You will be pleasantly surprised that you only need several simple to find household items to clean your microwave oven and more importantly without harsh chemicals.

Microwave ovens are notorious for exploding and splattering food everywhere. For example, if you have ever cooked or reheated an item such as eggs, you will know the foul smell that it can produce.

Unsightly food remnants in your microwave can also be unhygienic and prolong the cooking process because they absorb some of the microwave's power. Unfortunately, it is even possible that they will shorten the lifespan of your oven. The good news is that cooking with readily available natural ingredients isn't that hard.

In this article, we will be looking at the following:

• When should you clean your microwave oven?
• What do you need to clean a microwave oven?
• How to clean your microwave quickly
• How to keep the turntable clean?
• How to clean the microwave exterior?
• How to clean the door frame, dials, and buttons?
• How to clean the microwave's sides, top, and back?
• How to remove microwave smells?

When should you clean your microwave oven?

If your household uses the microwave oven frequently, you might want to wipe it every few days to prevent food residue from building up. We recommend that you wipe the microwave after each use. However, the second best thing you can do is ensure, at the very least, that any spills are quickly wiped clean with a damp cloth as soon as possible.

To prevent the sides from getting sticky and dirty, wipe the inside with a microfibre cloth after cooking steamy foods such as rice and vegetables and don't forget to reach into the corners.

What do you need to clean a microwave oven?

To make your microwave sparkle, you do not need harsh, specialist chemical cleaners. In general, you'll need the following:

• Warm water
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Lemon slices or white vinegar
• A soft sponge or microfibre cloth

How to clean your microwave quickly?

It doesn't matter whether you have a built-in microwave, convection microwave, or a benchtop microwave, as each microwave type can be cleaned by letting steam and mild acidic ingredients work together.

Follow these steps to get rid of caked-on food and odours.

1. Add three tablespoons of vinegar in a small water bowl
2. Add lemon (sliced or halved) into the same small water bowl
3. Microwave the bowl for three minutes on high or until the water boils
4. Let the steam loosen the residue by leaving the door closed for five minutes
5. Remove the bowl, open the door, and wipe it clean

The turntable in the microwave can also be removed, rinsed off, and wiped down with a paper towel to bring the shine to your microwave.

How to keep the turntable clean?

Occasionally soup and other sticky liquids can make their way onto the turntable, which can be easily removed and cleaned in your kitchen sink or dishwasher. Remove any residue under the turntable's spindle before the turn table is put back into the microwave.

How to clean the microwave exterior?

Using just warm, damp cloths and soapy water is all you need to clean the microwave exterior. Any specific precautions should be found in your microwave's instruction manual. Abrasive cleaners and scouring products should never be used inside or outside the microwave, as they can cause permanent damage.

How to clean the door frame, dials, and buttons?

You must check that microwave doors seal correctly and that gunk doesn't accumulate around buttons or seals. If hard foods have made their way into cracks or crevices, use a soft toothbrush, cotton bud, or toothpick to pry them out gently, but avoid rubbing or scratching as this may damage the surface. Ensure you unplug the microwave before starting, and don't use anything metal.

How to clean the microwave's sides, top, and back?

Microwave vents will become less efficient over time as dust accumulates. Unless the microwave sits on your benchtop, you may not notice this. Grease and grime may also gather on the top of your microwave over time. It may be necessary to unplug it and give it a good wipe-over once in a while with a damp cloth.

How to remove microwave smells?

While lemon and vinegar can obliterate smells from your microwave, the scent can be pretty overpowering. It is also food-safe to use vanilla extract to leave your microwave smelling fresh. Fill a spray bottle with water and mix one or two teaspoons of the mixture. Then, spray it over the interior with a cloth and dry it with a paper towel after a few minutes.

Alternately, heat a cup of water with a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the microwave for a few minutes. When you are doing this, don't leave the microwave unattended.