The Genius Microwave Cleaning Hack We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

Cleaning the kitchen is like an endless battle you never signed up for, and the microwave is the ultimate culprit. It’s a tiny box that somehow turns into a crime scene of exploding spaghetti sauce, butter splatter and unidentifiable gunk that take forever to clean. Who knew that reheating leftovers could result in a Jackson Pollock painting?

Scrubbing the microwave is especially maddening because you almost need to contort yourself into an Olympic gymnast pose to reach that back corner. But the worst part is that weird smell that lingers no matter how much you clean. Still, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of wiping it clean—except for maybe cleaning it without all that effort.

And thanks to content creator @jeffandlaurenshow we now have a quick, easy and almost effortless way to get the microwave clean—and it starts by letting the microwave do most of the the work.

Related: 5 Foods You Should Never, Ever Reheat in the Microwave, According to Food Safety Experts

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The Simplest Way to Clean Your Microwave

To get your microwave clean in no time, you need just two ingredients: water and distilled white vinegar. Put equal parts of both in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave for five minutes.

Heating white vinegar and water in a microwave works wonders because the process creates steam, which softens stubborn grime and food residue stuck to the walls and ceiling of the appliance, including all of those holes and grooves. The acidic vinegar helps break down grease and kill bacteria, while the steam loosens dried-on messes, making them easy to wipe away.

This simple combination tackles both mess and odor, leaving your microwave cleaner with less effort. It’s an easy, all-natural solution—no elbow grease or harsh chemicals required!

Related: The Part of Your Microwave You’re Probably Not Cleaning

Make Cleaning Your Microwave More Fun With This Cute Gadget

This method is so popular that there is now a gadget for it.

The Angry Mama cleaner is a quirky, microwave-cleaning gadget that is shaped like a tiny, cartoonish woman with a furious expression. It features a removable head and arms and it is made from heat-resistant plastic. I have one and it's not only functional, but also really fun!

To use it, just fill Angry Mama with a mixture of vinegar and water (you can add lemon juice for freshness), reattach her head, and place her in the microwave. Heat for about 5-7 minutes and steam will pour from her head, softening stuck-on grime and stains, just like the method shared above.

Once done, simply wipe the microwave clean. How easy was that?

Now That Your Microwave is Clean, Get Cooking!

These are some of our favorite quick, easy and clever microwave recipes. And if any of this makes a mess, you know how to clean it up.
• The Grandpa-Approved Trick to Perfectly Cooked, Silk-Free Corn
• The Trick to Perfectly Crunchy, Toasty, Never Hard Homemade Granola
• Why Ina Garten Make Oatmeal in the Microwave (Yes, Really) 
• Dolly Parton's 10-Minute Microwave Baked Beans

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