Yes, you’ve reached the most thrilling post that you might ever find on my blog. Perhaps I’ve reached an all-time low when I start talking about microwaves and cleaning. Is there an award for that?
In my second job as a nanny {which lasted a whole 6 months because OH the stories I could tell!} I discovered that the title nanny is sometimes code for ‘housekeeper who occasionally plays with the kids’. I’m a goody-two-shoes from way back, so I took that housekeeping seriously, which often thrilled my boss… who sat in and watched me {with such pride} take apart the toilet to clean it. What a good little nanny housekeeper.
I won’t ever show you how to clean a toilet {I’ll draw the line there} but microwaves, I can do microwaves! Put your chemicals away and you don’t even need your elbow grease. You just need water, vinegar, and a little enthusiasm.
World, meet my microwave. Top tip: Black is so much more forgiving than white.
World, meet the various bits of crap that have exploded inside my microwave. If you look carefully to the left you might be able to see some lasagne circa March 2014. Kidding.
All you need is 1 microwave-safe bowl, 3 cups of water & half a cup of white vinegar.
Place it in your microwave and cook on high for 6 minutes. You can use this time to dance, drink tea, check Facebook, or lounge unproductively on the couch like you know you want to.
This is pretty much creating a steam inside your microwave, which is going to make it super easy to clean out.
Once the timer goes off, get a wet, clean cloth and wipe that thing out. Depending on how dirty you are, you might need to remove the tray and give that a quick clean in the sink. And then you’re done.
World, please respond appropriately to my awesomely clean microwave. Oh yeah. $20 says no one in my family even notices, but we’ll see!
I learned this tip a few months back and I LOVE IT! No more scrubbing to get those ‘microwaved on’ crumbs to disappear!
It’s a bit revolutionary, isn’t it?
Ha this is true!
I think you have just saved my life. I hate cleaning our microwave because it’s in a spot that’s not easy to reach (I’d like to meet the genius that designed our kitchen) and because I’m short I can’t even reach the back but I get funny about splatter in there too. Fortunately now I can use this method and just get my fiance to wipe it out for me in a matter of seconds! More posts like these please, I’m such a lazy housekeeper! Also just want to go off topic for a second here and thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of Erin Condren. I ordered mine after seeing it mentioned in your blog and I’ve never been happier with a diary/planner/organiser! Thank you Chantelle, you’re changing my life for the better one blog post at a time!
Oh wow Sarah. That’s huge! So glad you love your planner. And I’m hoping to bring more useful stuff. Thanks again for your super kind words. x
I knew I should have been writing a blog years ago as I have been cleaning my microwave like this ( albeit minus the vinegar ) for years 🙂
Just water Sandie? You’re blowing my mind! 😛
Lemon in the water also works a treat.
That would smell good too. 🙂
I am so doing this! Genius 🙂 I think mum does this and adds vanilla for a nice smell. I need to give mine a good clean when we move into the new house so I’ll be saving this page!
Oh and I LOVE that view in the microwave reflection.
Thanks xx
Amazing! Now i have no excuse to keep putting off cleaning the microwave….
Fantastic! Now who can tell me the most painless way to clean my oven? … who knew they don’t clean themselves! :p
You aren’t just an internet goddess, you’re a domestic goddess too! I will try this at home, but the real test will be on the work microwave which has food debris from the Jurassic period I’m sure. If it can make that microwave clean, then it will be nothing short of miraculous! And yes, I promise to post a before and after photo!
Great tip. I’m going to clean my microwave right now and yes, no one here will notice either!
Great tip – will try it. I spray vinegar in our shower before cleaning it to prevent mildew. Doesn’t smell very good but far less harsh than mildew cleaners. Lemon, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda best non cleaning products to clean and disinfect with
I literally noticed last night while heating leftover spaghetti marinara for dinner that our microwave needed a good clean. Will be doing your little routine this weekend. Thank you!
I think I just fell a little bit in love with you! I love using vinegar to clean. Who knew it was this easy to do the mic
I’ll definitely be giving this method a go! Cleaning out the microwave is one of the many household chores I dislike!
🙂
Thanks for your cleaning tips but wow look at the view in your microwave reflection. Looks idyllic!
Microwave successfully and easily cleaned using this technique. Thanks Chantelle! Now…any tips for cleaning the oven? 😛
We don’t have a microwave (Seriously!!! It was on the list to buy when we moved out, 10+ years later we’ve never had one and never needed one! There’s always one at workplaces for leftover lunches – and you never need to clean them) But can you help me with the oven please!!??? 😉
Right, you MAY have inspired me to give this a go – my friend was only giving me shit about my filthy microwave the other day…she then shared this post with me. And unlike you FMS, I may well do a post about pulling the toilet apart to clean it…..stay tuned, ha ha ha. Do you think we need to get a life????
Am going to put this obviously fab tip to the test tomorrow…
I got sucked into commenting on this. I was a live-in nanny for six months and my boss was SUCH a psycho, always looking for an opportunity to rip me off – refusing to reimburse me for things like parking outside the children’s school and entry to the swimming pool (which she changed her tune on quickly when the boys missed a swimming lesson because she didn’t (despite me reminder her) leave money for entry, and I said I would not be paying out of my own pocket because I couldn’t trust her to pay me back). Anyway I caught the flu off her son and was able to arrange for him to go on play dates while I was at my worst so I didn’t have to cope with a 4yo while sick… but to “keep me productive” she insisted I paint her staircase banister! All FOUR STORIES OF IT! I literally sat on the staircase, full of flu, choking and spluttering with a huge fever, with a tiny paintbrush and did the whole thing… only to have her try and cut my pay anyway because “its not like I had to look after children, only paint.” I threw a tantrum, got my way, and then I left not long after that… and thanks for the advice re cleaning my microwave!!!