A microwave’s interior and exterior can become dirty over time as a result of food splatters, overcooking of food, spills, etc.
The microwave then tends to emit foul smells and there is a chance of bacterial growth inside the microwave.
To prevent this, you should make sure that your microwave is always cleaned properly from time to time.
For cleaning a microwave, I recommend you to use lemon, baking soda, and vinegar, but if you want to learn how to clean a microwave with chemicals, then this article is for you.
In this article, I will discuss what chemicals can or can not be used to clean microwave and what’s the best practices that you should follow to clean your microwave.
So without any further ado let’s get started:
Is it safe to clean a microwave with chemicals
This may sound like a good idea, but there is no such thing as a “safe” chemical solution when it comes to cleaning the microwave.
The reason behind this is that you are going to be using chemicals in a very high concentration, therefore they will have the potential to damage or affect the plastic or other materials inside your microwave.
Also, if the chemicals do get inside, then you will have to clean it again in order to remove any chemical residue that may still be present in your microwave.
That is why you should avoid using chemical products for cleaning your microwave.
If you want to clean your microwave with a chemical solution, then I recommend that you check this article on DIY tips for cleaning the microwave.
Caution if you are using any chemical solution for cleaning a microwave then in case if it gets inside the vents, then the chemical may damage it.
Also Read: Things not to put on top of the microwave
Avoid using bleach
Can you clean a microwave with bleach?
When it comes to the topic of cleaning microwaves with strong chemicals, most people think that using bleach for this purpose is a good idea, but in reality, it’s not. In fact, you should never use bleach for cleaning a microwave.
Most stains on the microwave can be easily cleaned with a mild solution of vinegar, dish soap, etc., and there is no need for using bleach.
Also, bleach can ultimately damage the microwave if there are any plastic parts in it, hence it just doesn’t make sense to use bleach when it is not even required.
So what should you use then? Well, keep on reading!
Can you use All Purpose Cleaner in the microwave?
You can use it to clean the outer surface, however, for cleaning the interior I wouldn’t recommend it, as there is always the risk of it damaging the microwave if it gets inside the vent holes as the solution can be corrosive and may ultimately damage the interior of the microwave.
Not to mention, that the microwave may emit chemical smells all over the place if you use the chemical solution inside.
Rather, you should use a DIY solution to clean the interior by using these steps:
- Pour water into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Slice a lemon in half and add a few drops of it to the water, you can also add a few drops of vinegar.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and turn it on till you can see the steam on the microwave door. Let it cool for a while.
- Then wipe the interior with a cloth or paper towel soaked in vinegar or baking soda solution, depending on the stains you’re trying to remove. If the stains are mild then you can just use a dry cloth.
Which Chemical products should you use for cleaning a microwave?
There are some products like Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist, or any other similar product for cleaning microwaves.
Well, no matter which product that you’re using to clean your microwave, it’s important to follow some basic safety precautions that will help you prevent the risk of damaging the interior of your microwave:
- Always clean the microwave in a well-ventilated area and never in a closed-up room because it can create toxic fumes that may cause respiratory problems.
- Always use kits and cleaning products designed for cleaning microwaves, or else you may end up damaging the microwave.
- Always check the bottle label to make sure that it is safe to use in microwaves and also safe to clean the interior of your microwave.
Is it safe to clean the microwave with lysol?
You can learn from the mistakes of other people who have previously used lysol to clean the microwave but later regret it.
No it’s not safe to clean the microwave with lysol, especially the interior unless you want to ruin your microwave. Also if you are considering cleaning the exterior with it then try to avoid cleaning any area near the vent, as once the lysol goes in the vent it’s not going to turn well.
If it gets near the vent then you will need to wash that area multiple times till the lysol is completely removed.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, in this article, I have discussed how to clean the microwave with chemicals as well as safety precautions that you should take while cleaning the microwave.
You can also check my other blog post on DIY Tips & Tricks for Cleaning a Microwave Oven which has some of the best methods for getting rid of stains and spots from your microwave.
There are no adverse effects of Homemade DIY microwave cleaning solutions.
For a quick summary, you should avoid using any chemicals for cleaning the microwave unless they are designed specifically for the microwave, and other similar appliances.
Also, if you would like to know more about cleaning a microwave, then feel free to comment below and I will get back to you soon.