How To Clean The Microwave (4 Effective Ways)

How to Clean a Microwave Inside and Out

With all the food products you can efficiently heat inside a microwave, it’s no surprise that grease and grime can build up quickly. The good news is cleaning a microwave is easier than it looks, and you probably already have everything you need in the kitchen. This guide covers the easiest way to clean the inside of a microwave, plus how to tackle the outside, stuck-on food and lingering odours.

A dirty microwave doesn’t just look unsightly, leftover food particles can harbour bacteria, and when reheated these can transfer back into your food. Grease and food build-up can also affect how well your microwave runs over time, so regular cleaning helps protect the appliance as well as your health.

What You’ll Need

• A microwave-safe bowl or mug
• Water
• White vinegar or lemon juice
• Dish soap
• A sponge or microfibre cloth
• A soft-bristle toothbrush or scrub brush
• Paper towels or a dry microfibre cloth

How to Clean the Inside of a Microwave

The easiest way: steam cleaning with vinegar or lemon

Steam cleaning is the easiest way to clean the inside of a microwave, since it loosens grease and food splatters without any hard scrubbing.

1. Fill a microwave-safe bowl or mug with water and add either two tablespoons of white vinegar, or the juice of one lemon plus the lemon halves.
2. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for around 3 minutes, until you see steam.
3. Leave the door closed for another minute so the steam can keep softening any hardened food.
4. Carefully remove the bowl (it will be hot), then remove the turntable and the plastic ring underneath it.
5. Wipe down the interior walls, ceiling and floor with a sponge or microfibre cloth. For stubborn spots, dip your sponge back in the vinegar or lemon solution, or use a soft-bristle toothbrush to get into corners and around the door seal.
6. Wash the turntable and plastic ring separately in warm, soapy water like you would a dish, then rinse and dry before putting them back.

Don’t forget the inside of the door too, this is where food splatters often go unnoticed, and it can block your view of what’s cooking inside.

Dish soap method

If you’d rather skip the steam step, dish soap works well too. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a squirt of dish soap, microwave for around a minute or until you see steam, then let it cool before wiping the inside with a sponge or damp cloth. This loosens grime with a fraction of the scrubbing you’d otherwise need.

Removing stuck-on food with baking soda

Food splatters can be stubborn, especially if they’ve been left to dry. Mix equal parts baking soda and warm water into a paste, apply it to any stuck-on food on the interior or door, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe away with a wet sponge or paper towel. Repeat on tougher stains until clean.

Getting rid of microwave odours

Burnt popcorn and other strong smells can linger long after the mess is gone. For light odours, leave the microwave door open to air it out, or place an open bowl of baking soda inside overnight to absorb the smell. For stronger odours, clean any leftover residue first using the methods above, then leave an odour-absorbing gel inside until you next use the microwave.

How to Clean the Outside of a Microwave

Once the inside is done, give the outside the same attention. Use a damp cloth or sponge with a little dish soap to wipe down the exterior, paying particular attention to the handle, buttons and door frame, these get grimy fast, especially if you’re opening the microwave with food-covered hands. For digital displays and buttons, dampen your cloth only lightly and avoid getting water into any openings, so you don’t damage the electronics.

Tips to Keep Your Microwave Clean for Longer

• Cover your food with a microwave-safe cover while heating, to stop splatters landing on the walls and ceiling in the first place.
• Wipe up spills as soon as they happen, rather than letting them dry and harden.
• Give it a quick steam even when it doesn’t look dirty. A weekly steam with plain water keeps grime from building up and makes deep cleans faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to clean a dirty microwave?

Steaming a vinegar or lemon solution in the microwave for a few minutes is the fastest way to loosen grease and grime, so all that’s left is a quick wipe down rather than heavy scrubbing.

How do you clean a microwave door?

Wipe the inside and outside of the door with a cloth and a mix of equal parts water and vinegar. Pay attention to the inner door, splatters here are easy to miss but can block your view of the food.

How often should I clean a microwave?

Wipe up spills daily so they don’t get the chance to harden, and do a full steam clean weekly to stay on top of grease and odours. If you notice stains building up, clean them off as soon as you can rather than waiting for your next scheduled clean.

Save precious time and leave it to the professionals!

Even with this guide, it might feel like there simply isn’t enough time to regularly clean your microwave and keep on top of any other messes and grime build-up around the house.

At Absolute Domestics, we’ve got all your microwave cleaning needs covered. Book a regular clean to help you keep up with the chores, or a one-off clean if your microwave or other kitchen appliances need a deeper reset.

Book now, and one of our trusted and skilled cleaners will come to your home and give you a professional-grade clean that will leave your microwave shining and take care of those other cleaning tasks that sneak up on you.