The microwave has been a useful appliance in the American home since about 1970, according to the American Heritage website. The American housewife adapted to the use of a microwave oven as an important addition to the kitchen by learning how to cook meat, vegetables and even desserts in a microwave. The way microwave ovens heat food, however, often causes food to splatter, which means microwaves need regular cleaning. Ordinary household products clean a microwave as well as purchased cleaning products made for kitchen use; so next time you clean your microwave, try this vinegar solution.
Mix ½ cup water and ½ cup white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, recommends Colorado State University Food Science Extension Service. Other websites recommend different proportions, but this is an easy mixture to remember.
Place the solution in your microwave and turn the microwave on "high" for 2 minutes. The vinegar water mixture will boil, but do not let it boil dry.
Leave the bowl without opening the microwave for 15 minutes. The steam from the vinegar water will soften any food particles.
Open the microwave and remove the bowl. Wipe the sides and top of the microwave oven with a sponge or dishcloth to remove all baked-on food.
Repeat once a week to keep the microwave clean and odor-free. This is an economical, safe way to clean the microwave oven.