Day 3: December Kitchen Reset – Steam-Clean the Microwave
Today’s reset is quick, satisfying, and guaranteed to make your kitchen feel cleaner in minutes. We’re steam-cleaning the microwave — the easiest “wow, that looks better” task in the whole reset.
Steps:
- Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water + lemon slices or a splash of vinegar.
- Heat for 3–5 minutes until steamy, then let it sit (the steam loosens grime).
- Wipe the inside: walls, ceiling, turntable, corners.
- Wash the turntable in the sink if needed.
Why steam cleaning your microwave matters:
A clean microwave instantly refreshes your kitchen, eliminating lingering odors and splatter buildup. Additionally, it minimizes the risk of contaminating food.
How often should you clean your microwave?
| Usage Level | Recommended Cleaning Frequency |
|---|---|
| Daily use (meals, reheating) | Spot-clean spills immediately; full wipe/steam-clean weekly |
| Moderate use (few times a week) | Check after spills; deep clean every 1–2 weeks |
| Light use (rare reheating) | Monthly clean is usually sufficient but still wipe spills when they occur |
Quick tips for this kitchen reset tip:
- If your microwave smells funky, add baking soda to the bowl after heating and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- For stubborn gunk, dip your cloth in warm water + a drop of dish soap.
For someone doing a monthly kitchen reset (like you!), I’d recommend a weekly wipe/steam clean + an immediate spot clean whenever there’s a mess. That keeps cleaning quick and manageable with no dreaded scraping later.
