The Common Kitchen Item You Should Never Use To Clean Your Microwave

A microwave may make heating up meals super easy, but cleaning it isn't so simple. One of the hidden downsides to microwaves is that it's annoying to get in there and scrub every nook and cranny of the machine. And don't even get us started on figuring out the best ways to get rid of gross smells in your microwave!

It's understandable that you'd look for hacks or tools to make the job easier, especially considering how often you need to clean your microwave. But no matter how desperate you are, there's one common kitchen item you should never use to clean your microwave — metal utensils or other metal items. Sure, we know you're smart enough to never put tin foil in the microwave and turn it on, but metal can pose a risk even when the appliance isn't in power mode. In addition to scratching your machine, even the tiniest leftover metal particles can cause sparks when you use the microwave again.

There's a reason metal utensils are a favorite of everyone from amateur home cooks to Michelin-star chefs. They're durable and easy to clean. But they're also more prone to leave behind some scratches, especially compared to plastic or wooden utensils. Over time, too many scratches inside your microwave can compromise the integrity of the appliance, exposing its interior parts and making it more prone to rust.

Additionally, the act of scraping with metal utensils to remove grime or food bits can leave tiny residual metal scraps behind in your microwave. This also holds true with other metal cleaning materials, like steel wool. When you go to use your microwave again, the metal left behind can reflect the microwave's energy in a process called arcing. To your eye, the reflection of that piece of metal off a different part of the microwave looks like a spark of lightning bolt-like energy. Like internal scratches, too much arcing can damage the microwave.

Luckily, there are several ways to clean a microwave that don't use metal. You can steam clean your microwave naturally with just a lemon, or scrub it with baking soda or diluted vinegar. Giving it a quick wipedown with a microfiber cloth once every couple days is another way to stay on top of grime and keep your microwave in tip-top shape for years.