Households are being urged to microwave lemons for five minutes to clean their microwaves, a trick demonstrated on This Morning. The hack uses halved or sliced lemons placed in a bowl of water and microwaved for a few minutes, after which grime should wipe away easily.
How the lemon hack works
Wait until the water is bubbling like a cauldron and leave the steam to engulf the microwave as much as possible. The wetter, the better. The lemon juice acts as a natural cleaner and deodoriser, breaking down grease and eliminating odours.
Lemons' acidic nature helps break down grease and grime, making it easier to wipe away. The citric acid in lemons is known to help cut through grime and kill bacteria. Once the timer finishes, leave the door closed for another couple of minutes so the steam builds up inside, loosening dried-on food and grease.
Expert advice and extra tips
Noah Pinsonnault, from Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, said: "It humidifies the inside of the microwave, softening stuck-on food. The fragrance from the lemon can also help to mask or get rid of odours that may be present."
After heating, wipe away the excess water with kitchen roll, noticing any mess has softened and reduced to slime. Make sure all the water is mopped up, including any stuck-on food. The glass turntable cleans up just as easily, although it can be put in the dishwasher for an extra deep clean. Lingering smells of burnt food are replaced with a fresh citrus scent.
For particularly stubborn grime, a teaspoon of baking soda can be added to the lemon water before heating. Baking soda is a mild alkali, which helps break down greasy residue without scratching surfaces.
