The dirt accumulates easily inside the microwave and when it gets ingrained, it can be difficult to remove. Fortunately, there is a simple trick that resorts to grapefruit peels, water and steam to help soften the waste and make cleaning very easy.
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17/08/2026
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Com the rush from day to day, the dirt can accumulate in the microwave without being noticed and, the more time passes, the harder it will be to remove it.
If this is your case, then point out this cleaning trick that could make your life a lot easier in the future.
How to clean the microwave
To begin with, you will need a grapefruit – or another citrus fruit – a bowl with water and a cleaning cloth. Peel the grapefruit and add the peels to the bowl with water. Take the mixture to the microwave for a few minutes or until the water starts steaming. Let the water cool and remove the bowl from the microwave carefully.
Once the microwave interior was covered with moisture, the final step is to pass the damp cloth inside, cleaning all surfaces.
This is because by heating the water in the microwave, the steam generated releases the molecular bonds of food splashes. Add peel enhances cleaning as citrus fruit releases d-limonene, a compound that acts by dissolving fatty substances.
If you want to clean your microwave more deeply, you can enhance steam cleaning with the help of cleaning vinegar, doing the same process. You can also put a broken lemon in half in a bowl with water and resort to the same trick.
How to prolong the life of your microwave
According to Tasting Table, there are apparently harmless habits that can lead to your microwave spoiling faster.
1- Do not clean regularly
“ There are many reasons to clean the microwave regularly, but one you probably didn’t consider is how a dirty microwave affects performance and can be dangerous.”
2- Use it as a timer
“ While using the empty microwave as a timer may be useful, this may impair the device's life. Connecting it empty may turn out to be a problem.”
3- Placing metal objects
“ Every time you do this, you are risking the life of your microwave.”
4- Putting foods prone to sparks
“There are some foods that tend to generate sparks in the microwave.”
5- Heat products with paper
“There are times when paper products work well in the microwave and others do not. It is important to know the difference to avoid causing an accidental fire.”
6- Ignore noises and sparks
“Noises and sparks may seem insignificant, but they may be the cause or sign of major problems.”
7- Overload the microwave
“Overload can cause a number of problems that can lead to its destruction if you do not realize what is happening before it is too late.”
8- Block airflow
“ Ventilation is important to prevent deterioration of performance. When ventilation is blocked, it may not work as well as it should.”
9- Knock on door
“ Every time you knock on the microwave door, you wear essential parts. In addition to speeding up the useful life of the device, it can also expose itself to radiation.”
10- Allow the dish to rotate irregularly
“ Fixing the swivel plate can improve the operation of the device, preventing you from having to buy a new one so soon.”