How to Clean a Microwave

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: September 7, 2024 Approved

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You probably don't give a lot of thought to your microwave until it's time to clean it. If your machine is dusty, the inside is splattered with food, or you notice your food isn't heating as quickly, then it's time to clean! Scrub the inside of your microwave with your favorite cleaning product, such as lemon, baking soda, or vinegar, and polish the outside. Your machine will be more efficient and look like new.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Loosening Grime with a Steaming Solution

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1
Create a steaming solution with water and citrus or vinegar. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, you can add 2 to 3 citrus slices or 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vinegar to the water. If your microwave is really dirty, consider adding both the citrus and the vinegar.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 20 April 2020.}
- You can use any type of vinegar, such as plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Try adding slices of lemon, orange, or lime.
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, so stir it into the water before you microwave the solution. The baking soda will absorb the smells as the water heats.

Tip: If you'd like to remove undesirable smells from the microwave while making your machine smell better, you can also add 2 to 3 slices of citrus with the water and baking soda before you microwave it.

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3
Put a wooden skewer into the bowl. If you're going to heat the water in a perfectly smooth bowl, the microwave can superheat the liquid and cause the bowl to burst. To prevent the liquid from superheating, add a wooden skewer or wooden spoon to the bowl.^{[2]
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- Avoid putting a metal skewer or spoon into the bowl since it can overheat and scorch your microwave.
Place the bowl with the skewer on the microwave's turntable and close the door. Microwave the solution for 5 minutes so the water begins to boil and create steam.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 20 April 2020.}
If you open the microwave immediately, the steam will escape and your cleaning solution will be incredibly hot. Instead, wait 5 minutes before you open the door.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 20 April 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Scrubbing the Inside of the Microwave

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1
Remove the solution and turntable before washing it with soapy water. Take out the bowl of solution and lift the turntable off of its track. Remove the turntable and wash both sides of it with soapy water. Put the clean turntable on the counter while you clean the inside of the microwave.^{[5]
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- If the bowl is still hot after 5 minutes, wear oven mitts to remove it.
- If the turntable is really greasy or has burnt-on stains, you could soak it in a sink full of soapy water while you clean the inside of the microwave.
Since food often splatters in every direction, you'll need to spend some time wiping down every interior surface. Dip a sponge or cloth into the cleaning solution you made earlier and use it to wipe away all of the grease and food remnants.^{[6]
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Tip: If the door is greasy, you could spray the inner glass door with grease-cutting product before scrubbing it.
Once you've scrubbed the inside of the machine, take a dry cloth or paper towel and wipe each wall inside the microwave. You should also wipe the top and bottom of the machine until the entire interior is dry.^{[7]
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Place the clean turntable in the bottom of the machine so it rests on its tracks. If it's not on the tracks, the turntable will appear tilted or it may not rotate properly when the machine is on.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Removing Stubborn Stains

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1
Rub away grease stains using a baking soda paste. Mix together enough baking soda and water to make a spreadable paste. Then, rub the paste with a cloth over the greasy areas before you wipe it away with a wet cloth.^{[8]
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- If there's a lot of grease, consider spraying the inside with a grease-cutting product.
2
Wipe away yellow stains with nail polish remover. If you have an older microwave, it's probably got yellow stains from years of use but these are easy to remove with a little nail polish. Dip a cotton ball in acetone nail polish remover and rub the yellow stains until they lift.
- To remove the harsh acetone smell, wipe the microwave down with a damp cloth.
3
Scrub scorch marks with a sponge soaked with vinegar and baking soda. All it takes is burning 1 bag of popcorn and your microwave will be left with scorch marks. Fortunately, you can usually scrub these away by soaking a sponge in vinegar and sprinkling an even layer of baking soda over it. Rub the rougher side of the sponge over the marks until they're removed.
- You can also try lifting the stains by rubbing a cotton ball soaked in acetone over them.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Polishing the Outside

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1
Dip a cloth into soapy water and wring it out. Fill a bowl or the sink with warm soapy water and drop a dishcloth into it. Swish the cloth around so it absorbs the soapy water. Then, wring most of the soapy water out of the cloth.^{[9]
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- You can use liquid dishwashing soap to make the soapy water.
2
Use the cloth to wipe the top, sides, and display panel. Take everything off of the top of your microwave so you can easily clean the top with the soapy cloth. Then, rub it over the sides of the machine. You'll probably have to spend a little extra time on the display panel since this can become sticky with a lot of use.^{[10]
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- You'll also need to wipe around the handle, which can be grimy.
3
Wipe a clean damp cloth over the microwave to rinse off the soap. Run a new cloth under hot or warm tap water and wring it out. Use the wet cloth to wipe off the entire microwave.^{[11]
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- Removing the soap will prevent it from drying on the machine and leaving a residue.
4
Use commercial disinfectant if your microwave is very dirty. Simple soapy water should be enough to clean the exterior of your microwave, but you can use disinfectant cleanser if the machine is really dirty. Instead of spraying deep-cleaning products directly on the outside of the microwave, you should spray them onto a cloth and then wipe it over the exterior.^{[12]
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- If you spray the exterior of the machine, it could get into the microwave's venting system and damage it.
Take a lint-free cloth and wipe it over the top and sides of the microwave. Keep wiping until your machine is completely dry.^{[13]
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Tip: For an extra-polished look, spray glass cleaner onto a clean cloth and wipe it over the microwave's window.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I get a burnt smell out of my microwave? Someone overcooked something and it still smells.

Community Answer

Try using a combination of water and baking soda (a cup water on top of two tablespoons of baking soda). Microwave on high for two minutes. Wipe afterwards with a clean cloth or sponge. Deodorize with one teaspoon lemon juice in a microwavable bowl of one cup of water. Microwave two minutes on high. Wipe it down and leave the door open for a few minutes.

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Can I use apple vinegar to clean the microwave?

Community Answer

Apple cider vinegar would be fine. It will react the same as white vinegar in this case.

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Question

Do I need a microwave?

Community Answer

No, microwaves are conveinences, not necessities, but you do need a microwave to clean one.

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Tips

Leave the microwave door open for a few minutes after you clean it in order to let it air dry.

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Try to clean the inside of your microwave frequently so tough stains don't build up.

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If a lot of crumbs have accumulated in the bottom of the microwave, brush them away before you start to scrub the inside of the machine.

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Warnings

Avoid using abrasive cleaners, such as ammonia or bleach, and don't use oven cleaners or steel wool on your microwave.

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