Cleaning Out the Microwave

It seems that the microwave is a magnet for spills. Even when you are careful to cover food to prevent spills and splatters, sometimes even this effort fails and you end up with nasty food spots and stains in your microwave. Although nobody enjoys cleaning the microwave, it is a very easy task if you try the proper methods. You don't even need to use chemical cleaners to get the interior of your microwave spotless, and it doesn't take very long to do. Try these steps to get your microwave clean in no time.

1. Wipe away excess food particles. Using a cloth or paper towel, wipe away loose crumbs and particles left from food out of the microwave. You may need to get under the turntable (if your microwave has one) to get at everything.
2. Loosen stubborn spills with water. This is the step that will make the rest of the cleaning process amazingly easy. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water (and a little lemon juice if you want a fresh scent) and cook it in your microwave for several minutes. Once done, let it sit inside your microwave for a few minutes more. Open the microwave and remove the bowl. At this point, the moisture from the water will have loosened the food spots on the surface of the microwave, and they will now be much easier to remove.
3. Wipe off the interior. Using a damp cloth or paper towel, wipe away any spots you see in the microwave. The spots should be easy to remove, but if you encounter a particularly stubborn area, lay a wet cloth against it and wait a few minutes. You shouldn't have much trouble scrubbing the spot away at this point. If your microwave has a turntable, take it out and wash it in the sink with dish soap.
4. Dry the interior. Take a dry cloth and wipe out any moisture left inside of the microwave. Dry off the turntable and place it back in the microwave.
5. Clean the exterior of the microwave. If there are spills or spots on the outside of your microwave, just use a cloth and some all-purpose cleaner to wipe it off.

This method is great because it gets the inside of your microwave spotless without using harsh chemicals. You probably don't want to smell the cleaners or taste them in your food, so going a more natural way is best.