Now this one is simple!! Many of our clients ask us how to clean the microwave and/or get rid of smells.

Just follow the next steps!

First method using vinegar:

1. Fill a microwave safe glass or bowl half way with water with a table spoon of white vinegar and place inside the microwave. Turn on for 5 minutes. The idea here is to steam up the walls of the microwave and loosen the dried-on gunk.
2. When it is done, remove the glass container and wipe down the inside of microwave with a clean towel or paper towel.
3. The loose gunk should come off easily now, and the most important here: without chemical cleaners inside the microwave.
4. Take out the glass tray or turntable and wash it like a dish. You could even run it through the dishwasher if you have the time.

Alternative Method using lemon:

1. Cut a lemon in half and place both halves cut-side down on a mirowaveable plate with a tablespoon of water
2. Microwave for about 2 or 3 minutes or until the lemon is hot and the inside of the microwave is steamy.
3.  Leave the microwave closed for a few minutes afterward.
4. The lemon should prevent the water becoming super-heated, and leaving it undisturbed for a few minutes also helps to ensure you will not get scalded, as well as maximising the condensation which softens the dried on food spills.
5. Wipe the inside of the microwave with kitchen paper or a cleaning cloth and wash the plate as above.
6. (NB - now the lemon is hot and squishy it makes a great natural cleanser for a smelly garbage disposal, cut the halves into smaller pieces and flush through with plenty of water)

Both methods work great and are very efficient to clean as well as to get rid of unpleasant odors in your microwave.

A common mistake made by many people is to clean chrome, brass and enamel bathroom fixtures with a strong disinfectant cleaner. The best cleaner to use on these items is a neutral spray cleaner, which can be purchased at a janitorial supply house.

Showerheads need attention only when they get clogged with mineral deposits. The head must be removed from the downspout for cleaning. Place a layer of heavy cloth over the chrome of the showerhead to protect it from scratches, and gently remove it from the spout with an adjustable wrench.

Working from the side the water comes out of, poke any debris out of the holes with a wooden toothpick or needle, and rinse the entire head well with water. Using a brush or toothbrush and vinegar can also loosen sediment.

If the holes are encrusted with hard-water scale, soak the showerhead in white vinegar overnight. Dry and reassemble the next morning. Be sure to wrap plumber’s tape over the threads before screwing the showerhead back on to ensure a tighter seal.

Liquid dishwashing soap and water will remove small marks from chrome.

To remove scale from a chrome faucet or showerhead, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie the bag onto the faucet so it is submerged in the vinegar. When the scale is gone, rinse and buff.

Mix equal amounts of grapefruit juice and salt to make a cleanser to remove rust stains from faucets or showerheads, and use a washcloth to wipe off rust. The mixture provides a light acid and abrasive.

Remove a dirty ring around the base of a faucet with a damp toothbrush dipped in a soft cleanser. Just scrub around the base and wipe clean.

If using a commercial brass cleaner for the first time, read the label and test it first in a hidden area. Many cleaners leave a film on brass or gold plated hardware.

A lemon dipped in salt works well as a cleaner for brass faucets or showerheads. Just cut the lemon in half, pour a little bit of salt onto a plate, dip the lemon into it and rub it over the faucet. Buff the faucet with mineral oil when finished.

Another cleaner for brass is a paste made from equal parts vinegar, flour and salt. Rub on the fixture then buff with mineral oil.