Knowing how to clean a microwave is essential unless you want a mess lurking in your otherwise beautiful kitchen. Your friend's over for coffee, she goes to reheat her cup, and—ahhh! What is that? Nobody likes to be surprised by a dirty microwave.
But the microwave is dirty for a reason: It's one of the busiest small appliances you own. And because we like our food hot and bubbly, explosions happen. (We've all seen an oatmeal explosion.) Unlike with your stove, you can just shut the door and forget about any spills or flare-ups, which means a microwave can quickly get gross. You may give it a wipe down every now and again, but when was the last time you deep cleaned your microwave?
Properly cleaning a microwave doesn't require any special cleaners or tools, just some time and elbow grease. The good news is that the more frequently you clean your microwave, the less time it will take the next time (barring any major disasters, of course). Ahead, we break down exactly how to clean a microwave three ways—and they're all easy. We also explain the tools you'll need and how to keep your clean microwave looking that way even after a leftovers smorgasbord dinner.
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3 Ways To Clean a Microwave
Your microwave is practically self-cleaning: Just heat water inside and the steam acts to remove a lot of the stains and buildup inside. Adding a cleaning agent like vinegar or baking soda gives it a power boost. How often to clean your microwave depends on how often you use it and what you use it for. We recommend checking your microwave once a week to see if it needs cleaning. The same goes for your microwave filter, if you have one.
For all methods, remove the turntable first if your microwave has one. You can wash it by hand or in the dishwasher.
Method 1: Vinegar and Water
Materials
- Distilled white vinegar
- Water
- Microfiber cloth
Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into a microwave-safe bowl. Set the bowl in the microwave, and heat on high until the liquid comes to a boil. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe down the entire interior of the microwave with a damp microfiber cloth. The caked-on mess should slide right off.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Water
Materials
- Baking soda
- Water
- Microfiber cloth
Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda into a few cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl until the baking soda dissolves. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high until you see steam. Leave the door to the microwave closed until the mixture cools, and then wipe down the microwave's interior with the microfiber cloth.
Method 3: The Paper Towel Method
Soak six paper towels in warm water. Place a paper towel on the microwave floor, ceiling, and each of the walls. Heat on high until you start to see steam. Remove the paper towels, taking most of the mess with them, and dry the microwave interior with clean paper towels or a microfiber cloth.
How To Clean a Microwave Filter
An over-the-range microwave is mounted over your stovetop and has a light and exhaust fan you can run to remove cooking fumes and grease from the air. If you have one of these microwaves, you also need to clean its filter. That's as simple as cleaning regular range hood grates and filters. Just remove it and let it soak in warm, soapy water, then hand wash it with a sponge or brush, rinse it, and let it dry. Replace it when it's fully dry.
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Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
