How To: Clean a microwave oven

Microwaves are quick and easy to use, but unfortunately they don't yet clean themselves. Learn how to clean a microwave oven properly.

You Will Need:
* A clean, damp sponge
* A microwave-safe bowl
* 2 c water
* Dishwashing soap
* Water
* A damp cloth
* 2 clean, dry cloths
* And an all-purpose kitchen cleaner
* c lemon juice

Step 1: Remove spills
Use the clean, damp sponge to remove any crumbs or recent spills from the microwave.
*Tip: You can help keep your microwave clean by wiping up any spills the minute they happen with soapy water and a clean cloth or sponge.

Step 2: Fill bowl with water
Fill the microwavable bowl with two cups of water and place in the center of the oven.

Step 3: Boil water
Heat the water in the oven for three minutes, or until it boils and produces steam.
*Tip: If your microwave stinks, add half a cup of lemon juice to the water before boiling.

Step 4: Let water cool
Let the water cool and the steam loosen food particles for five minutes, then carefully remove the bowl.

Step 5: Wash tray
If your oven has a tray, remove it, wash it in soapy water, and set it aside to dry.

Step 6: Wipe inside oven
Use a damp cloth to wipe the inside of your oven.

Step 7: Return tray
Place the tray back in your oven.

Step 8: Clean outside
Spray the outside of your oven with the all-purpose kitchen spray and wipe it clean with the other damp cloth. Now you can go back to letting the oven do all the work for a while.

Fact: The power of microwaves to cook food was inadvertently discovered when a candy bar in Dr. Percy Spencer's pocket melted during radar-related research.