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Whether you're tackling the mess in the office microwave or trying to remove sauce splashes inside your own, there are ways to learn how to clean a microwave without scrubbing your hands raw. The key takeaway: Steam is your best tool. And guess what? Microwaves generate their own steam! (You see where this is going?) Alternatively, there are methods that don’t even require you to press start. Instead, all you need are a few common supplies that you probably already have around.
With that in mind, here are some tricks to make microwave cleaning a breeze.
1. The Lemon Technique
Becky Rapinchuk, from the Clean Mama housekeeping blog, swears by this reliable method: Fill a glass bowl or measuring cup with 3 to 4 cups of hot water, then cut a lemon into chunks and add them to the water. Place the bowl of water and lemons into the microwave and run it until the water boils, which takes about three to five minutes.
"Let the steam do the work—don’t open the door for at least five minutes," says Rapinchuk. If the microwave hasn't generated enough steam after that time, microwave the water for another minute, let it sit, and then use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe it clean.
2. The Lemon Juice Technique
Speaking of cleaning with lemons! If you can't part with your wedges, you can opt for just two to three tablespoons of lemon juice instead. Add the juice to the water and follow the same method as above.
3. The Vinegar Method
For those stubborn marinara stains, spray the inside of your microwave with white vinegar, says Rapinchuk. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth, rinsing and wringing the cloth as you go. Don't forget to remove, wash, and dry the glass plate before replacing it.
4. The Apple Cider Vinegar Method
If you're out of distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar (or pretty much any type of vinegar) will work in a pinch. Simply follow the same steps as mentioned above.
5. The Dish Soap Technique
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of dish soap, advises Harriet Jones, cleaning and maintenance supervisor at Go Cleaners London. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about two minutes to create steam, being careful not to let it boil over. Allow it to sit for three minutes, then remove the bowl with oven mitts and wipe the inside clean with paper towels.
6. The Sponge Method
No scrubbing required, promise! Instead, thoroughly soak a sponge in water, adding a drop of Dawn dish soap if you prefer, suggests Zeynep Mehmetoglu, a cleaning expert at Maid Bright cleaning services near Washington, D.C. Spray the inside of your microwave with a mixture of 1 to 3 ounces of water and 3 to 5 drops of essential oil (orange or lemon are excellent choices). Microwave the sponge on the turntable for two to three minutes, then let it sit for a few more minutes before using the sponge to wipe off any stubborn food.
7. The Damp Towel Technique
For an incredibly simple cleaning solution using just one item, wet a small towel thoroughly (make sure it has no metal parts) and microwave it for up to two minutes, advises Shirley Langridge, a kitchen cleaning expert from Maggie's Oven Services. The towel will help loosen stuck-on messes, and once it cools down enough to handle, you can use it to wipe down the interior of your microwave.
8. The Baking Soda Method
To tackle tough spills without using harsh chemicals, take a small bowl and mix a paste of baking soda and water, says Langridge. Apply the paste to the stubborn food spots and let it sit for five minutes, then wipe it off with a damp sponge. "There will be no need for any scrubbing," Langridge assures.
9. Another Baking Soda Technique
You can clean nearly anything with baking soda. Naturally, there are several ways to use it to clean a microwave. The experts at Arm & Hammer recommend sprinkling some baking soda into a microwave-safe bowl filled with water, then microwaving it for five minutes. Let it sit for a bit, then wipe it clean.
10. The Gadget Technique
Fill a quirky little steamer called Angry Mama with water and vinegar, then microwave on high for seven minutes, advises Joanne Archer, an editor at Expert Home Tips. Let it cool for two minutes, open the microwave door, and wipe the inside clean.
11. The Dishwasher Trick
No, you can't toss your entire microwave into the dishwasher (for many reasons!), but you can put the turntable in for a wash. If the tray is the main culprit—thanks to spills and boil-overs!—simply remove it and place it in the bottom rack with your plates.
12. The Magic Eraser Technique
We can think of countless things to clean with a Magic Eraser. It's more effective than a regular sponge, so grab a damp one to quickly wipe up spills, splatters, and stuck-on grime. And as promised, no scrubbing necessary.
Tips for Keeping Your Microwave Clean
The simplest microwave cleaning hack is to avoid letting your microwave fill up with crusted food in the first place. After using the above tips to get it back to pristine condition, here’s how to keep it looking fresh and clean all the time:
- Always cover what you're heating, even if it's just for 10 seconds, with a paper towel or a perforated microwave cover. (Ever had a stick of butter explode while just reheating it? A cover will save you from that.)
- Wipe down the microwave’s interior each time you clean your kitchen counters.
- Avoid microwaving foods that leave behind lingering grease and/or smells, like bacon or microwave popcorn. If you must, do a quick clean right after cooking: Add water and lemon to a small bowl, microwave for a few minutes, let it sit for five minutes, and then wipe the inside clean.
