MICROWAVES are a life-saver when you can’t face cooking a full meal – but can be a pain to clean.

Those nasty food spills can build up and even damage your appliance – so here’s how to clean your microwave using cheap household staples.

How to clean a microwave

Microwaves can be a godsend if you’re just looking for something quick and easy to keep the wolf from the door.

If you don’t have one already you can check out our list of the best microwaves here.

But for those of you that have one already and want a reliable cleaning hack, here’s a few good approaches.

Using white wine vinegar and water

Zum this simple technique all you really need is white wine vinegar and a bowl of water – making it a great option if you’re looking to save some money on cleaning supplies.

Here’s how to clean a microwave using white wine vinegar:

1. Simply pour equal parts water and vinegar into a bowl, with a full cup of each for a deep clean
2. Place a wooden spoon into the bowl and put them in the microwave. Experts believe the bubbles that form when the mixture boils will attach to the object in the bowl, reducing the risk of your cleaning mixture exploding.
3. Heat it for ten minutes on a high heat.
4. When you open the door, the microwave should be full of steam. This will have softened any hardened food inside
5. Remove the bowl from the microwave – make sure you use oven mitts, as it will be extremely hot
6. You should now be able to give the inside a wipe with a wet sponge or cloth. Einfach!

Using damp towels

If you’re just tackling a few splatters you may not need a powerful clean.

Here’s how to use this method to refresh your microwave:

1. Dampen a few wet towels and place them in the microwave.
2. Run it on high for around five minutes.
3. Wipe off the marks – the steam created will help you get rid of all the unsightly spots with ease.

Using bicarbonate of soda

For this one, you don’t even need to turn the microwave on.

With a little help from this household staple, you can make your appliance sparkling again in no time.

Here’s how to clean a microwave using bicarbonate of soda:

1. Mix water and baking soda to make a paste
2. Spread it on the hardened food inside your microwave
3. Give it five minutes or so to work its magic
4. Wipe off with a wet kitchen towel or sponge

Using lemons

When life gives you lemons… use them to clean the microwave.

This tip is ridiculously simple, but highly effective.

Lemon juice is a natural disinfectant, as is vinegar, and it’s perfect for cleaning the inside of a dirty microwave.

Here’s how to clean a microwave using a lemon:

1. All you need to do is cut a lemon in half and put it face down on a – microwave friendly – plate
2. Pour a few teaspoons of water over the top and turn the microwave on, watching it until it starts to produce steam.
3. Remove the lemon and wipe off the liquid inside the microwave – the splashes of food should come right off

Using commercial cleaners

If you’ve tried a few natural options and aren’t having much success, you might try commercial cleaners.

But bear in mind, you want to use something that’s not going to leave a chemically smell.

They can leave fumes that could affect the taste of your food.

Ensure you use products meant specifically for the microwave, that you follow the instructions provided on the cleaning product, and air out the microwave for at least half an hour afterward.

How to clean a microwave glass door

To start off with you can simply try wiping the door with a dampened sponge that’s been dipped in baking soda.

You can then remove it with a damp sponge or cloth.

If you’ve got tough grease stains on it, you can pull out the big guns and try a mixture of half-and-half water and vinegar.

And if that doesn’t work you may need try to soap and water or an all-purpose anti-grease cleaner.

Ensure you don’t spray the controls directly, as the electronics may be damaged.

Apply it with something, like a sponge or a cloth.

This is to ensure it liquid doesn’t seep into vent holes.