All over the internet, you will find people touting the best and most effective methods for how to clean the microwave. They share tons of great tips and hacks, some just unique variations of the same ideas that promise to yield a sparkling clean microwave.
So what is the best way to clean a microwave?
It is really going to depend on the level or intensity, if you will, of the crusty gunk and grime going on in your microwave. Strong odors and smells are other common complaints when it comes to cleaning microwaves, so the method you choose to clean will need to have some deodorizing effects to restore things to order. The good news is that all of the methods I list below are all-natural. The natural products work well, so there isn’t really a need to use harsh chemicals.
It’s easy to forget about the mess in the microwave, and it is often an appliance that gets neglected in a busy household. Things get especially messy when food isn’t covered while it’s heating and splatters everywhere. I have two boys who do this regularly, so I had to have a quick, easy, and effective way to deep clean the inside of my microwave.
In a perfect world, we would do all the preventative stuff like covering the food and wipe down the microwave after every use. Kudos to all of you out there that can do that. The fact is that, at least for our family, we don’t live in a perfect world where all things go to plan. We can’t control the other members of our house at all times, and I certainly don’t micromanage the use of the microwave…there are much more important things to focus on in life.
If you are here, chances are you have a messy microwave that needs a good cleaning. No shame in that. I’m here to help.
Steam Clean Your Microwave With Water
Steam will cut through that crusty mess and soften it up so that it can be easily wiped away. Here are a couple of ways to use steam to clean your microwave.
Method 1: Bowl of Water
Add 1/2 of water to a microwave-safe container and add a non-metal object to the container. Microwave the water for 2 minutes. When the time is up, don’t open the door right away. Allow the water to steam up the inside of the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Open it up, and wipe down everything with a cloth or paper towel.
SAFETY FIRST:
Superheating: Avoid superheating by adding a non-metal object such as a wooden spoon, kabob skewer, stir-stick, toothpicks, etc. to the container to avoid superheating the water which is dangerous and could lead to injury.
Burns: Use caution when heating glass or other containers that retain heat. Ensure that the container is either cool enough to handle with bare hands or use a hot pad to remove the container from the microwave.
Method 2: Wet Paper Towel
Wet a paper towel and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds – 1 minute. When time is up, let the steam from the water work for 3 minutes. Open the microwave and use the wet, warm paper towel to wipe down the inside of the microwave.
Variations – A cloth or sponge can be used in place of the paper towel.
How to Clean Your Microwave With Vinegar
Sometimes you need a bit of deodorizing power to clean your smelly microwave. Vinegar is up for the task as it cleans and deodorizes, making it the perfect choice for this job. The only possible disqualifier is the fumes that it produces, as they can be fairly intense. Don’t worry. We have more ideas below if cleaning your microwave with vinegar is out of the question.
Method 3: Steam and Deodorize with Vinegar
Add a 1:1 ratio of water and vinegar to a microwave-safe container along with a wooden spoon or another non-metal object. Heat the liquid for 2-4 minutes then let sit inside the microwave for 2-3 minutes to steam before opening the door. After the steam has had time to penetrate the gunk and deodorize, use a cloth or sponge to wipe down everything.
SAFETY FIRST:
Superheating: Avoid superheating by adding a non-metal object such as a wooden spoon, kabob skewer, stir-stick, toothpicks, etc. to the container to avoid superheating the water which is dangerous and could lead to injury.
Burns: Use caution when heating glass or other containers that retain heat. Ensure that the container is either cool enough to handle with bare hands or use a hot pad to remove the container from the microwave.
Fumes: Vinegar is already pungent, and heating it makes the fumes worse. If you are sensitive to fumes, I would recommend using another method.
Method 4: Vinegar Spray for Maintenance
Add some water and vinegar to a spray bottle (you can use essential oils in this as well) and use it to spray and wipe down the inside of your microwave on a regular basis to keep it clean and odor-free.
Get a Clean Microwave with Lemon
Lemon, whether fresh or bottled lemon juice, deodorizes and leaves your microwave sparkling clean and smelling wonderful. If you don’t like using vinegar, lemon is a great alternative to use to clean your microwave.
Method 5: Steam with Lemon Juice and Water
Add ½ cup of lemon juice to 1 cup of water and microwave for 2 minutes. Don’t forget to add a non-metal object to avoid superheating. Let the liquid sit in the microwave for an additional 2-3 minutes before opening the door. Wipe down with a sponge or cloth.
Method 6: Steam with Lemon Juice and Vinegar
Add a 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar (so about ½ cup of each) and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice to a microwave-safe container with a non-metal object. Heat for 2 minutes, then let sit to steam inside for an additional 2-3 minutes before opening the door. Take a cloth or paper towel and wipe down the interior of the microwave.
SAFETY FIRST:
Superheating: Avoid superheating by adding a non-metal object such as a wooden spoon, kabob skewer, stir-stick, toothpicks, etc. to the container to avoid superheating the water which is dangerous and could lead to injury.
Burns: Use caution when heating glass or other containers that retain heat. Ensure that the container is either cool enough to handle with bare hands or use a hot pad to remove the container from the microwave.
Fumes: Vinegar is already pungent, and heating it makes the fumes worse. If you are sensitive to fumes, I would recommend using another method.
Get Rid Of Odors In Your Microwave With Baking Soda
Baking soda is the go-to odor and smell eliminator in our house, so using it to clean and deodorize our microwave is a no-brainer.
Method 7: Baking Soda Absorbs Odors
Add a box or bowl of baking soda to your microwave to combat strong smells or odors. Add the baking soda, close up the microwave, and leave it overnight.
Method 8: Steam with Water and Baking Soda
Add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water to a microwave-safe container and heat for 3 minutes. Let the mixture sit inside the microwave to steam for 2-3 minutes then wipe down the mess and stains with a paper towel or cloth.
SAFETY FIRST:
Superheating: Avoid superheating by adding a non-metal object such as a wooden spoon, kabob skewer, stir-stick, toothpicks, etc. to the container to avoid superheating the water which is dangerous and could lead to injury.
Burns: Use caution when heating glass or other containers that retain heat. Ensure that the container is either cool enough to handle with bare hands or use a hot pad to remove the container from the microwave.
How to Clean the Microwave Using Microwave Steamer
Method 9: Use a Microwave Steam Cleaner
The Angry Mama microwave steam cleaners are a fun way to get your kids to help out with keeping the microwave clean. There are also others that might strike your fancy like a volcano or the POTUS. The container is easy to fill, and kids enjoy watching the steam come from the Angry Mama’s head. It’s just something to add a bit of entertainment to kitchen chores.
That Was Easy, Right?!
Now that you know how to clean the microwave, it shouldn’t be a chore that you dread. Even with lots of splatter, grease, crud, and gunk all over the place, cleaning your microwave is easy. I love that it can be done with natural products that are inexpensive to boot! Of course, preventing the mess will go a long way, but in the case that you are like me and the microwave unintentionally gets neglected, now you have these microwave crud buster ideas in your toolbox. Enjoy that sparkly, fresh, and clean microwave…well, while it lasts anyway.
Do you have a go-to method for cleaning your microwave that you didn’t see here? Go ahead and share it with us in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
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