Place a large coffee mug that is 1/2 full of water in your dirty microwave oven. Bring to a rolling boil, then let it sit in the closed microwave for 10-15 minutes. Wipe clean with a paper towel.
UPDATE: Some readers have warned of the possibility that microwaves can overheat water which can explode and cause burns. Here’s what Snopes.com has to say on the matter:
Yes, water can “explode” in the fashion described above. However, it takes near perfect conditions to bring this about, thus “exploding water” is not something the average hot beverage drinker who would otherwise now be eyeing his microwave with trepidation need fear. Odds are, you’ll go through life without ever viewing this phenomenon first-hand, and if you’re one of the rare few who does get to see it, you will likely not be harmed by the experience (that would take your standing right over the cup at the instant it happened, and the liquid’s bolting up and hitting your skin).
Nuff said.
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I’ve done this with lemon juice or vinegar (just heated to hot, not boiling) but have never thought to try it with just water.
this is the only way i know how clean a microwave! thanks for spreading the chemical-free gospel, guys. using a spatter shield (when it fits) can help prevent messes before they happen, too.
rhonda, water works fine most of the time, but if you need the cleaning boost of lemon juice or vinegar, you can always use a little bit (a tablespoon or so) and dilute it with water. makes the store-bought stuff last longer!
If you put your wrung out dishcloth in the microwave every day (just between washings) for 1 minute you’ll kill almost every germ picked up with it during the day, and also it makes it easier to give a really quick wipe to the microwave after with a paper towel and pick up any daily smears and/or crumbs. Keeps the dishcloth sanitary and keeps the job of cleaning the microwave a very small task.
I’ve been doing this for years but usually add a splash of vanilla to the water to deodorise as well as clean the mikey.
I have done this for years, but use vinegar instead of water. It cuts the grease, kills germs and disinfects. Love your site!
Thanks for the great ideas.
I do the same with a wet sponge to sanitize it between daily ‘kitchen sink duties’…will try the vanilla trick….hmmmm…would this work for tooth brushes?? Don’t put the tooth brush in a cup of boiling water, as the heat of the water will ‘twist’ the plastic handle into funky designs. Just found this site, due to a dear friend…am going to add it to my ‘FAVS’
a girlfriend sent me your video of retrieving something from a drain and i thought your site too good to hide in an email! hence, i added you to my blog and commented on it today! love love love the site!! and the way you’ve introduced the fam is too funny. rock on!!
I also have used the lemon water idea when someone (that really famous person at our house, along with I don’t know!) burns a bag of popcorn in the microwave. I usually use cut-up lemons in the water and let it sit for a long time with the door shut. Great site….keep it coming!
Works with damp Bounty towels (use Bounty–it’s practically sanitary). I also have scrubbed the microwave with salt, sprinkled on tough spots.
Good idea. I usually use apple cider vinegar to clean the microwave – it is a good natural disinfectant as well as cleaner.
This works even better when you add a tablespoon of baking soda to your cup of water! What an easy way to clean!
Good idea… but it is safe to boil water in microwave?
You betcha! I do it all the time.
Just be sure to leave the cup un disturbed till it cools down again.
Water doesn’t boil readily in a microwave like it does in a pan on the stove.
Then if you move the cup, the contents can boil up all at once making a mini volcano of your cup. Splashing extremely hot water all over you.
I wouldn’t recommend doing this if anyone else could accidentally come in contact with it unaware.
The wet dish cloth would be a lot safer, to be extra safe limit the time to less than 90 seconds on the high setting.It can even ignite if left too long.
I’ve been doing this for 3 month, the good thing is that you can adapt it to your taste. sometimes with vinegar sometimes with baking soda. and i confirm it better with baking soda. thx again for this tips
Boiling water in a microwave can be extremely dangerous if, after you bring the water to a rolling boil, you move it or put anything into it. As Elmer Fudd said, “be vewy vewy careful.”
good idea, but not very very green.
I have been cleaning my microwave using this method for quite a while but today I received an e-mail that told of a person getting 1st and 2nd degree burns on his face from the ‘exploding’ water. Microwaves will ’superheat’ the water and here may not be any visible bubbles to warn you. Never heat water (or any other liquid)for more than 2 minutes. Thanks for this site. The kids are adorable and I always appreciate a snarky comment!
I’ve also heard about super heated water in microwaves. I guess we’ve never encountered it since we leave the water sitting after the beep for 5-10 minutes. I’ll post an update on the tip warning people of the issue.
Only boil your water for 1 minute. It will boil at that point. Then carefully remove your water from the microwave and use it for tea, coffee, or whatever. I recommend using a potholder on the object holding the water. It is better to be safe than sorry with burned fingers.
The safest ay to boil water in the microwave, is to put a popsicle stick in the cup of water. The wood alows the bubbles to escape, thus making an “explosion” VERY unlikely!
The ” exploding water” is nearly impossible, But I just place a soggy dish cloth in, nuke 1 – 2 min, let set for the steam to work, also cooling the rag to touchable temp and wipe away. Tough spots, can have a second go around while you’re cleaning the glass tray in the sink. replace and be done.