Out of all the household chores you have to tackle regularly, we bet your microwave isn’t always at the top of your list. If you tend to put off cleaning it, it can quickly become a hard-to-clean mess, and who wants that?
That’s why we checked in with Carolyn Forté and Noah Pinsonnault of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab to tell us how to clean a microwave, both inside and out. Here, you'll find ways to keep grease, food splatters and dirt from building up over time, and discover how to properly wash your appliance's turntable and filter. And that's not all — you’ll learn how effective cleaning products, including dish soap and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, can be, whether you have a countertop model, over-the-range style or built-in. Keep in mind that our experts recommend a light cleaning on a weekly basis to remove any crumbs or splatter inside your microwave. You'll want to do a deep cleaning once a month, though.
Plus, our pros will break down their go-to natural cleaning methods using vinegar, baking soda and lemon (it's great for eliminating unpleasant smells). "Vinegar is a mild cleaner that can be good for removing small grease stains, but for heavier soils, you may want to reach for something stronger like dish soap," Pinsonnault says. There's also the lemon-water cleaning method: "It humidifies the inside of the microwave, softening stuck-on food. The fragrance from the lemon can also help to mask or get rid of odors that may be present," he says.
How to clean the inside of a microwave with lemon and vinegar
Cleaning your microwave doesn't have to be a daunting task. Check out the below tips to clean up your appliance's interior (turntable included!).
- Combine 1 cup water and lemon, lime or orange slices (squeeze juice from the fruit slices into the water) in a microwave-safe bowl. Or, if you have white or apple cider vinegar on hand, combine a few tablespoons and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and turn it on high power for two or three minutes until the mixture boils and the window steams up.
- Let it cool for five minutes before opening the door, then remove the bowl and wipe the inside clean with a sponge.
How to clean the outside of a microwave with dish soap and baking soda
The interior of your microwave isn't the only area that matters. It's important to clean the exterior as well. Follow these tips to ensure your appliance is free of stubborn grease and smudges.
- Clean the entire door — edges, both sides and where it seals the oven — with a sponge dampened with water and dipped in a little baking soda. Wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to rinse.
- Clean a greasy window with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Rinse and wipe dry.
- For heavy grease build-up and stuck-on splatters, wipe the microwave door down with an all-purpose grease-cutting cleaner (like Mr. Clean Deep Cleaning Mist) or a sudsy mix of dish soap and water. Apply the cleaner with a cloth or sponge to prevent the cleaner from getting into the vent holes. Scrub with a non-scratch pad (such as Scotch-Brite), if needed. Similarly, to avoid damage, never spray electronic controls directly with the cleaner. Always apply the cleaner to a cloth first, then wipe the controls.
How to clean a microwave filter
If you have an over-the-range microwave, clean the filter at least monthly. The filter is meant to catch grease, so leaving it uncleaned will lead to a sticky mess on the filter and walls. "These filters are similar to the ones in kitchen range hoods and can be removed and washed in the sink in warm, sudsy water," says Forté. One note: Just be sure to always follow your microwave manufacturer's cleaning recommendations.
- Fill your kitchen sink with warm, soapy water.
- Place the filter in and keep it submerged for at least 10 minutes.
- If the residue is still there or is resistant to scrubbing, add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the water and soak it again.
How to get smells out of a microwave
When cooking something smelly in the microwave, the smell comes back as soon as you turn the oven back on. That means it's best to get rid of the stench right away.
- For light odors (spicy food with a strong aroma, for example), air out the oven by leaving the door open, or place a bowl of baking soda inside with the door closed to absorb smells.
- For strong odors (think: burnt popcorn), clean any leftover residue and place an odor-absorbing gel, like Fresh Wave, inside until you run it again.
How to remove stuck-on food from inside a microwave
To get rid of dried-on food, follow these instructions:
- Wash the turntable by hand with sudsy water and a non-scratch scrub sponge. Pinsonnault also has another tip if it's not an easy cleaning job: "If your turntable is particularly dirty, consider washing it in the dishwasher," he says, since most microwave turntables are made of glass and are dishwasher-safe.
- Wipe down the interior walls with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, a Good Housekeeping Seal star.
In order to prevent food from building up in the future, it's best to buy a splatter cover for heating food. "It will reduce the amount of food that gets stuck to the inside of the microwave and allow you to clean less often," Pinsonnault says.
What You Need to Clean a Microwave Properly
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
