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How to Clean a Microwave

sites • May 17, 2022

Would you like to know how to clean a microwave? Do you know how to go about it? Read on to learn what you need to know on the subject.

Did you know that nine in 10 US households now own at least one microwave?

That popularity is due to microwaves being able to cook food faster than standard ovens. That makes them convenient and time-saving. Moreover, they often consume less energy, with some using up to 80% less than traditional ovens.

Unfortunately, dirty and ill-maintained microwaves may fail to heat food evenly. That can render them unable to kill bacteria and cook food as they should.

So for your safety, it's best to learn how to clean a microwave.

Don't worry, though, as that's what we'll teach you in this post. So, read on as we've rounded up the top microwave cleaning tips you can follow today.

Wipe Spills and Splatters Right Away

The trick to no-frills microwave cleaning is to wipe spills and splatters immediately. Otherwise, exposure to air can harden them and allow them to cling to the appliance's surfaces. Moreover, not cleaning them right away can cause their smells to mix with other foods.

So, the next time you use your microwave, let it cool and then check its interiors for spills and splatters. If there's any, grab a clean cloth, moisten it, and wipe down the appliance's interior surfaces.

If it's an oily mess, remove the turntable and wash it with soap and warm water. Use a soapy sponge to clean the inside of the microwave, too. That can help cut through and remove the grease before it turns jelly-like.

Heat Some Wet Paper Towels

As long as your microwave doesn't smell weird and only has a few splatters, this trick may be enough to clean it.

Start by taking a bunch of paper towels and placing them on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Then, run the kitchen tap to soak them up. Next, pop this inside the appliance and run it on high for two to three minutes.

Open the door and be careful not to hurt yourself from the steam. Once the inside of the microwave is cool enough, remove the plate and wipe down the surfaces with a dry towel. Give the interiors a final inspection to see if you got rid of all the splatters.

Use Soapy Steam

Does your microwave smell a bit iffy and have a few dried-up food debris? In that case, try using soapy steam to remove the smells and the baked-on stuff.

First, get a microwave-safe bowl and fill it with one cup of water. Then, add a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and stir it well. Next, pop this in the microwave and run it on high for about one minute.

Open the door slowly and let the steam escape.

Grab a clean kitchen sponge, and use that to wipe down the microwave's surfaces. Rub it gently over any stubborn caked-on food debris until it dissolves or loosens up.

Rinse your sponge and the inside of your microwave. If there's a strong soap odor, give it another rinse and leave the door with a slight crack for a few minutes. That opening should allow the soap's smells to dissipate and escape.

Bring in the Vinegar

Vinegar is mostly water, but it also contains 5% acetic acid. That acid gives it antimicrobial properties that make it excellent for food preservation. In short, it's why vinegar is a common ingredient in pickling fruits and vegetables.

However, it's also because of acetic acid that vinegar can dissolve organic stains. In addition, it can cut through grease and even clean glass without leaving streaks.

All those effects make it an excellent, cost-effective way to clean a microwave. For the same reasons, it's a great tool to use while you carry out your bathroom cleaning tasks.

It's best to use distilled white vinegar, though, as the colored ones can cause staining. Plus, it's cheaper than most other forms of vinegar, adding to its benefits as a cleaner.

To use vinegar when cleaning a microwave, pour half a cup of this acidic liquid into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, mix in half a cup of clean water. Stir the mixture, and then place the bowl inside your microwave.

Set the timer for about one to two minutes, or until you can see the liquid steaming. Once it does, turn the microwave off and then let it rest with the door closed for a few minutes.

After that, crack open the door and allow any remaining steam to dissipate. Then, use a clean piece of cloth to wipe down every inch of the inside of your microwave.

Scrub With Baking Soda

According to the latest statistics, 46% of people in the US are baking more. If you're one of these folks, you likely keep a box or two of baking soda in your pantry.

That's fantastic news because baking soda, like vinegar, is an excellent cleaner. It also works like the diluted acetic acid in that it dissolves organic materials. The chief difference is that baking soda is alkaline, but it still removes grease and food debris.

Plus, baking soda's fine crystallized structure makes it a gentle, scratch-free abrasive. You can take advantage of that by using it as a scrub for the inside of your microwave. Moreover, this fine powdery stuff also acts as a deodorizer, helping neutralize odors.

To clean your microwave with baking soda, create a thick paste by mixing about half a cup of it with a few drops of water. Mix well, apply it straight onto hardened food bits, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, use a paper towel or a rag to wipe away the paste and the dislodged food.

After you've taken care of the stubborn food spills, grab another piece of paper towel and put some of the paste on it. You can gently rub this all over the interior sides of your microwave. That should take care of the other splatters while also deodorizing the appliance.

Once you're happy with the results, rinse the inside of your microwave with a damp towel.

De-Grease the Door

Now that you're onto door cleaning, you no longer need to turn the microwave on, so it's best to unplug it. That can help prevent shocks, which aren't only painful but can also cause injuries.

Once unplugged, examine the appliance's door to see if it has a rubber seal or gasket. If so, please don't use the vinegar solution to clean it. Otherwise, the acid can dry out the rubber parts, causing the seal or gasket to fail.

Instead, you can dissolve some baking soda in water. Use this to dampen a towel, and then wipe oils and grease off the door. Then, rinse off the white solution with towels moistened with plain water.

Eliminate Greasy Window Streaks

You can use the vinegar solution to clean the outside of your microwave door.

First, grab a towel and then dip one side into the cleaning mixture. Next, thoroughly wring and fold it to ensure it only touches a portion of the window.

Work the towel from one side to the other, and use another towel to wipe dry that area. That can help prevent any excess moisture from dripping down the window. Drying it immediately also ensures a streak-free window.

Wipe Down the Exterior

Please make sure that your microwave remains unplugged before cleaning its exterior.

If it is, you can then begin wiping down its sides with a sponge or a towel moistened with soapy water. The keyword here is "moistened," not "sopping," as you don't want any liquid to drip into the vents.

So, be sure to thoroughly wring the sponge or towel before you clean the outside of your microwave. Avoid running it over the openings, as drips can cause an electrical short in the appliance.

Then, as soon as you're happy with the results, rinse the exterior with a towel dampened with plain water. Finally, wipe it down with another piece of dry, clean cloth.

Call the Pros for Help

While cleaning a microwave doesn't take long, cleaning a kitchen can take hours. After all, you'd need to mop the floors, scrub the sink, and make your countertops sparkle. It may also be time to clean your fridge, range, stove, and oven.

If you don't have time to do all that, it may be best to hire professional cleaners. They're your best if you can't clean your kitchen, much less deep-clean your entire home. By calling them in, you can rest assured that it's not just your microwave that will be sparkling clean.

That's How to Clean a Microwave

Now that you know how to clean a microwave, it's best to make wiping it after every use a habit. That can help keep spills and splatters from hardening. However, you can also use soap, vinegar, or baking soda for more stubborn debris.

If you don't have much time to clean your kitchen or home, it may be best to contact us here at Sparkly Clean Dallas. We provide whole-house cleaning services, so call us today for a personalized quote!

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