I Tried Good Housekeeping’s Favorite $7 “Small but Mighty” Microwave Cleaner, and I’ll Never Go Back
If you’ve yet to hop on the AngryMama bandwagon, this funny little woman has been piquing the interests of kitchen enthusiasts for the last few years with her fast-acting cleaning capabilities. A recurring face on the #CleanTok corner of TikTok (exhibit A!) and a top pick in Good Housekeeping’s roundup of 50 Best Kitchen Gadgets to Buy in 2024, she’s upheld her reputation as a no-nonsense, dependable microwave cleaner. One Amazon review even claims AngryMama is the “greatest thing since sliced bread.” Yes, really! I wanted to see if this silly “As-Seen-on-TV” product was really worth owning for myself.
Asltw Angry Mom Microwave Oven Steam Cleaner
I ordered the AngryMama from Amazon for $7.99 (it’s now on sale for $6.99 and even $5.99 here!), opting for a purple base with yellow hair over three other options: red hair with a blue shirt, purple hair with a green shirt, and brown hair with a yellow shirt. In a truly experimental fashion, I committed a microwave faux pas and heated uncovered tomato sauce to add extra splatter to my mostly clean microwave. I waited a few hours to address the red explosion, and then got to preparing AngryMama for a much-needed cleanup. The instructions were neatly laid out on the box in seven simple steps.
First, I removed AngryMama’s hair and face (as instructed) and then added measurements of white vinegar, water, and lemon juice (optional!) up to the labeled lines on her dress. I found the purple dress difficult to see through, so I recommend pouring the liquids carefully under good lighting. Once the contents were in and AngryMama’s head was reassembled, I popped her into the middle of the microwave, where she rotated and steamed for seven minutes on high. Per the instructions, I waited two additional minutes so the moisture could settle in on the walls.
With a damp, scrubby sponge and a little elbow grease, the majority of splash stains wiped away easily. I used a microfiber towel to dry the space and found that I was able to better remove the rest of the smaller, more stubborn bits that way. If you don’t feel like going to town with a sponge or are met with super-stubborn food residue, I think another refill and go-around would do the trick.
About five inches tall, around the size of a salt or pepper shaker, AngryMama is the epitome of small but mighty. As fun as it was to watch the steam come hurling out of her head, microwaving a bowl of water and vinegar (or a drop of dish soap) can also get the job done for a thoroughly cleaned microwave — although there’s definitely a certain novelty to whipping out a disapproving mom with an attitude-ridden face. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe and easy to store in a drawer or cupboard.
At a reasonable price, AngryMama is a funny gift idea — especially for those who have fun with cleaning, or need a little entertainment to get the job done (looking at you, college students). In addition to Amazon, you can find AngryMama at Walmart and Sur la Table. She also has an equally irritated friend, the CoolMama, who regulates fridge and freezer odors with just a little bit of baking soda.
Buy: AngryMama Microwave Oven Steam Cleaner, $6.99
