Over time, microwave walls can get extremely dirty. Food splatters and grease buildup turn your once sparkling clean microwave into a filthy mess. But don’t worry – there’s a little-known, super effective trick to get those walls looking like new again.
Why Microwave Walls Get So Dirty
Microwave walls seem to attract dirt and grease like magnets. Here’s why they get so filthy:
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Cooking splatters: When you microwave foods, especially things like soups, pasta sauces, or anything with a liquid component, they have a tendency to bubble up and splatter on the walls. These splatters turn into baked-on stains over time.
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Steam and condensation: The steam produced while cooking condenses on the cooler walls and ceiling, allowing food particles and grease to stick.
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Lack of cleaning: Most people don’t clean the inside of their microwaves very often. This allows grease and food to build up over weeks or months.
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Heat and circulation: The heat and airflow inside a working microwave spreads spills around and “bakes” them onto surfaces.
Why Microwave Walls Are So Hard to Clean
Microwave walls get downright disgusting looking sometimes. But they can be extremely difficult to scrub clean by hand. Here’s why:
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They’re up high and hard to reach into.
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Baked-on food and grease resist scrubbing.
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The walls and ceiling have crevices grease can get trapped in.
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Sponges and rags can’t withstand the heat inside.
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Chemical oven cleaners are toxic and take a lot of scrubbing.
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The walls are too delicate for heavy-duty abrasives.
So what’s the secret to getting them clean? Read on!
The Little-Known, Super Effective Cleaning Trick
Here is an incredibly easy microwave cleaning trick that seriously works like magic:
All you need is a bowl of water and a lemon!
Here is how simple and effective this cleaning hack is:
Step 1: Add Water and Lemon
- Take a microwave-safe bowl and fill it halfway with water.
- Slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from both halves into the water.
- Place the empty lemon halves into the bowl too.
Step 2: Microwave
- Put the lemon water-filled bowl into the microwave.
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes, allowing the water to boil and the lemon steam to fill and coat the inside.
Step 3: Wipe Away Grime
- Carefully remove the hot bowl.
- Take a paper towel or microfiber cloth and simply wipe down the walls and ceiling. You’ll see the grease and grime wipe away with ease!
The boiling lemon-water releases powerful cleaning essential oils and the steam helps loosen baked-on gunk. The citric acid in the lemon juice cuts through and dissolves grease. Plus, your microwave will smell fresh!
Why the Lemon Water Microwave Cleaner Works So Well
Here’s the science behind why this lemon-steaming trick is so effective:
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The boiling water creates steam that permeates and softens food and grease.
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Lemon juice contains citric acid, a degreaser that dissolves and cuts through grease.
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Essential lemon oils released by the boiling water are cleansing agents that break up grime.
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The steam condenses onto the walls, allowing the grime to be wiped away.
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It’s completely non-toxic and safe. No chemicals or scrubbing needed!
Additional Tips
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Use fresh lemons for maximum cleaning power.
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Microwave a bowl of water with lemon slices for 5-7 minutes for heavier grime.
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Let the condensation soak for a few minutes before wiping if needed.
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Scrape off any chunks of stuck on food carefully first.
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This works great for cleaning microwave glass turntables too!
In no time at all you can have a sparkling clean microwave interior! No more dreading seeing those splattered walls while you reheat food. Just be sure to give this lemon steam trick a try next time your microwave needs freshening up.
