No More Messy Microwave: Try This Clever Citrus Peel Cleaning Hack

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There are few things more unappealing than opening a microwave and seeing caked-on food. While we all know how the mess got there, removing it might have you scratching your head. If you've tried scrubbing away the food debris with cleaning solutions and elbow grease to no avail, it's time for a hack that actually works: a bowl of water and grapefruit peel. Simple though it might be, this combination delivers real results for stubborn splatters.

To get started, you'll need a grapefruit, a microwave-safe bowl of water, and a cleaning rag. Peel the grapefruit and add the peel to the bowl of water, then microwave the concoction for a few minutes or until the water has begun to generate steam. Wait until the water is no longer boiling, then remove it from the microwave. You should notice that the inside of the microwave is covered with moisture from the citrusy steam bath. The final step is to go in with your damp cleaning cloth and wipe down all of the surfaces to reveal a shining appliance interior.

While microwaving grapefruit in water might make you feel like a magician as you wipe away previously impossible messes, this easy way to clean your microwave comes down to basic science. As water is heated in the microwave, it generates steam that loosens the molecular bonds of food splatter on the appliance's sides. Adding grapefruit peel to the mix takes the cleaning power up a notch, as the citrus releases d-limonene, a compound that actively cuts through greasy substances. If you have extra grapefruits sitting around, you can also use the fruit to banish soap scum.

This hack works like a charm, especially when grapefruits are in season and easy to acquire. When they aren't as readily available, however, you might feel destitute in your cleaning aspirations. Fortunately, you can flash-freeze grapefruit peels. Wash and dry several grapefruits, peel the fruit, and place the peels on a sheet of parchment paper in the freezer. Once they have frozen solid, place the peels in a marked freezer baggie so you can have access to perfectly preserved grapefruit peels all year long. When you're ready to clean your microwave later in the year, pull out a few segments of peel, plop them in a bowl of water, and you'll be ready to rock and roll. You can also use some of the peels to try Joanna Gaines' old-fashioned way to keep a home smelling fresh: a simmer pot.

If you want to clean your microwave even more thoroughly, you can give the regular steam bath a leg up with the help of white vinegar. Instead of using just water and grapefruit peels, create a mixture of water and vinegar in equal parts — plus your trusty citrus peels — to give your microwave a supercharged treatment. Remember to wait several minutes after heating the mixture before you wipe down the microwave. The extra time helps to break down food, making it easier to scrub away. In order to keep your microwave shining and mess-free, it's best to clean it at regular intervals — active families will likely benefit from weekly cleanings — but covering your dishes with a splatter guard, like this one by WVM ($6.99 on Amazon), can help, too.