I tried two methods to clean my microwave in '5 minutes' - there was 1 clear winner

There's nothing I hate more than false advertising and clickbait, especially on social media, but when it comes to cleaning my home, anything is welcome. If you've seen my articles before, then you may know that I have a big family (nine people in one home, to be exact) and that comes with double the food and double the appliances. We currently own two microwaves, and they're a headache to clean.

Sometimes, I feel iffy about using chemicals to clean them. In my dramatic frame of mind, I'm always worried I'm slowly poisoning my family. So, with an algorithm full of microwave hacks, I decided to test out two techniques that promise clean results in just five minutes - but there's one clear winner worth everyone's time.

1. Lemons

Lemons seem like a popular choice for cleaning your microwave. It is said to be quick, cost-efficient, and highly recommended by home experts. Even in recent months, ITV's This Morning has shown its viewers this simple hack.

To begin, fill a bowl with water, add the lemon halves, and make sure they're submerged. Microwave on high for three (or up to five) minutes, then leave the door closed for two (or three) minutes. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe down the interior, including the roof.

The results

It worked... sort of. When I wiped the surfaces with a damp cloth, the stains around the microwave were removed seamlessly, but the tougher stains on the roof did not budge. Lemons are also said to act as a deodoriser, but the microwave still smelt of built-up food and was not fresh at all.

To combat this, I ran the microwave for an extra three minutes with lemon added, but I could smell the porridge my nephew had made an hour before. I also attempted to rub the roof harder, but it made no difference.

This hack is great if you're looking to save some money and hate chemical cleaners, but it's a lot more effort than I thought for an okay result.

2. Baking Soda

Another popular hack involves placing baking soda in a bowl of water. According to Oven Cleaning, simply combine one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water and stir to dissolve the baking soda.

Microwave the solution in a bowl on high for three minutes to create steam that loosens food and grime. Let it sit for two minutes with the door closed, then wipe the interior with a damp sponge or cloth. The baking soda helps lift grease and stains for easier cleaning.

The results

I tested this hack out on my older and dirtier microwave. I think this worked the best. Not only did the microwave become spotless after one wipe with a damp cloth, but the previous strong odour seemed to decrease.

The cleaning experts suggested that "if there are lingering odours in the microwave, you can place a bowl of dry baking soda inside it (while it's turned off) to absorb any remaining smells."

If I had to pick a winner, baking soda would definitely be the best option. However, for quickness, I might just stick to my usual Kitchen cleaner...