Microwave ovens have become a kitchen staple in many households in the United States and around the world. They make cooking for one or an entire family much easier, but, as you likely know if you use your microwave extensively, can become smelly and caked with cooked-on food. This guide was designed to teach you how to clean your microwave quickly and easily using the steam created from boiling water, rather than chemical cleaners.

Many people around the world use their microwave on a daily basis, whether it's for re-heating leftovers, warming up cold soup or coffee, or even for cooking full meals for the entire family.

However, as most have discovered, the more you use your microwave, the dirtier it gets. Regardless of how much you try to cover food while you microwave it, and keep an eye on it as it cooks, you'll often still end up with splatters of food on the top, sides and bottom of your microwave.

If you use your microwave to cook or heat up fish or other foods that have strong odors you've likely noticed that these smells can linger for days in your microwave, and sometimes even effect how other microwaved food tastes.

However, unlike many other surfaces in your kitchen and elsewhere, you should avoid using chemical cleansers when cleaning your microwave. These solutions can linger in the microwave, and infuse the next meal you cook with chemicals and an unpleasant flavor.

You can get a sparkling clean, fresh-smelling microwave quickly and easily, using just the few common items listed below:

1. A clean cloth, dampened with warm water
2. A microwave-safe bowl large enough to hold two or three cups of water
3. Water
4. A few teaspoons of lemon juice or a slice of fresh lemon (optional, but recommended for removing odors)

Before you begin the actual cleaning process, remove the tray and any other removable parts from your microwave. This will make it much easier to clean, and will ensure that you are able to get even the corners and bottom clean. Set these parts aside, in your sink; you will clean these last.

The steam created by boiling water in your microwave acts as a natural lifting agent to remove stuck-on food. Adding a small amount of lemon juice or a slice fresh lemon to the water before you boil it will work wonders to get rid of any lingering odors.

To clean your microwave safely and naturally, follow the steps below:

1. Put 2-3 cups of clean water into your microwave-safe bowl
2. If using, add the lemon juice or lemon slice to the bowl
3. Place the bowl in the microwave
4. Turn your microwave on high for about three minutes; cooking times will vary between microwaves, but keep an eye on the water, ensuring that it boils rapidly for at least one minute
5. Remove the bowl from the microwave; it may be very hot, so use oven mitts or a tea towel to avoid getting burned
6. Use your damp cloth to thoroughly wipe the interior of your microwave
7. If your microwave is especially dirty or smelly, repeat steps 1-6 above as many times as necessary

Once you are satisfied that the interior of your microwave is clean, your last step is to clean the tray and exterior of your microwave.

1. Ensure that your microwave tray is in your sink
2. Pour the water you boiled in the microwave in the previous step over the tray
3. Allow the tray to sit in the sink for 2-3 minutes
4. Carefully, using oven mitts if it is hot, tip the tray and allow the hot water to drain off
5. Using your damp cloth, thoroughly wipe the top and bottom of the microwave tray as many times as necessary to get it sparkling clean
6. Use the cloth to wipe the front, top, and sides of your microwave