Your microwave is not just helpful in defrosting your dinner. You can do a lot more with it – disinfecting sponges, peeling garlic, improving plant growth, and much more.
Ways of Using Microwave
Here is a list of 13 inventive ways of using microwave you probably never know:
1. Saving Stamps
Did you mess up the address on the envelope and want to reuse the stamps? Just put a drop of water on the stamp and place it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. It will come off with utmost ease.
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2. Peeling Garlic
Peeling garlic bulbs is one of the most difficult tasks. Put the bulbs in the microwave for just 15 seconds and its skin will come off like anything. It is the moisture in the garlic that steams up and the link between the skin and clove breaks.
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3. Grow your Plants Faster
Bagged soil usually comes pre-sterilized. The moment you open them pathogens enter it and the new blooms could die. There’s no need to wait for the sun to destroy those harmful bacteria. Just sterilize the soil used in the potted plants in your microwave.
All you have to do is fill up a container with some soil and microwave it. Avoid a plastic container and microwave for 1 minute per pound of soil.
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4. Disinfect your Dish Sponges
Do you know that the dish sponge in your kitchen is the most hazardous thing in your home? It’s loaded with more disease-causing bacteria than anything else (as per the USDA). Microwave your sponge for 1 minute once a week and you will kill 99.9% of the germs and 99.8% of salmonella and E.coli.
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5. Build your Own Heating Pad
Do you have an aching back that needs a heating pad to soothe the pain? Fill out the foot of a clean and old tube sock with rice. Tie its mouth and place in microwave for half a minute. Microwave it again until it reaches the desired temperature.
It will make the perfect heating pad and you can use this pad every time you have pain.
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6. Save Stale Bread
Did you leave the bread/bagel bag open? Don’t worry. Wrap the loaves in a paper towel (moisten the towel slightly) and microwave it for sessions of 20 seconds. The moisture will move into the bread and refresh its taste.
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7. Fruits – Easier Juicing
If you want to ease juicing, place the uncut orange/lemon in the microwave for 10 seconds. It will help in loosening the fibers, which further eases juicing.
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8. Faster Toasting of Nuts
If you want to enjoy some toasted nuts, place a handful of them in the microwave. Make sure they are placed in a microwave safe bowl and tossed with some oil. Microwave for 1 minute session and keep stirring.
The duration of cooking will depend on the kind of nut. On an average it takes just around 5 minutes. You can also use this method for sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
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9. De-Clumping Brown Sugar
Brown sugar can often get too hard. Use this method to de-clump it. Take a paper towel and moisten it. Leave it in the sugar bag and microwave for 20-30 seconds. It will move the moisture to the sugar and it will become easier to use.
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10. Self Cleaning
Does your microwave look dirty? Take a microwave safe bowl and put some vinegar into it. Leave it in the microwave for 2 minutes. It will create steam and will make it easier to wipe away the grime.
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11. Faster Bread Making
Do you want to make your own bread or pizza crust? The same yeast dough that takes hours to rise can be proofed with microwave in just 15 minutes.
Just put 8-oz. cup water at the back of the microwave. Take a microwave-safe bowl and place the dough in it. Microwave it for 3 minutes on lowest power. Heat for another 3 minutes and leave it for 6 minutes. The dough would be double in size and you can now bake it.
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12. Melt Crystallized Honey
Honey can often turn into crystals when left for some time. You can microwave it (without lid) in increments of 30-40 seconds until it gets its smooth texture. Avoid using any kind of plastic containers.
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13. Faster Vegetable Peeling
It can be difficult to peel root veggies and squashes with thick skin. You can speed up the process by microwaving the vegetable for 2-3 minutes (low heat). The skin will become easier to peel and cut. Care should be taken when removing the vegetable from the microwave.
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Source: Reader’s Digest