Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Microwave Oven Like a Pro

The microwave oven is one of the most helpful kitchen appliances but can also be the dirtiest. Over time, cooking splatters and grease build up on the inside of the microwave, and it can be hard to clean without damaging your dishes.

Thankfully, there are several easy ways to clean a microwave oven. These methods include using vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda — all-natural products that won’t harm you or your microwave.

If you’re eager to learn how to clean microwave oven, wait no more! This article will guide you through different cleaning methods, tips, and tricks to keep your oven from messes.

Microwave ovens are fantastic for cooking anything from bacon to acorn squash, so you’ll want to keep yours clean. Use these four simple methods to get streaks and fingerprints out of your microwave and make it look new.

Cleaning the Microwave Oven with Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural, inexpensive ingredient for cleaning your microwave oven. It is a suitable solvent for mineral deposits, calcium, and lime deposits in the microwave.

Benefits of using vinegar:

• Vinegar is a non-toxic and environment-friendly substance.
• It has a pleasant smell.
• It leaves no residue behind when you are done with the cleaning process.

You do not have to rinse it after cleaning because it evaporates quickly once you open the door.

Cleaning a microwave oven with vinegar is easy and quick. You only need a little vinegar, water, dish soap, a sponge, and paper towels.

Step 1 – Prepare the Cleaning Solution. Fill a microwave-safe bowl halfway with equal parts water and white vinegar. This mixture will help loosen grime and eliminate odors.

Step 2 – Heat the Solution. Put the bowl inside and arrange the five-minute timer on high power. Heating the vinegar and water will create steam, which will help loosen the stains and make them easier to wipe away.

Step 3 – Remove the Bowl. Once the time runs out, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Use oven mitts if necessary, as the bowl may be hot. Set it aside for now.

Step 4 – Wipe Down the Interior. Use a cloth or sponge and mild dish soap to clean the interior of the microwave. Make sure you wipe down any stubborn spots or stains that remain.

Step 5 – Rinse and Wipe Clean. Rinse the cloth and wipe the surfaces with clean water to remove any soap residue. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the interior of the microwave to avoid leaving any cleaning solution behind.

Step 6 – Enjoy a Fresh and Clean Microwave. Congratulations! Your microwave oven is fresh and clean, ready for your next culinary adventure. Enjoy using it without any lingering stains or odors.

Cleaning Cheaply with Lemon

Lemon is a natural disinfectant and cleaning agent. It is also affordable, so it’s an ideal option to save money on cleaning.

Lemon, a familiar fruit, has been used as a cleaning agent for centuries. You can use lemon to clean your microwave oven by following these steps:

Step 1: Take a bowl of water and squeeze a lemon into it. The citric acid in lemons helps cut through grease more easily than vinegar or baking soda, making it an excellent all-purpose cleaner. Place the prepared bowl in the center of your microwave and heat it until the water boils.

Step 2: Allow the steam from the boiling water to penetrate every corner of your microwave oven for at least 10 minutes. Then remove it and wipe down any remaining grime with paper towels or rags dipped in warm water and lemon juice.

For more challenging spots like burned-on food, scrub them away with a soft bristle brush or sponge dipped in warm water and lemon juice.

Step 3: Remove the microwave turntable and wash it separately with warm, soapy water. Dry it thoroughly before placing it back inside the microwave.

Step 4: Wipe the interior and exterior surfaces with a damp cloth to remove limescale. Finally, dry the surfaces with a clean, dry cloth.

Using Baking Soda to Sanitize the Microwave Oven

Baking soda is what you’re looking for inexpensively and safely to clean the microwave oven. It works by absorbing odors from food cooked in the microwave.

Baking soda can be used on the interior and exterior of your microwave, as well as on your stovetop and other kitchen surfaces.

Here’s how to clean your microwave oven with baking soda. Let’s explore each step.

Step 1 – Create a baking soda paste. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl with a few teaspoons of water. Stir until it forms a thick paste.

Step 2 – Apply the paste. Using a cloth or sponge, apply the baking soda paste to the interior surfaces of the microwave, focusing on any areas with stubborn stains or food residue. Avoid applying the paste to any electrical components or vents.

Step 3 – Let it sit. Let the baking soda mixture sit for at least 5-10 minutes, giving it time to break down the grime and grease.

Step 4 – Wipe away the paste. Using a damp sponge or cloth, gently wipe away the baking soda paste from the microwave’s interior surfaces. Be sure to remove all traces of the paste to avoid leaving a residue.

Step 5 – Clean the turntable. While waiting for the paste to work its magic, wash the turntable and other removable parts with warm soapy water. Before putting them back in the microwave, carefully rinse and dry them.

Step 6 – Rinse and dry. After removing the baking soda paste, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the microwave’s interior surfaces again. It will remove any remaining residue. Finally, thoroughly dry the interior of the microwave with a dry towel.

How to Clean the Microwave Oven with Dish Soap

Dish soap is a great multipurpose cleaner. It’s inexpensive, works well on most surfaces, and has no harsh cleaning chemicals that can damage your microwave. The only downside is that dish soap can leave a residue if you don’t rinse all of it off.

To clean your microwave with dish soap, follow the steps below.

Steps to Clean a Microwave Oven with Dish Soap

Step 1 – Prepare a soapy solution. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Mix well to create a soapy solution.

Step 2 – Soak the sponge or cloth. Dip the cloth or sponge in the soapy water solution, ensuring it is soaked but not wet.

Step 3 – Wipe down the interior. Using the soapy sponge or cloth, gently wipe the interior surfaces of the microwave, focusing on any areas with stubborn stains or food residue. Avoid wiping any electrical components or vents.

Step 4 – Clean the turntable and removable parts: While cleaning the interior, also wash the turntable and other removable parts with the soapy solution. Before putting them back in the microwave, carefully rinse and dry them.

Step 5 – Rinse the interior: After cleaning the interior with the soapy solution, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the microwave’s interior surfaces, removing any soap residue.

Step 6 – Dry the interior: Using a dry towel, completely dry the inside of the microwave to ensure no moisture remains.

Cleaning your microwave regularly with dish soap will help maintain its cleanliness and efficiency, ensuring it stays in good working condition.

Microwave ovens are great for cooking and reheating food. But there are times when the food can get a little messy. Here are some tips and tricks on how to avoid messes in the microwave oven:

• Cover dishes with plastic wrap or wax paper before microwaving them. It helps keep splatters from getting all over your microwave.
• Do it carefully if you need to remove food from a casserole dish. Use an oven mitt to hold the dish, and take it from the microwave with both hands.
• Keep foods in their original packaging or use a microwave-safe container. Putting food directly into the microwave can splatter and leave stains on your microwave’s interior and door handle.
• Don’t forget to turn off the microwave when you’re finished cooking. It prevents food from burning and splattering, which can damage your microwave.
• Don’t use metal racks or pans with metal handles in a microwave oven. Metal can cause sparks and fires if it comes into contact with high voltage or current.

The steps above can help you clean your microwave oven in a jiffy and make it look new again. Each of the above methods has cons and pros; using them wisely will prove effective in cleaning your oven.

We hope that our pieces of information are helpful to you and you’ll soon try them and maintain a clean microwave oven.

Have you learned anything interesting in our article about “how to clean the microwave oven”? Let us know in the comment.

Karyn

Karyn is an IIN Health Coach certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition since 2021, with a passion for cooking and exercise, especially yoga. She brings her expertise in Nutrition and Fitness to Hometoppicks, leading both the Kitchen and Home Gym sections to provide credible product recommendations. Karyn is committed to guiding readers on their healthy living journey with her expert tips and trusted product suggestions. You can find more about her here.