You can easily turn your clean microwave into a smelly mess if you ignore some basic maintenance guidelines such as regular cleaning. Fortunately, there are several products that you can employ to clean your microwave, including dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, and all-purpose cleaner.
It’s common to hear about users who are cautious about using their microwave directly after cleaning it. This is totally understandable, as it includes heat, chemicals, moisture, and electricity.
You can use a microwave after cleaning it if the microwave was cleaned with a natural or non-toxic and food-safe cleaner. Natural cleaners include vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. If the microwave was cleaned using strong chemicals, which isn’t recommended, make sure to thoroughly wipe the residue out of the microwave and check the cleaner’s label for warnings before running it.
If you have your doubts about cleaning your microwave, and if you’re safe to use it now that you’ve put chemicals in it – continue reading. In this article, we consider critical information related to cleaning a microwave.
We’ve used Miracle Wipes on our microwave for the last couple of years. First, we place a bowl of water and vinegar in the microwave and run it. When the steam has settled, we clean the residue with miracle wipes. Our microwave has never been as fresh as it is now.
Is It Safe To Use a Microwave Directly After Cleaning It?
Absolutely! It’s very safe to use your microwave directly after cleaning it if the cleaners used were non-toxic and food-safe, meaning they can cause you no harm. If your microwave was cleaned using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or any other natural solution, you’ll be totally fine.
If you used strong caustic chemicals or bleach to clean your microwave, I would be hesitant to use it right away.
Regardless of what you’ve used, you should give the inside of your microwave a thorough scrub to ensure that all chemicals, food debris, and dirt are removed. If possible, remove the glass turntable and scrub it well before returning it.
To clean your microwave safely, ensure you follow the manual guidelines on safe cleaning procedures. You need to avoid abrasive and harsh chemicals while cleaning your microwave.
How Do You Get Rid of Chemical Residue In a Microwave?
After cleaning your microwave, there is a high chance that some chemical residue will still be inside the microwave. The best way to remove the chemical residue is to wipe it using a clean and dry cloth.
Ensure you wipe every part of the microwave, including the vents. Use a fresh cloth dipped in warm water to remove chemical residue from the window spray. Before you wipe the microwave after cleaning, leave it for a few minutes.
Can You Use a Microwave That’s Wet or Moist Inside?
Microwave cavities are not designed to be waterproof. Therefore, they can easily allow water or moisture to accumulate inside.
However, the moisture isn’t a problem, and they can handle a little condensation but with a few issues might arise for the efficiency and safety of the user and appliance.
What Will Happen If Your Microwave Gets Wet?
Since the microwave isn’t designed to hold water, you need to avoid getting it wet by all means. In fact, water is terrible news in almost any electrical appliance, especially when you turn it on without fully drying it.
Too much or frequent condensation or water in your microwave damages its interior. Water leaks in the microwave are also known to lead to paint lift. This could potentially translate to rust. Even though corrosion isn’t a safety concern at all, it’s known to reduce the lifespan of microwaves.
The presence of water in your microwave also causes it to leak into electrical conductors forcing them to lose their current transmission capacity. In the end, the efficiency of the microwave is greatly reduced.
Additionally, water in the microwave causes oxidation of the conductors. The more the conductors become oxidized, the more they become exposed to overheating. If they become very hot enough, you could witness a fire accident.
Finally, the presence of water in your microwave encourages the growth of molds. This will affect the smell and safety of your food. Mold also causes allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms.
Why Would A Microwave Get Wet Inside?
A microwave gets wet inside due to poor maintenance and condensation. Condensation results from reheating or cooking certain foods.
Since a microwave heats up water molecules, it produces steam that usually condenses when it gets into contact with the microwave walls. This will likely lead to a water puddle at the microwave base, which might then drip down the oven door.
There is no need to worry when this happens since such water leaks don’t affect the microwave’s performance.
However, if you fail to wipe the condensation from the microwave door, it’s likely to cause stains and watermarks.
To solve the problem, keep your microwave door open for almost 15-minutes to allow the water to dissipate fully. Proper ventilation and the application of vent fans can help speed the drying of water and prevent moisture build-up.
A microwave can also experience leakages thanks to a lack of maintenance. Your microwave needs regular cleaning and maintenance for optimum performance just like any other appliance. Your main focus should be cleaning vents to prevent blockage.
If they’re already blocked, unblock them immediately. Never clean the vents when your microwave is in operation.
What Should You Use To Clean a Microwave Oven?
We understand that cleaning a microwave isn’t easy and is something you won’t like doing all the time. However, you can clean your microwave within minutes with the right tools and skills.
Before you clean your microwave, unplug its power cord. This could be the perfect time to inspect the power cord for damage or dirt. You can then inspect the inside of your microwave to determine the dirtiest sections.
But what can you use to clean your microwave? Below are things you can employ to easily clean the microwave and give it a decent smell:
1. Using A Wet Paper Towel / Miracle Wipes
We recommend using a wet paper towel or miracle wipes if your microwave isn’t very messy. You just need to put your wet paper towel in the microwave and run it on high for about 5 minutes.
This approach creates steam that is critical in removing contaminants and unwanted dirt in the microwave. It also functions as a primer for tougher components like stuck food.
2. Cleaning with Soap
Here, you can either use the hand-on or hands-off methods. Let’s consider what each option involves.
Hand-on Approach
- Mix a dishwashing liquid with water in a bowl. Soak and squeeze the sponge until the water gets suds.
- You can then remove the turntable to scrub with a soapy sponge. Rinse and allow it to dry. Also, remove all crumbs from the microwave using a rag or damp paper towel.
- Using a soapy sponge scrub, the microwave’s inside surface. Wipe down the surfaces using a damp paper towel to get rid of suds. Ensure that water doesn’t get in the vents.
- Finally, wipe everything using a rag or dry paper towel to prevent streaking. Afterward, replace the turntable.
Hands-off Method
- Mix warm water and a dishwashing liquid in a bowl. You can then add some baking soda if you want to deodorize your microwave. Put the bowl in your microwave and operate it on high for 5-minutes.
- Remove the turntable and wipe it using a damp sponge. You can then dry it using a paper towel. Also, wipe down the microwave surface using a damp sponge.
3 Using Baking Soda
If there is food stuck in the microwave, baking soda would be the best solution for you. You just need to mix water and baking soda and put it on any hardened food in the microwave.
Let it settle for about 5 minutes, and wipe it off using a towel or wet sponge. Repeat the process until all the unwanted burnt food is removed.
4. Using Lemon
Lemon is a great natural disinfectant that you can use to clean your microwave. Here, you just need to cut a lemon into two and put the cut side on the microwave movable plate. Add several teaspoons of water and place the plate back into the microwave.
Remove the plate from the microwave and wipe the excess fluid in the microwave. Ensure you thoroughly wipe the outside and inside of the microwave.
5. Vinegar Solution
You just use vinegar solution the same way you use soap. Here, you need to mix vinegar and one cup of water in equal parts.
Ensure you wipe the microwave dry after applying vinegar solution to ensure no vinegar traces are left in the microwave.
For your information, the vinegar solution offers a versatile, natural, and timeless cleaning product that can remove stubborn grime and stains. We recommend using this option if your microwave is extra dirty.
Read more: Distilled Vinegar vs Regular
6. Commercial Cleaners
You can use different commercial cleaners to clean your microwave. However, be warned that they sometimes emit unpleasant and toxic fumes. This can give your food an odd taste.
If you decide to use commercial cleaners, choose one that is fume-free. After cleaning, leave the microwave door open for several hours.
The good thing is that you can employ commercial cleaners outside the microwave. Ensure you dry your microwave after cleaning it.
7. Using Window Cleaners
If there is one part that requires constant care, it’s the microwave door. The best solution to use would be a window cleaner that works effectively for both the outside and inside of the microwave.
Get a sponge or rag and dip it into a window cleaner solution. You can then scrub the exterior and interior of your unit. Repeat the process until your microwave is very clean.
Why Is My Microwave Sparking After Cleaning It?
If your microwave is producing sparks after cleaning, there is a high chance you left metal inside. This could be a tin foil or a spoon in your coffee.
For your information, even a tiny bit of steel wool in your microwave can cause sparking. This results from the electromagnetic waves being converted into electricity when it gets into contact with metal.
Read more: Why There Are Sparks In Your Microwave