashes of food. You will only have to wipe the microwave clean after that. However, there are several methods which can be used to clean your microwave with lemon. Read on to know which one suits you the best!

Method 1: Lemon+Water

Things you need:

  • Sponge / Scrub
  • A lemon
  • Microwave bowl
  • A soft cotton cloth

Steps to follow:

The following are a few steps that you need to follow to carry out the process.

  1. The first method involves dissolving lemon in a half-filled microwave bowl with water. You have to squeeze it to ensure that equal amount of lemon juice saturates the water.
  2. After dissolving, you need to heat the lemon- water solution for maximum 3 to 5 minutes in the microwave using the bowl.
  3. Before you open the microwave’s door, make sure the right amount of steam is generated in the microwave.
  4. After waiting for 2 or 3 minutes, you can now open the door. It will help loosen the stuck food beverages and smell. Also, it will leave it smelling fresh.
  5. Subsequently, you will now need to wipe out the loosened food particles with the help of the cotton cloth. Gently wipe off the waste and streaks.
  6. After cleaning it all off, take out the tray and add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to remove any left out baked particles. All the spillage needs to be wiped off to make your microwave look as good as new!
  7. At last, don’t forget to clean off the exteriors that are the keypad and upper surface followed by sideways and the lower surface.

Method 2: Lemon+Vinegar

Things you need:

  •    Lemon
  •    Vinegar
  •    A piece of cloth
  •    Microwave bowl

How to carry out the process:

  1. Fill the microwave bowl up to half the brim with water.
  2. Now, squeeze a half lemon in it.
  3. Add 4 or 5 tablespoons of vinegar in the solution.
  4. Mix the solution well and keep it aside with a cover of the bowel for 6 or 7 minutes.
  5. Put the mixture in the microwave and heat it till the steam generates.
  6. Wait till the steam moistens the wall of microwave and loosens the junk that is dried up.
  7. Now, open the microwave and take out the bowl ensuring safety.
  8. Using the cotton cloth wipe off all the gunk.
  9. Now, clean the outside area of the microwave and finally take out the tray.
  10. Drop some of the solutions on the microwave tray and wipe it off using the other side of the cloth.

Your microwave will now be sparkling clean!

Method 3: Lemon + Salt

Things you need:

  •    A tablespoon of salt
  •    Lemon juice
  •    A rough piece of cloth / Kitchen towel
  •    Microwave bowl

What to do? 

  1. Take 2 or 3 tablespoons of salt and squeeze a lemon in it.
  2. You are supposed to mix the amount of lemon juice and salt in a ratio that results in the formation of a thick paste.
  3. Add a little amount of water to dissolve the salt to make the solution more spreadable.
  4. Now apply the paste on the dirty areas where the spillovers are stuck.
  5. Let the paste work on the spots. This will not take more than 5 minutes.
  6. Gently brush off the paste and wipe it all off with the help of a rough piece of cloth. Instead of the cloth, you can also use kitchen towels. Both work well.
  7. Finally, spritz kitchen cleaning sprays on the tray, the glass part, and the door. Simply wipe with the help of a cloth.( this step is optional)

All three methods work well! You can choose a plan which suits you the best!