Written by Tenley Haraldson
Since over 90% of US homes (and most workplaces) have microwaves, you’ve probably encountered some nasty ones. Not only can these appliances become bacterial breeding grounds, they can also change the flavor of whatever food is being cooked in it.
Our natural microwave cleaning hacks make the process a cinch – no chemical cleaners necessary!
Break out Your Microwave Cleaner Products
While industrial-strength cleaning products are often effective to remove baked-on messes, the majority contain potentially harmful ingredients. As a purveyor of plant-based products, we believe that caustic cleaners have no place near food-safe surfaces – and that natural formulas work just as well (without the risks).
To zap microwave smells and stains, we recommend using:
- Natural Surface Cleaner - This is more than a microwave cleaner spray: It's a plant-based formula that's perfect for all non-porous surfaces.
- Natural Dish Soap - Concentrated to “do more with less”, this 99.41% natural soap excels at loosening food stains.
- Microfiber towel - Reusable cloths with the perfect thickness for any task (or mess).
- Scrub Brush - Great for seriously caked-on food.
- Optional: Lemon, white vinegar, baking soda
How to Easily Clean Your Microwave
If you’re dealing with a monster mess (or even a mini mess), the following microwave cleaning hacks should be able to help:
#1: Take Everything Out & Wash
Place the glass turntable and its plastic holder in a sink of warm water and squirt of dish soap. Soak for a few minutes before breaking out a dish scrubbing brush. Once cleaned, place in a dish rack to dry.
#2: Sweep It Clean
Using a damp microfiber towel, remove loose crumbs and larger food pieces from the bottom, walls, and top of the microwave. While the door is open, be sure to get in the crevice where the seal meets the door.
# 3: Spray Things Down
Two sprays of Puracy Natural Surface Cleaner should be enough to take on most microwave messes. For baked-on food stains, let the formula sit for at least 30 seconds.
#4: Wipe & Swipe
Using a clean, folded microfiber cloth, apply medium pressure in fast, overlapping passes (think a “Z” pattern). The wetness pattern will evaporate shortly after you pass over, which confirms you are cleaning correctly.
Pro Tip: For extra "oomph", use a paper towel and the pressure of your fingernail to loosen food stains.
#5: Wipe Down the Exterior
Spray the exterior of the microwave with your microwave cleaner spray, then wipe down in the same way. Use a light touch around the buttons.
#6: Frequent Care Is Easy Care
Every time you use the microwave, make sure that your food and drink is properly covered. If you spot some spatters, wipe things down before heating anything else up.
How to Clean a Microwave with Lemon
Obviously, lemons can make every kitchen smell better. Their cleaning power lies in citric acid, making it one of our favorite everyday cleaning products in our pantry.
Step #1: Take Everything Out & Wash It
Refer to the instructions from the previous section.
Step #2: Break out the Citrus
Cut a fresh lemon into 6-8 wedges. Place in a microwave-safe bowl with water and microwave on high until it boils (approximately 2-4 minutes). Turn off your microwave but keep the door closed for at least 10 minutes to let the steam cut through stains.
Step #3: Wipe Everything Down
Remove the bowl with oven mitts, then use a clean, folded microfiber cloth to wipe down the interior. If you still spot grease and stains, you can repeat the process with the same bowl of lemons. Or speed up the process with our multi-surface cleaner!
The Wet-Rag Microwave Cleaning Hack
Don't have lemons at your house? Not to worry: Dip a clean microfiber towel or rag in water then thoroughly wring it out. Place it directly on the turntable, microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, then let it sit for 2 more minutes so the steam can break down stains. Use caution while handling this hot cloth to wipe down the interior (we recommend silicone oven mitts).
How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar
Pour equal parts white vinegar and water into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 5-7 minutes (or until it starts boiling), then let it sit for another 2-3 minutes with the door closed. Safely remove the bowl, then wipe the interior down with a clean, folded microfiber cloth.
You can also dip a scrub brush into the solution and pay closer attention to extra-stubborn stains.
No matter which process you choose, it should end with wiping down the exterior using our multi-surface cleaner.
How to Get Rid of Microwave Smells
Our microwave cleaning hacks above usually eliminate smells by removing the stuck-on food that’s creating them. But for particularly strong odors (we're looking at you, burned popcorn), try one of these microwave cleaning hacks:
- For milder odors, leave the door open for a few hours.
- Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to the lemon/water method.
- Use orange slices instead of lemons (or both).
- Soak a sponge in white vinegar. Sprinkle the sponge with baking soda. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then thoroughly wipe down the inside with it.
- Leave an open box of baking soda or a bowl of used coffee grounds inside the closed microwave for at least 8 hours.
Puracy: The Best Way to Clean a Microwave
From electronics to sinks to high chairs to microwaves, our biochemists formulated Puracy Natural Surface Cleaner to be safely used on thousands of surfaces, This 99.51% natural cleaning product is your secret weapon for erasing all traces of smears, smudges, muck, grime, goo, and gunk!
