Cleaning your microwave isn't difficult, but it's a hassle often put off until the appliance has gotten gross from enough accumulations of splattered gunk, grime or grease to rival a Pollock painting. After letting the oatmeal eruption or the spaghetti sauce spatter sit through a couple of heating cycles, dish soap doesn't stand a chance - the spots and smears turn rock hard and seem impossible to remove.

Another potential challenge is finding a cleaning product that thoroughly cleans the mess without leaving dangerous chemicals behind. Some highly recommended natural cleaners, like water and vinegar and or lemon juice, lack the surfactants needed to help penetrate, loosen, and trap soils, meaning you're pushing dirt around instead of actually cleaning. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner's formula powers out grime, cuts through grease and oil, and removes difficult stains without bleach.

To keep your microwave working better longer, make a practice of wiping down the inside with a sponge or cloth after each use. Deep clean the appliance (including the microwave door) once every few weeks following the directions below.

Directions For Cleaning a Microwave:

1. Steam: Soak a clean sponge with fresh water. Place it a microwave-safe bowl inside and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Be sure the sponge is as saturated as possible. The steam created by heating the sponge will soften and loosen caked-on grime. After the 2 minutes, let the sponge sit in the microwave for a couple more minutes until the warm water is cool enough to handle. Carefully remove the bowl and rinse the sponge. Squeeze out some of the water in the sponge.
2. Wash the removable tray and rotating rack: Remove the inside tray and, if possible, the rotating rack it sits on. Thoroughly spray the same sponge you used in Step 1 with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Wash as you would normally, rinse, and allow the pieces to dry.
3. Clean the inside of the microwave: Generously spray Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner onto the sponge and wipe down the entire inside. Follow up with a clean, damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth or paper towels, or let air dry.
4. Clean the outside of the microwave: Repeat the process from Step 3.
5. Replace the removable pieces: Place the clean, dry rack and tray back in the microwave.
6. Air dry: Leave the door open for a an hour after you finish cleaning to allow the inside to dry completely.