Did you reheat that leftover curry only for it to splatter? Or maybe that chocolate mug cake spilled over? Tackling a messy microwave can be a pain — but don’t wait to clean until someone blows up an egg. (Whoops!)
Regular maintenance keeps your microwave oven in good working condition. Best of all, everything you need is already in your kitchen.
For routine cleaning, heat a microwave-safe bowl with water and some lemon juice or vinegar. The steam will loosen any dirt and make it easy to wipe off.
A clean microwave keeps your food safe and your kitchen hygienic — and lets you make that midnight snack in peace.
What Not to Do | Routine Cleaning | Deep Cleaning | Removing Burnt Smells
How Often to Clean Your Microwave
Lightly clean your microwave once a week! One of the easiest methods is steam cleaning with white vinegar or lemon juice.
Tackle any spills, messes, and food explosions immediately. The longer a food stain sits, the harder it’ll be to scrub off.
Deep clean the microwave every 2–4 weeks, from the turntable to the door.
Or you can leave the microwave cleaning — and the rest of your kitchen — to our cleaning pros over at Maid2Match!
What Not to Do When Cleaning a Microwave
Avoid using bleach-based cleaners and similar harsh chemicals. These can damage the microwave surfaces or leave a residue that gets into your food later on.
Stick to food-safe or natural cleaning solutions that are already in your kitchen.
Do not use highly abrasive cleaners, like steel wool or scratchy sponges. They can leave scratches that trap food residue and make the microwave harder to clean.
Always clean with the microwave switched off (and unplugged if you want to be cautious).
Minimise any moisture used around vents or electronic components. You don’t want to damage the appliance!
Routine Microwave Cleaning
Microwaves are quick and easy to use — plus quick and easy to clean!
Wiping this small appliance at least once a week minimises the build-up of food debris and residue inside. Each cleaning solution needs just two ingredients that are already in your kitchen.
How to clean a microwave with dish soap
One of the simplest methods to clean your microwave is with dish soap and water!
Dip a cloth into some warm, soapy water and wring it out. Wipe the inside of the microwave and the door, paying close attention to any messes.
Use a damp cloth dipped in clean water to remove any soap residue, then wipe dry.
How to clean a microwave with vinegar
For an easy and inexpensive method, you can steam clean your microwave with white vinegar.
Add 2 tbsp of vinegar to a cup of warm water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the vinegar mixture for 2–4 minutes until it starts to boil and the window steams up.
Wait about 5 minutes, then carefully take out the bowl. (Use a potholder — it’ll be hot!) Wipe the inside of the microwave with a soft sponge or microfibre cloth, including the turntable and roof.
Dry the interior afterwards.
How to clean a microwave with lemon
If you don’t like the scent of heated vinegar (we don’t blame you), lemons are just as effective for microwave cleaning!
Mix a few tablespoons of lemon juice with warm water in a microwave-safe bowl, then put it inside the machine. Run it on high power for 2–4 minutes, until the solution boils and steams up the interior.
Alternatively, if you just used a whole lemon for cooking, place the wedges in the bowl with some water.
Keep the door closed for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the bowl. Wipe all the surfaces clean with a soft cloth.
Go over the interior with a dry cloth afterwards.
How to clean a microwave with baking soda
If there are stains or stuck-on food, dip a damp cloth or sponge into a little baking soda. Gently scrub the stain until it comes off.
For more stubborn stains, you can make a thick paste with some baking soda and water, then apply a small amount with a damp sponge. Wait a few minutes before scrubbing the spot clean.
Rinse off any residue afterwards with a clean cloth dipped in water.
Use this method for spot-cleaning only — you don’t want to be wiping a lot of baking soda off your microwave surfaces. It gets messy!
How to Deep Clean a Microwave
Steam works well for light cleaning, but every once in a while, give your microwave a deeper clean.
Get into all the corners and crevices — you want to be thorough!
Inside of the microwave
Start with the same method for routine cleaning — microwave a lemon or vinegar mixture on high for a few minutes, until it boils. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes so the steam can loosen any dirt.
Carefully remove the bowl alongside the turntable and carousel, then set everything aside. Use a soft sponge or cloth with a bit of dish soap to clean the inside of the microwave.
You can also dip the sponge in a little baking soda for more scrubbing action. It’ll help remove food stains and grease residue.
Don’t forget to clean the microwave door as well! Afterwards, rinse the surfaces with a damp cloth and clean water, then wipe dry.
Glass turntable
Flatbed microwaves don’t have turntables, so if you own one, skip this step.
Otherwise, wash the turntable and carousel in the kitchen sink with hot, soapy water. Use a soft sponge to scrub the surfaces clean.
Alternatively, check the owner’s manual to see if the turntable is dishwasher-safe! Then you can load it with your next batch of dirty dishes.
Microwave exterior
Wipe the outside of the microwave clean with a clean cloth dipped in soapy water! Don’t forget the handles and control panel — although limit the moisture used around buttons and other electric components.
Rinse off any residue with a damp cloth, then dry the appliance.
You can also use a safe multi-purpose product or, for a stainless steel microwave oven, a mix of equal parts vinegar and water.
For the vents, gently clean them with a dry cloth or soft brush.
Microwave filter
Check the manual to see if your microwave has a removable filter, especially if you have an over-the-range model.
Follow the manual’s instructions for removing the filter, then wash it in some warm, soapy water. Let the filter air dry completely before putting it back.
How to Get Burnt Smell Out of a Microwave
Maybe someone burned the Friday night popcorn or heated the leftovers on the wrong setting. And that unpleasant odour can linger in the microwave for a while.
If the burnt smell isn’t too strong, you can leave a small bowl of baking soda or coffee grounds in the microwave overnight to absorb the scent.
For strong or stubborn burnt smells, squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a microwave-safe bowl, then add the wedges plus some water. Run the solution on high for 2–3 minutes.
You may need to repeat this a few more times to get rid of the burnt scent completely.
Alternatively, vanilla extract can get rid of unpleasant odours! Add a teaspoon of vanilla to some warm water in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat the solution for a minute, then let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe the microwave clean afterwards.
FAQs About Keeping a Microwave Clean
If you want to know more about microwave cleaning, we’ve got you covered!
What are tips for keeping a microwave clean?
Use microwave-safe covers, such as flat silicone lids or vented lids. These prevent food from splattering or creating a huge mess.
You can also place a paper towel over a container when heating your food.
Just make sure not to completely seal any container, since it could crack or explode!
Wipe the microwave’s interior at least once a day to lessen the build-up of grease and grime. And of course, clean up any messes immediately!
What is the easiest way to clean a very dirty microwave?
For a very stained or dirty microwave, it’s easiest to clean with Dawn PowerWash.
This cleaning spray cuts through all sorts of food stains, and it’s easy to apply even on the interior walls or the top of the microwave. Make sure to use a small amount, though, or it can take a while to wipe off.
Is it better to clean the microwave with lemon or vinegar?
Both lemons and vinegar work well to clean the microwave!
The only difference is the scent — lemon has a more pleasant scent when heated, while vinegar can be stronger and more pungent.
