Quck answer
To steam clean a microwave with wet paper towels, follow these steps:
1. Wet several paper towels with water.
2. Place the wet paper towels in the microwave.
3. Close the microwave door and set the timer for 3-5 minutes.
4. Turn on the microwave and let it run until the paper towels have steamed.
5. Carefully remove the hot paper towels from the microwave.
6. Use the damp paper towels to wipe down the interior of the microwave, including the walls and ceiling.
7. Pay special attention to any stubborn stains or food residue.
8. Dispose of the dirty paper towels and enjoy your clean microwave.
When you’re not using the microwave, it’s easy for spills and splatters to go unnoticed and dry up. However, using chemicals to clean the microwave is not the safest option. Instead, you can steam clean the inside of the microwave using wet paper towels.
Microwave Cleaning Hack
Steam cleaning is an excellent hack for cleaning microwaves as it effortlessly loosens stubborn messes. To steam clean with paper towels, wet a paper towel and fold it twice for easier handling. Squeeze out a small amount of water over the sink and place the paper towel on the glass tray or turntable inside the microwave. Set the microwave to high power and heat the paper towel for one minute or until the window begins to steam up.
Keep the microwave door closed for five to 10 minutes to allow the steam to clean the microwave. This also gives the paper towel enough time to cool down. Afterward, use the paper towel to wipe down the inside of the microwave, focusing on spills and splatters. If the first paper towel gets dirty, use additional wet or dry paper towels to clean other areas.
Cleaning Tough Messes
If it appears that there’s a large mess in your microwave that has gone unnoticed for days, you may need a little more cleaning power. Baking soda and steam cleaning can work together to effectively scrub away these tough messes without the need for chemicals.
In a shallow bowl, mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda with 2 or 3 tablespoons of water to create a paste. The measurements don’t have to be exact; the goal is to make enough paste to cover all the problem spots in the microwave. Spread the paste over the affected areas using a sponge or paper towel. Place a glass measuring cup with 1/2 cup of water inside the microwave and heat it for several minutes until it steams up the window. Leave the microwave door closed for an additional 10 minutes after heating.
Open the microwave door and carefully remove the measuring cup. Dip a sponge into the warm water from the microwave and use it to clean up the baking soda and food residue inside the microwave. Rinse the sponge frequently.
Enhanced Cleaning Power
To further enhance the steam cleaning process, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to the water before heating it. The acidic properties of citrus and vinegar help remove mineral deposits and spots inside the microwave. They are also effective at cleaning the glass tray at the bottom of the microwave. After steaming the microwave and allowing the water to cool slightly, remove the glass tray and thoroughly wipe it down with the watery solution. Removing the tray allows you to clean its edges thoroughly to remove any unnoticed drips.
You can also use the same lemon juice or vinegar water to wipe down the exterior of the microwave. This solution is safe to use on plastic or metal microwaves, unlike some cleaning products.
