How to clean a microwave – easy ways to get it spotless with vinegar, lemon and more

The key to keeping a clean microwave is regular maintenance – every week, at the very least. When you notice splatters on your microwave's interior, grease stains and fingerprints on the controls or stuck-on food, turn to this essential guide on how to clean a microwave.

Microwaves make preparing a whole host of favorite foods as well as tasty leftovers easy, but spills and splatters happen, so knowing how to clean a microwave easily is valuable. As well as satisfying the demands of good hygiene when cleaning a kitchen, cleaning a microwave properly is a task that will banish lingering and unpleasant odors, while getting rid of food debris also ensures the interior of the appliance will remain in good condition.

Here, we look at the ways to clean a microwave, including using pantry ingredients, and the experts weigh in with their tried and tested methods.

How to clean a microwave

Effectively getting rid of food debris, grease, and spatters are why it’s important to know how to clean a microwave. But they’re all simple to deal with if you are aware of the right techniques, and these are the details.

1. Clean the microwave turntable

If your microwave has a turntable, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove it and wash using a mild soap. You might be able to put it in the dishwasher, but check the manual before doing so.

If there are any difficult-to-remove deposits, use a non-abrasive pad to tackle them. 

2. Clean the microwave interior

If you’ve been asking how to clean a microwave, you may be pleased to hear that cleaning its interior is easier than doing the same for the oven because spills and splatters do not bake on to interior surfaces in the same way. Therefore, wiping down with a soft cloth and warm water can freshen the interior of a microwave.

If there is residue that’s a little stubborn, cleaning the interior can still be straightforward. ‘Use a wet cloth and warm water and soap to wipe away the food residue and grease,’ says cleaning expert at Maids.com Jessica Samson. Use hot water to wipe down afterwards. 

3. Clean the exterior of the microwave

Getting in the know about how to clean a microwave also means being aware of the way to clean the exterior.

Just as when cleaning a dishwasher, mild soap and water are sufficient for the exterior; apply the solution with a soft cloth. Rinse with a damp soft cloth, then dry with another soft cloth. The window can be wiped with a damp cloth.

Wipe the control panel with a damp soft cloth, too, but make sure you dry it straightaway. 

4. Prevent tougher cleaning jobs

While you might be savvy about how to clean a microwave, it’s always worth adopting techniques that mean there’s less cleaning to do in the first place. 

’The best way to deal with spills is to prevent them, so try putting a microwave cover over your dishes,’ recommends Molly Maid president Vera Peterson.

How to clean a microwave with a cup of water

Simply filling a microwave-friendly cup (or bowl) with water then 'cooking' it on high for five minutes, leaving it to stand with the door closed and power off for 15 minutes, then removing it carefully and wiping out the microwave with a microfiber cloth can go a long way to allowing you to clean a microwave thoroughly without the need for elbow grease. You can make this approach even more effective by adding vinegar or lemon juice to the water.

How to clean a microwave with vinegar

An alternative if there’s dried-on food or grease is to use vinegar. ‘In a microwave safe bowl, add 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of white vinegar,’ says Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, president of expert cleaning company ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba. ‘Set the bowl in your microwave and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Once this is done, wait a minute or two and then wipe the inside of the microwave clean with a microfiber cloth.’

How to clean a microwave with baking soda

Cleaning with baking soda is an alternative for a microwave with more soiling. ‘Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to 4 cups of water,’ advises Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match. ‘Make sure you mix it well so the baking soda is completely dissolved. Dip a cloth in the mixture and wipe the inside of the microwave, making sure to get every nook and cranny.’ Rinse thoroughly using a cloth dampened with hot water.

How to clean a microwave with lemon

The easiest way get burnt-on food off of the inside of a microwave is to steam clean with lemon juice.

'Steam is an excellent cleaning method for microwave ovens because it eliminates the need for any chemicals,' says Sabrine Fierman, of high-end cleaning firm New York's Little Elves. 'It also does all the hard work for you, penetrating and loosening the food residue.' 

Simply fill a microwave safe bowl with a cup of water, add sliced lemon or two to three tablespoons of lemon juice, and cook on high for five minutes. Leave the door shut, the microwave powered off, and let the steam work its magic for a further 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove the bowl and wipe all the surfaces; the circulating plate can be hand washed in the sink or most often run through the dishwasher.

How to clean a burnt microwave

The best way to clean a burnt microwave is to first take out any removeable parts and put them in the dishwasher. Then, use a damp cloth to remove any debris. That done, clean the inside of the microwave using white vinegar. In a microwave safe bowl, add 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of white vinegar, then 'cook' on high for 5 minutes. This done, wait a minute or two and then wipe the inside of the microwave clean with a microfiber cloth. This should remove the burning smell, and the smell of the vinegar will dissipate quickly.

What to clean a microwave with

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