Are you curious how to clean a microwave? Whether you’ve had breakfast for dinner or need to zap something super-quick, eating out of a messy microwave can feel gross. Splatters happen fast, but once they’re dry, they stick around until you remember to tackle them. Luckily, your microwave doesn’t need elbow grease or specialty products to get clean.
Why You Should Regularly Clean Your Microwave
Your microwave gets dirty quickly. As food heats up, sauce splatters, grease explodes, and steam vapors rise to the walls. If you let them there, those splatters will smell and become more difficult to remove. Regular cleaning keeps your microwave sanitary and makes cooking more enjoyable.
Dirty walls and ceilings can also impact performance. Residue traps heat, causing smells and making the appliance appear older. Clean microwaves prevent a small mess from turning into weeks of build-up that feels like a large project to clean.
How to clean a microwave? Gather Your Supplies
To clean your microwave quickly, grab two items you probably already have. This way, you’ll never have to push off wiping down the walls again. All you need is:
- A microwave-safe bowl.
- Water.
- Vinegar or lemon juice.
- A sponge or microfiber cloth.
- Mild dish soap.
- A dry towel.
These supplies remove dried food and wipe away residue without scratching or harming the interior. Once you have everything, the cleaning process is quick, and it really isn’t considered cleaning at all. It’s more like a reset.
Quick Cleaning Steps
Fill the bowl halfway with water. Add either vinegar or lemon juice, and place it in the microwave. Heat for two to three minutes or until you see lots of steam rolling down the sides of the bowl.
Allow it to sit with the door closed for one minute. The steam helps loosen debris that’s stuck to the walls. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be hot). Wipe down the walls, ceiling, turntable, and door with your sponge or cloth. Use long smooth strokes.
If there are still stubborn spots, dip your sponge or cloth into a mixture of warm water and soap. Wipe surfaces down again. Use a towel to dry the inside of the microwave. You don’t want excess moisture hanging around.
How to clean a microwave? Gather Your Supplies? The Magic of Steam Cleaning
Steam magically melts away cooked-on splatters. It fills the microwave with water vapor, helping loosen food particles and grease. Removing stuck-on debris takes half of the time and energy normally required.
Steam also helps eliminate odors while you clean. Vinegar removes smells, while lemon leaves a fresh scent behind. You can even use this same method without vinegar or lemon if your microwave isn’t smelling wonderful.
Boiling water fills your microwave with steam. All that steam lifts up the stuck-on mess from the walls. It’s an easy, natural solution to keep your microwave clean and odor-free.
Preventing Build up
Cleaning your microwave daily isn’t realistic. However, there are some simple steps you can take to lessen the build-up of splatters:
- Place a lid or microwave-safe cover on your food. If you don’t have one, cover your food with a paper towel.
- Wipe splatters as soon as you see them.
- When reheating soups and sauces, stir first.
- Heat foods in 30-second intervals. This prevents boil-overs.
- Crack the door after use. Allow it to air out.
- Clean the turntable immediately.
Taking care of small messes when they happen helps prevent your microwave from getting too dirty. You’ll thank yourself later when wiping down your microwave only takes a minute or two.
How to clean a microwave? Tips for What to Avoid
Some things simply shouldn’t be used to clean your microwave. Harsh abrasives can scratch the interior walls. Metal utensils can harm your microwave, so never use them to scrape off stuck-on food.
You should avoid using bleach or abrasive cleaners whenever possible. If the manufacturer doesn’t recommend using a particular cleaner, it’s best to avoid it. Unless it’s marked microwave-safe, don’t use it. Strong smells from cleaners can linger inside the microwave and transfer to your food.
Stubborn Stains and Spots
If you have an old stain that just won’t budge, try steaming it again. Let the microwave run for an additional minute. Once the time is up, gently wipe away the stain. You can repeat this step until the stain is gone.
Here’s a quick comparative table with additional facts and tips to handle stubborn stains in your microwave.
| Method | Tools Needed | Time Required | Effectiveness |
| Steam Repetition | Microwave, Water, Lemon/Vinegar | 1-2 minutes | High |
| Cotton Swab | Cotton Swab, Warm Soapy Water | 2-3 minutes | Moderate |
| Gentle Scrubbing | Sponge/Cloth, Warm Soapy Water | 3-5 minutes | Low to Moderate |
| Commercial Cleaners | Microwave-Safe Cleaner, Cloth | Varies | High (if compatible) |
These techniques make it easier to tackle stubborn spots, so you can maintain a sparkling clean microwave.
No need to scrub! For tough spots around the vents and corners, try using a cotton swab dipped in warm soapy water. They help you get into smaller spaces without saturating any one area.
Maintaining Your Microwave
You wouldn’t let your sink fill up with dirty dishes, would you? Think of your microwave the same way. Once you get into a routine of cleaning your microwave, you’ll begin to see how easy it is to maintain. Not only will you spend less time cleaning, but your microwave will look good, too.
Microwave cleaning should be part of your weekly routine. Whether you clean it every time you wipe down your countertops or sort through your fridge, finding a rhythm helps. Before you know it, wiping down your microwave will become second nature.
