In today's day and age it's hard to
imagine how we ever functioned without the convenience of
a microwave oven. They are a staple in millions of kiwi homes, and rightly so,
due to their ability to quickly and easily cook, reheat and defrost food.
But when was the last time you cleaned your microwave?
We all know someone whose microwave looks
like it's seen better days. Sometimes odours, stains, or remnants of spilled
food can become a cause for concern, but it doesn’t mean you need a new one– it
might just need a little makeover. Failure to keep your microwave clean can
result in nasty odours when using the microwave and over time, built up food splashes may
overheat and could cause damage to the interior compartment.
Cleaning your microwave takes no more than
five minutes and is much easier than cleaning a conventional oven. Here's our
handy guide to give your microwave a deep clean and restore it to its former
glory.
1. Using lemon to clean your microwave
Lemon is a wonderful natural disinfectant.
If you cut one lemon in half and place cut side down on a microwave safe plate,
add a few tablespoons of water and microwave on high until steam is produced,
this will loosen any stubborn spillages or stains inside your appliance. Remove
the plate and lemon after letting it sit inside the microwave for a further 5
minutes.
2. Making sure it's safe to clean your microwave
Make sure to unplug your
microwave before cleaning – you want to ensure that your unit is switched off from the power
supply before you start cleaning it.
3. How to wipe down the inside of your microwave
Use a damp cloth or non-abrasive sponge to
gently wipe down the inside walls of the microwave oven. If your microwave has
a turntable, you can remove this to wipe down the area underneath, removing any
hard to see food or spills.
4. How to clean your microwave turntable
Use warm water and non-caustic soap* to
clean the turntable – You can remove the turntable from the microwave and
clean it by hand similar to how you clean a plate after cooking, keeping the
turntable clean keeps your oven free of built-up spills that produce odour over time. Remember to fully dry
your turntable before placing it back into the oven.
*If you use a cleaner, avoid spraying it directly onto any part of the interior oven as this may lead to damage. Instead, spray it onto a clean, damp cloth and wipe the inside of the oven until it's clean.
5. How to keep the exterior of your microwave clean
Wipe the exterior of the microwave and
door with a damp cloth or sponge. If using a commercial cleaning product,
ensure it's non-caustic. If using a sponge, ensure it's not abrasive to avoid
damage or scratches to 6. the paint.
6.How to avoid using too much water when you clean your microwave
Avoid saturating your cloth
or sponge in water. Remember that the microwave is an electric device and using
too much water may lead to damage over time.
Remember,
if there is any internal damage in your microwave, you might require a service
or to replace your microwave. Common signs of
wear and tear might include rust or scratches on the paint – so be sure to keep
an eye on your microwave’s condition next time you clean it. If it’s time to
upgrade your microwave, browse our range here:
