How to Properly Clean Your Microwave? (4 Ways)

This blog post explains how to clean a microwave as quickly as possible. By following the steps, you can easily clean your microwave in a flash.

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If you’re like most people, your microwave is a key part of your daily routine. You might use it to heat your food or to get a quick snack. But did you know that your microwave can also be a major source of clutter and dirt? And if it’s not regularly cleaned, it can smell bad and become difficult to use. So how do you properly clean a microwave?

This blog post will show you how to clean a microwave quickly and easily. By following these steps, you’ll be able to get the job done in no time.

How to clean your microwave?

No matter how often or how little you use your microwave, it’s important to keep it clean and working.

Image of a microwave oven over a range. Source: unsplash
Image of a microwave oven over a range. Source: unsplash

Total Time: 10 minutes

  1. Mix soapy water

    Combine dish soap and hot water in a basin to clean the dishes. Then, sponge the dishes by soaking them in soapy dishwater and squeezing them out into the basin.

  2. Remove the plate

    Take out the center turn table and glass plate. Clean the glass plate the same way as any other dish, by hand in the sink with a sponge and dish soap suds.

  3. Scrub inside

    Then, clean the inside of the microwave with the soapy sponge. Start from the top if you want to avoid washing the same area twice because of dropped food or oil. Coat the inside of your microwave from top to bottom, inside to outside, and door to the oven using a circular motion. It would help if you had soap to permeate every crevice. Care for your microwave by keeping water out of the openings.

  4. Rinse and repeat until your microwave so spotless.

    To finish cleaning your microwave, use a moist paper towel to soak up any remaining soapy water and then a dry paper towel or rag to give it a final once-over.

  5. Replace the interior plate

    The glass platter and turntable should be swapped out.

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My favorite range hood (at the moment):

COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood

This is one of the best hoods available at this price point. Reasonably strong CFM for the cost, and it has received rave reviews (over 3,800 reviews!). It looks great, and the LED lights provide a pleasant brightness. For the price, its performance and style are outstanding. Highly recommended!

Other ways to clean a microwave

A list of other microwave cleaning methods follows.

How to clean a microwave with vinegar?

If you have some extra vinegar, you can easily clean your microwave with it.

  1. The microwave may be cleaned by combining two teaspoons of white vinegar with two cups of water in a large glass measuring cup or microwave-safe dish. Adding a few drops of your chosen essential oil to white vinegar will help its pungent odor.
  2. In a microwave, heat the ingredients for five minutes on high. You want it to become as hot as possible inside the microwave to melt any stubborn grease and filth, so a minor overflow is OK.
  3. Keep the microwave door closed for at least 10 minutes. Even after this time, the bowl, contents, and steam may still be dangerously hot.
  4. Take off the microwave’s glass plate and turntable to give them a good cleaning with a damp cloth. Because the plate will likely become slippery when wet, please use extreme caution while handling it.
  5. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to clean the inside of the microwave, including the walls, door, ceiling, and floor. Avoid getting fluids in the vents since this might lead to future mechanical troubles. Clean the microwave inside with the remaining water and vinegar solution if there are any lingering stains.
  6. When you’re done, put the glass back on the turntable.

How to clean a microwave with lemon?

If you don’t like how white vinegar smells, cleaning your microwave with lemon could be the way to go.

  1. First, get the juices flowing by squeezing or rubbing a lemon between your hands. Next, the lemon should be halved, the juice squeezed into a microwave-safe container, and the seeds strained out or removed by hand.
  2. The lemon halves should also be squeezed and dropped into the container. One cup of water should be added to the lemon juice and halves. Cook for five minutes on high power with the container in the microwave. In the same vein as the vinegar solution, let this one rest for at least 10 minutes before attempting to remove the container.
  3. You may clean the glass platter and the turntable separately. The inside of the microwave should then be wiped clean using a cloth or paper towel. Finally, put back the turntable and glass plate and breathe easy, knowing your microwave looks and smells like new.

How to clean a microwave with baking soda?

Don’t have lemons or vinegar? Use baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate, the secret ingredient in airy pancakes and muffins, also works well as a microwave cleaning. You may clean the microwave with baking soda instead of using harsh chemicals by removing the Arm & Hammer from the depths of your kitchen cupboard.

  1. First, combine at least two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of water in a microwave-safe container.
  2. In a microwave, heat the ingredients for five minutes on high. This concoction produces super-concentrated steam, ideal for dissolving dirt and neutralizing unpleasant smells. Take the lid off the container when the five minutes are over.
  3. Next, take the platter and the glass top out of the player. After wiping off the exterior and inside of the microwave, use a clean, damp towel to remove any remaining food particles.
  4. Steam should help release any food particles, but there may be some extra-stubborn muck that resists even that. Put some baking soda and water in a bowl, then use a sponge to scrape the inside of your microwave until it’s clean.
  5. The glass platter and turntable should be taken out and clean as usual.
Image of a kitchen with an otr microwave range hood. Source: pexels
Image of a kitchen with an otr microwave range hood. Source: pexels

How to clean a microwave with melamine foam sponges?

The melamine foam sponges sold under the brand name Magic Eraser are as magical as their name implies. It may seem counterintuitive to heat it in the microwave, but you should try it.

  1. Melamine foam may be activated by wetting the sponge gently; this should be done after the microwave turntable and glass plate has been removed.
  2. Wipe off the glass plate and the microwave inside in tiny, circular movements, careful not to get any water into the vents.
  3. If the filth on your microwave’s turntable and glass plate seem impossible to clean, it may be time for a replacement. Then, microwave the wet melamine foam sponge on high power for the next five minutes.
  4. Use the sponge to remove any remaining food or dirt when it has cooled.

How often should your microwave be cleaned?

To prevent the buildup of grime and odors, clean your microwave once a week every three to four weeks. You may need to clean it more regularly if you reheat a lot of sauces and gravies.

You may go for over a month without cleaning the microwave if you seldom use it. But you shouldn’t let the dirt sit for too long.

If you want even more tips and insights, watch this video called “How to Clean A Microwave! Easy Kitchen Appliance Cleaning Ideas That Save Time (Clean My Space)” from the Clean My Space YouTube Channel.

A video called “How to Clean A Microwave! Easy Kitchen Appliance Cleaning Ideas That Save Time (Clean My Space)” from the Clean My Space YouTube Channel.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about cleaning a microwave.

How do you clean a really dirty microwave?

Combine the cleaning solution of your choice (vinegar and water, lemon juice and water, or baking soda and water) in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave the mixture for a few minutes.

Then, bring the ingredients to a simmer for 3–5 minutes. Please wait a little while before wiping it down. This method eliminates the need to clean, and the microwave makes it easy and quick to get rid of tough grease and stains.

How often should you replace your microwave?

The typical lifespan of a microwave oven is ten years. However, it is only the case if you are regularly clean and maintain yours. Additionally, technology might evolve to the point that you willingly want a new microwave with the latest features.

What happens if you microwave vinegar?

Vinegar may be microwaved for consumption or heated up and used as a microwave cleaner, one of the most often asked questions. Vinegar just has to be warmed for a few seconds before it can be consumed.

Conclusion

Microwaves are notorious for being messy, smelly, and hard to keep clean. But with these tips, you can easily clean your microwave without anyone noticing. All you need is some soap and a few simple cleaning products—and that’s it!

This article covered how to clean a microwave. Here are some key takeaways:

Key takeaways

  • No matter how often or how little you use your microwave, it’s important to keep it clean and working.
  • If you always have dish soap on hand, this is one of the most convenient methods for keeping your microwave in pristine condition.
  • Cleaning the outside of the microwave of smudges and grease
  • You may use these suggestions to clean up messes and spills.
  • Many people are unaware that grime can build up in their microwave and make your food taste bad.
  • To clean the microwave, you have to buy a cleaner.

So, ask-a-question? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check out my full blog for more tips and tricks in your kitchen. Thanks for reading, and stay safe.

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Written by Roger Harris, Staff Writer

Hey there! My name is Roger, and I've been selling range hoods for over six years. I now run this blog all about range hoods and kitchen ventilation! If you're looking for a new range hood for your kitchen, this is the place for you.

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Edited by Nick Eggert, Staff Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail.

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