Email
Print
FeedFrugal Living: How to Clean the Microwave with No Chemicals
| Tweet |
For those of you who don't know, I grew up with severe asthma and allergies. In fact, I nearly died when I was 16 years old after a major allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock). For those reasons, it has always been very hard for me to clean with traditional cleaners. Even though I no longer deal with asthma and my allergies are better than they used to be (Praise God!), I still do not like to use harsh chemicals in my house.
After making my own cleaners for quite some time, I still struggled with removing hard stains like food stuck in the microwave and even in the oven. Then...I came across one of the best tips in the entire world, in my opinion, and I do it nearly every week.
If you want to remove hard stains in the microwave (or any stains for that matter) simply wet a washcloth with water and place it into the microwave. You can heat that up for 15 - 20 seconds. It will be HOT...that's your disclaimer...it's HOT so don't reach in and grab it with your whole hand until it has cooled for a few seconds.
Just by heating it, you've loosened the food in the microwave. Now (when it is safe), grab the washcloth and clean the microwave. As long as the washcloth is still warm, you should be able to easily wipe away the food. The key is the warm washcloth, if you have gloves that you can use then that is a good idea too.
I have also soaked the washcloth in white vinegar and heated that up as well. Either works fine but if you want to stick with the basics, just use water. I cannot tell you how many uses there are for this. I LOVE IT. LOVE IT...I say.
Just another disclaimer....This involves HEAT...don't touch something that is hot. If you decide to do so, I am not liable so no e-mails please. Play it safe folks.
{Related Posts}
**Your forum login will not work for commenting. Please use the 'Anonymous Form' to post a comment on each post or create a new login for comments only. **
I think what I heard you say is don't touch it while it's hot.....is that right? :0 P
Love your washcloth idea! Another way along these lines is to fill a coffee mug with water and heat to boiling -- about two minutes in my microwave. Then let sit without opening door for about 5 minutes -- this helps to loosen the hardened on food. Mug handle could be very hot so be careful when removing. Then take the tray out to the sink and wash. (I usually pour the hot water over the tray so as not to waste the water.) Then wipe clean the inside of the microwave with a dishcloth or sponge. Sometimes I will add a cut up lemon to the mug full of water which adds a subtle lemony scent. Hope that helps!
I always put a bowl (microwave safe bowl) in the microwave and heat up the water (maybe 5 minutes) then let the bowl set in the microwave for a few minutes, the steam will loosen the hardened stuff inside, I have done this lots of times.
I pour water on the microwave tray and allow it to heat… no washcloth needed. The bowl also works! :)
I take a bowl of water and put a sliced Lemon in there and heat it up for a few minutes. It's easy to clean and smells fresh.. ;))
Another thing that works really good , is putting Lemon Juice in a bowl and putting it the microwave for about a minute on high,let it sit in the microwave about a minute after the microwave goes off. Then remove bowl and wipe with a warm wet cloth.
Another thing that works really good , is putting Lemon Juice in a bowl and putting it the microwave for about a minute on high,let it sit in the microwave about a minute after the microwave goes off. Then remove bowl and wipe with a warm wet cloth.
I scrub my microwave with a cut lemon with baking soda on top and then wipe down with a wet warm dishcloth. I do the same thing to my fridge. Leaves them both fresh and clean!!
I love these great ideas!
Jessica
Cut a lemon in half and stick it in the micro for about a minutes then wipe it out, same idea but leaves a nice smell