HOUSTON – Your microwave can get really messy. The longer you wait to tackle those caked-on, crusted-on messes, the harder it will be to get it clean.
Consumer expert Amy Davis is trying a product that claims to cut through the crud with a little fun. The Angry Mama microwave cleaner steams the hardened spots, emitting steam from her head, hence her name.
Investigative reporter Robert Arnold sacrificed his microwave to help Davis with the Angry Mama test. He microwaved an uncovered bowl of spaghetti sauce and then a Hot Pocket to really make a mess. He let it all set overnight. The makers of Angry Mama say it's nothing she can't fix.
"Inside a powerful non-toxic steam blasts every surface to quickly clean, disinfect and deodorize," the commercial claims.
Robert followed the instructions, pouring vinegar, water and lemon juice into the contraption. He put it in the microwave for 7 minutes. Afterwards, he used a wet kitchen towel to try to wipe away the mess; but some spots were still too tough.
"Some things did wipe off fairly easy, but some things didn't... especially that glass turntable," Robert said.
"That's going take a lot of elbow grease and some extra cleaner to get that mess cleaned up there."
Angry Mama costs $9.88 at Walmart; but she didn't prove her worth to Robert.
"Honestly I don't think she did anything really more than you can do for yourself with a bowl of water and vinegar," he said. “I wouldn't spend the money on this. It didn't really do a whole lot."
