Is your microwave a mess? Splatters and spills are common when you try to heat up tricky foods like tomato sauce. Melting butter causes pops and splatters that coat the inside of your microwave. It feels like everything you heat up inevitably adds to the mess found inside your appliance. It’s time that you learned you can clean your microwave with apple cider vinegar, and it works great!

In the past, you might have spent hours scraping dried-on food from the inside of your microwave. You’ve tried hot water, expensive cleaners, and good old-fashioned elbow grease. While you may have seen some results from these tried and true methods, you are wasting your valuable time. By learning how to clean your microwave naturally with apple cider vinegar, you can save time and effort.

The Materials Needs To Clean Your Microwave

Cleaning your microwave should be simple and effective. Do you really want to put harsh chemicals in the same place where you heat up your dinner? Many people feel like they need to use bleaches, degreasers, and other heavy-duty commercial cleaners to make their microwaves sparkle. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are the only two items that you really need to clean up your microwave.

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you want to learn how to clean your microwave with apple cider vinegar, there is one obvious ingredient you will need to purchase – apple cider vinegar. You can easily find this common ingredient in the baking aisle of your local supermarket, order it from your living room, or dig it out of your pantry.

Woeber's Pure Apple Cider Vinegar, 5% Acidity

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile ingredient that is often used in homemade cleaners. All types of vinegar are naturally acidic because of their chemical makeup. Depending on the type of vinegar, some varieties have a very high acetic acid content. This makes them perfect for cleaning because they can remove buildup, clean away dirt, and kill certain types of bacteria.

Both apple cider vinegar and distilled white vinegar have similar properties. Apple cider vinegar is ideal for cleaning your microwave, but you could use distilled white vinegar in a pinch.

When it comes to purchasing your own supply of apple cider vinegar, it is more cost-effective to buy in bulk. This is also beneficial for you because you will have more of this potent cleaner on hand when you need it in the future. You can purchase a full gallon of apple cider vinegar (on Amazon). The best part is that this variety is also organic.

If you prefer to purchase your apple cider vinegar in smaller quantities, this organic raw apple cider is an excellent option. It contains five percent acidity and is great for consumption as well as cleaning. This is a great way to test the waters with apple cider vinegar as a cleaning agent.

Angry Mama Steam Cleaner

Angry Mama Microwave Oven Steam Cleaner

In order to clean your microwave with apple cider vinegar using this easy method, you are going to need to create steam. You could use a simple bowl filled with the cleaning solution. However, the handy Angry Mama steam cleaner gets the job done efficiently.

This tiny figurine in the shape of an angry woman is designed to help you clean the microwave. She is constructed from heat-resistant materials that allow her to stay in the microwave for up to seven minutes with no damage. When you’re finished with her, you can simply pop her in the dishwasher for cleaning.

In order to use the tool, all you have to do is pop off her head and hair. The fill lines are clearly marked on the inside of the doll. Then, you simply have to replace her head and place her back in the microwave. Nothing could be easier than using this technique to steam clean your microwave.

One of the best parts of using the Angry Mama is that you won’t burn your hands removing her from the microwave. If you were using a glass bowl, it would be too hot to remove from the microwave using your bare hands. This versatile doll can easily be removed by wrapping it in a hand towel to protect your skin.

How to Clean Your Microwave with Apple Cider Vinegar

A bottle of apple cider vinegar for cleaning

Now that you have all of your materials ready, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Cleaning your microwave with apple cider vinegar is far easier than most people imagine. It takes less than ten minutes to clean your microwave so that it looks like new again. The end results are impressive, but they are due to one key component.

When you learn how to clean your microwave with apple cider vinegar, you will find that steam is the most important part. As you heat the vinegar, it will begin to condense and turn into tiny droplets that cover the inside of your microwave. The heat, combined with the liquid condensation and the acidic nature of vinegar, helps to loosen old food particles and splatters.

This means that once the steam has adequately filled your microwave for a few minutes, everything else should be smooth sailing. You won’t need to use much force at all to scrub away those spots in your microwave.

How to Clean Your Microwave with Apple Cider Vinegar and the Angry Mama

The first method to learn how to clean a microwave with apple cider vinegar uses your handy Angry Mama tool. This is the simplest way to clean your microwave of old debris, but you will also learn how to clean without it in the next section.

  1. Prepare the Angry Mama. The first thing you need to do is get your little doll ready for cleaning. Remove her hair and head so that you can prepare to fill her up.
  2. Add the cleaning solution. Using the fill lines on the inside of her body, add the apple cider vinegar and water. If you want to lessen the somewhat strong odor of vinegar, you can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or some essential oils.
  3. Put her in the microwave. It’s time to place your Angry Mama in the center of the microwave for seven minutes. Take this time to start preparing dinner or to wipe down your countertops. Keep an eye on the microwave as your figurine releases steam through her head.
  4. Remove and clean. Take the Angry Mama out of the microwave and start wiping it down with a clean paper towel or a sponge. This should require very little effort on your part because the steam has already loosened those food particles.

How to Clean a Microwave with Apple Cider Vinegar and a Bowl

The Angry Mama can make cleaning your microwave with apple cider vinegar a bit easier, but it is still possible to do it without one. If this is the case for you, all you need is a microwave-safe dish, some apple cider vinegar, and water. Follow these steps to get a microwave that looks like a brand-new appliance.

  1. Prepare your bowl full of cleaner. You should mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water into your microwave-safe dish. If you are worried about the odor of the vinegar, this is the perfect time to squeeze in some lemon juice or add a few drops of essential oils.
  2. Heat the mixture. For four minutes, you should let this bowl of cleaner work its magic and begin producing steam in your microwave.
  3. Remove the bowl. Carefully remove the bowl. Remember that it will likely be too hot to handle directly with your bare hands after four minutes in the microwave. Use a towel or some other protective covering to remove the dish.
  4. Wipe down the inside of the microwave. Using a clean and damp cloth, you should be able to easily wipe all of the residue away from the inside of the appliance.

How to Get Rid of Stubborn Microwave Stains

A dirty microwave

If you have let your microwave get to the point of no return, it might take more than a simple steam cleaning to loosen up those old food particles. Apple cider vinegar is still the product of choice, but you will need to take a slightly different approach. In order to get rid of these stubborn stains, you will need:

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • One lemon, cut in half

First, you will need to steam clean your microwave to loosen up food particles and get rid of as many stains as possible. This will make the scrubbing that comes next a bit easier. Most of your debris will simply be wiped away with a damp rag.

Once you can see just which spots remain inside your microwave, it’s time to get to work. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with three tablespoons of baking soda. This should create a paste with the consistency of toothpaste. You may need to adjust the ingredients slightly in order to achieve this consistency.

Apply some of this new paste to a clean rag and spread it over top of the stains. Scrub until the food particles come free of the microwave walls. If this does not work, you can scrub the baking soda into the mess using one-half of the lemon. The combined acidity of the lemon juice and vinegar, along with the gritty texture of the baking soda, should eliminate stubborn stains for good.

Eliminating Lingering Odors

After you have cleaned your microwave, you might still discover that there are some lingering odors. Burnt popcorn is a common culprit for leaving behind a stench that permeates your entire kitchen each time you use the microwave. Fortunately, there is a very simple fix for those of you who need to get rid of the noxious odors.

Clean the microwave with apple cider vinegar using your preferred method. The vinegar should loosen and allow you to remove many of the things that are causing the foul odor to begin with. After you microwave the vinegar, allow it to sit in the microwave with the door shut for another four to five minutes. This really allows it to loosen the food pieces and their smell. Wipe down the interior of the microwave when finished.

If the smell persists, it’s time to add a little citrus.

Slice a lemon and place it in a bowl filled halfway with water. Heat the bowl for another three to four minutes until it produces plenty of steam. Allow the bowl to sit in the microwave for an additional three minutes with the door closed. When you attempt to remove the bowl, take caution that you do not burn your hands. Also, remember that the steam from the microwave can also burn.

Wipe down the microwave just like you did after the apple cider vinegar. Your microwave should now smell exactly like the fresh and clean scent of citrus. However, you might need to repeat this step several times for extremely stubborn odors that have been around for a while.

The Easy Ways to Clean a Microwave with Apple Cider Vinegar

You don’t have to be embarrassed or disgusted by the state of affairs inside your microwave anymore. When guests come over, you can proudly show off a stunning appliance that is ready to heat food without the smell of leftover food particles. It takes less than ten minutes of your time to learn how to clean a microwave with apple cider vinegar, but it can make a lasting impression on the cleanliness of your home.

Whether you have an Angry Mama, a microwave-safe dish, or some stubborn stains that need to be eliminated, this technique can help your microwave look as good as new. You can extend the lifespan of your appliance and protect your investment with some of these handy tips. Using only natural ingredients, your microwave will shine like new. What are you waiting for? Don’t be hesitant to try these easy ways to clean a microwave today!

FAQ

How do you clean a microwave with vinegar and water?

In order to clean your microwave with vinegar and water, you must first create steam. Use the Angry Mama Steam Cleaner or a bowl filled with equal parts of water and vinegar. Heat the mixture in the microwave for four minutes. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of the microwave.

Can you use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar to clean?

Apple cider vinegar and distilled white vinegar are both excellent options for cleaning your microwave.

What kind of vinegar do you use to clean a microwave?

Apple cider vinegar is the ideal option for cleaning your microwave, but you can also use distilled white vinegar instead.

Last update on 2024-03-23 at 22:53 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API