Survey: Cleaning a microwave...?

Question

I read somewhere (about a gazillion years ago! LOL!) that a good way to rid a microwave of spatteres/burnt on food, is to put a small glass dish of household ammonia in it for x-amount of seconds/minutes.
Has anyone tried this? If so, for how long did you heat it?

I see the commercials for 'microwave cleaners', but I have a tendency to avoid over-priced crap that is usually a rip-off. (Like most 'cleaning agents' are...!
Ammonia is usually the main ingredient in all cleaners! Why pay more for a fragrance, when you can get that from a $0.99 candle?!)
Anywhooo...has anyone used this method for cleaning a microwave? How did it work?!

Peace...

GOOD GRIEF, PEOPLE---I'm talking household ammonia, here...not anhydrous or something.!!
Honestly!! **shakes head**

Check out the labels on your cleaners. A majority of them will have ammonia as a main 'ingredient'.
It's great for getting grease out of clothes, washing windows, pretty much everything.

BIG difference between straight ammonia & household ammonia...

Answer 1

Believe it or not, it's a simple as heating a bowl of water in there. As soon as it sarts to really steam, wipe with a sponge. It works. Steam is a great cleaning agent.

Answer 2

I've not tried ammonia but I have used vinegar and water...the action that you are looking for is the steam generated by the liquid...I personally would have a tendancy to stay away from the ammonia...simply because it is a strong, toxic chemical that in itself will leave residual smell that could continue to penetrate into the foods you cook afterwards, for at least a few days.

A bowl of water, left to get hot...in a microwavable bowl, for about 5 minutes or as long as your microwave needs to create a boiling point for a few minutes...The steam itself softens the goop and it wipes of easily.

Also, I use a mix of vinegar, water and baking soda with just a capful of ammonia as the solution to actually wipe down the microwave...this works very very well and this way the ammonia isn't a lingering part of the process but the comination of these items will wash up any stain or goop even from shower tiles and tubs...better than any commercial product. It doesn't hurt the hands either and gloves aren't necessary unless you want them. It does leave a bit of white residue on the skin due to the baking soda...but otherwise, it works very well.

Use the following mix at a time when you are planning to do your tub/tile work as well...this mixture got tiles that area, yet to be treated with sealer in my shower area, (mistake made by previous owner and is horrid) spotless without very much elbow grease at all...I use this all the time now for tough cleaning and wiping out the microwave ...

Never mix a chlorine bleach with ammonia...creates toxic fumes and can severely burn your lungs.

1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ammonia and 1 gallon warm water.

Answer 3

Ummm, I don't think it would be wise to microwave ammonia at all. Honestly, I use a sponge and spray some Fantastik Orange Cleaner on it and it works like a charm. Afterwards, I soak the sponge in 1 part water and 1 part bleach to sanitize the sponge so that the sponge is ready for me to use the next time I need to clean the microwave.

Answer 4

I've never heard of that and I'd never try it. Microwaves should only be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution, never any kind of chemicals. When I have spattered, stuck food in mine I just put a glass measuring cup filled with one cup of water and heat it to boiling (about 2-3 minutes). The steam loosens the hard stuff and makes it easier to wipe off. You can also use a plastic scouring brush for the stubborn stuff.

Answer 5

No, but I use these and they both work .

Boiling 2 cups of water with lemon juice inside the microwave for 2 minutes before cleaning will help loosen any food particles remove any oders. Then clean as usual.


To clean your microwave oven, put a microwave-safe bowl of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in the oven, and cook long enough to boil. In addition to removing any lingering odors, this will loosen any baked-on food from the microwave's walls.

Answer 6

I agree.....there's no need to waste $$ on commercial microwave cleaners at all. You do your bit for Mother Earth at the same time by reducing plastic waste and harmful chemicals going into the ocean.
Juice a lemon, and place the juice (in a microwavable bowl of course) into the microwave and set your timer for 2 minutes. The acid and chemicals in the lemon juice will help to remove odours and loosen stubborn grit in your microwave. Afterwhich, simply give a good wipe with a damp cloth.
Good luck.

Answer 7

OMG don't do it! lol... my mom did it when I was little. It made our microwave explode. Microwaves use frequencies to cook your food. Their is a lot of chemicals in ammonia. I use 409 (It's cheap) I spray it all over inside and then walk away for 10 or so minutes. Then I take a scrubby sponge and wipe it all out, and use water to get it all out. It cleans it out great! (I am Italian so i always have sauce and burnt cheese inside of my microwave all of the time).

Answer 8

No, I haven't but, something I have done that works is wet a paper towel and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds (depends on the size) and the steam it creates will loosen stuck on food. After it beeps, leave it for about 5 minutes.

Answer 9

All you have to do is put a bowl of water in your microwave until it boils and let it go for a few minutes. You can let it sit for another few minutes and then just wipe out the inside with a rag. Everything will come right off!

Answer 10

I don't think I would feel very comfortable heating "ammonia" in my microwave, but you can take a small bowl filled w/ water and regular dish detergent and heat it and that will help ease the cleaning. Straight lemon juice works well too and it's natural, which is a plus in my book. hope this helps.