by Heidi Peaster

Created on: May 04, 2010   Last Updated: May 05, 2010

The microwave is one appliance that we seem to constantly take for granted, mostly because by its very nature, we are usually on the run when we use it, and then close it up and forget it until when we go to use it again, we are again in a hurry.  So, a lot of the junk splattered within it gets cooked over and over until we can’t stand it anymore and have to do something about it.  By then, it’s as hard as a brick.

However, there are a few things you can do to get it clean again.

* If your microwave is just moderately messy, take out the turntable, set it in a sink full of hot water and hand dishwashing detergent.  Let it soak while you clean the rest of the microwave.

* Spray the inside of the microwave with a good, grease-cutting window cleaner.  Don’t forget the roof of the microwave as that is often the worst.  If you want to use a more environmentally friendly cleaner, white vinegar diluted in water in a spray bottle is a good choice.  Leave on a few minutes with door open.

* Go over the splatters with a plastic scratchy pad or the scratchy side of a scrubbing sponge, making sure to loosen everything up well.

* Wash out all the bits with a good clean sponge or damp cloth. 

* Wipe over entire inside of microwave with lint free cloth.

* Wash off your turntable, dry, and replace.

If your microwave has things you have forgotten what they were, that are now baked to charcoal and stuck all over it, get out your dishwasher detergent. 

* If you use the powdered dishwasher detergent, make a paste with a few drops of water to about a tablespoon of detergent.  This process, however, works best with the liquid or thick gel type of dishwasher detergent.

* If you have sensitive skin, use rubber gloves and dab a good-sized glop of your paste or gel onto each cooked on piece of crud in your microwave.  Rub it into and around the crud as best you can.

* Leave on for several minutes.

* Test to see if it is ready to come loose.  A lot of times, it will break off in pieces rather than soften up to manageable bits.  Take an old butter knife and gently try to pry the crud away.  If it doesn’t pry from the bottom, work on it from top down.

* When you have the main lump dispersed, go back over it with your scratchy pad, then the sponge, until cleaned out.

* Rinse thoroughly with damp cloth.

* Wipe thoroughly with dry, lint-free cloth.

And don’t let it get into that state again!

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