Is Skipping Microwave Cleanings Harmful? Here's What Experts Recommend

Even if you’re generally thorough with your housework, there’s always that one spot that tends to be overlooked. For many people, it’s the inside of the microwave. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Maintaining a clean microwave is crucial for many reasons—whether it's ensuring it runs efficiently or stopping old food from contaminating what you're reheating. Instead of waiting until it’s caked in grime, experts suggest regular cleaning. But how often is necessary? We consulted professionals for their advice.

How Often Should You Clean Your Microwave?

Your microwave cleaning routine depends on how frequently you use it. If you're reheating food daily, a light clean once a week is a good target, suggests Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo.

“If you wipe it down weekly, the job stays quick and easy, so it’s no hassle to keep up with,” she explains. “Of course, if you spill something inside, it’s best to clean it immediately before it hardens.”

For less frequent microwave use, Rosa Picosa, cleaning expert at Fabuloso, recommends a monthly cleaning. “It doesn’t need attention every time you wipe down your kitchen or counters,” she says. “But make sure to give it a good scrub when you deep clean your kitchen.”

Is It Bad if You Don’t Clean the Microwave Enough?

If you're someone who tends to forget cleaning your microwave regularly—whether it's weekly or even monthly—you’re not alone. "I’d say that many people wait until it’s a disaster in there—or maybe a few times a year,” says McAllister. “You wouldn’t cook in a dirty pot, so why microwave your food in a grimy microwave?”

In other words, neglecting to clean your microwave frequently is pretty unappealing. “Aside from giving you the heebie-jeebies, a filthy microwave can cause unpleasant odors and become a haven for bacteria,” McAllister explains. “I always think about the gunk on the microwave's ceiling dripping onto my leftovers, and that’s enough to make me lose my appetite."

For Dana White, the founder of A Slob Comes Clean, the ick factor might have a hidden benefit. “A key advantage of regularly wiping down your microwave is that it often makes you more mindful about covering your food and preventing messes from the start,” she notes. Time to bring out the splatter guards and covers!

Microwave Cleaning Tips

Experts recommend a few easy ways to clean a microwave: using lemons or vinegar. However, the most effective cleaner of all is steam.

McAllister recommends filling a bowl or mug with one cup of water and one to two tablespoons of vinegar, then microwaving it for five minutes. Afterward, simply wipe everything down with a damp cloth. “The steam will loosen up all the grime," she explains. "And the vinegar helps neutralize odors, leaving your microwave smelling fresh.”

Picosa and White suggest a similar approach, but with lemon juice instead of vinegar. Just cut a lemon in half, place it in a microwave-safe dish with some water, and heat it for about five minutes. "Leave the microwave door shut for a while afterward to let the steam work,” says Picosa. “When you open it up, the smell will be incredible, and it’ll be much easier to wipe down.”

If there’s still residue stuck to the microwave walls after the steam treatment, create a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste with a sponge, scrubbing the stubborn spots until they come off. For the microwave's exterior, there are many specialized products that can do the job, but to finish it off, experts recommend using a microfiber cloth to give it a nice shine.