Knowing how to clean the microwave saves you time, bad smells and that dried-on splash of sauce that seems impossible to shift. The good news is that you do not need any expensive product: cleaning the microwave with lemon or with a little vinegar is more than enough. In this guide we walk you through, step by step, how to get it gleaming inside and out, how often it is worth doing and what tricks people use to keep theirs spotless.
Why it gets dirty so fast (and how often to clean it)
The microwave heats food from the inside, so the moisture and the splashes stick to the walls and the roof of the appliance. If you do not wipe them off soon, the heat bakes them into stubborn crusts. On top of that, those leftovers absorb smells and make your food taste different.
As a simple rule of thumb: wipe it with a damp cloth after every messy use (a stew that spits, a soup) and give the inside of the microwave a deep clean once a week. If you use it a lot, every few days. The more consistent you are, the less scrubbing you will do.
How to clean the microwave with lemon, step by step
This is the star method: cheap, natural and it leaves a lovely smell. The lemon steam softens the dirt so it comes away on its own. You need half a lemon and a microwave-safe bowl.
- Squeeze half a lemon into a bowl of water (around 200 ml) and drop the peel in too.
- Heat on full power for 3 to 5 minutes, until the inside fills with steam.
- Do not open the door straight away: leave it for 2 or 3 minutes so the steam keeps working.
- Take the bowl out carefully (it will be hot) and wipe with a cloth. The grease will come off effortlessly.
If you want the basics for this kind of routine to hand, take a look at our home and kitchen accessories: microfibre cloths, bowls and organisers that make cleaning easier to live with.
Cleaning the microwave with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
If the appliance has gone a while without a proper clean, vinegar is your ally. It works like lemon, but it cuts through baked-on grease better and neutralises strong smells (fish, fried food).
- With vinegar: mix half a glass of water with half a glass of white vinegar in a bowl, heat for 5 minutes and leave it to sit. Then wipe it down.
- With bicarbonate of soda: for the most stubborn marks, make a paste with two tablespoons of bicarbonate and a little water. Apply it to the crust, wait 5 minutes and rub gently. Bicarbonate acts as a mild abrasive without scratching.
Combining the two — cleaning the microwave with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda — is the perfect formula for a very dirty appliance: the vinegar steam softens and the bicarbonate finishes off the individual marks. Avoid mixing harsh chemical products; these two old-fashioned ingredients are plenty.
How to clean the inside of the microwave: turntable and corners
The inside has three areas we tend to forget. Go over them every time you do a deep clean:
- The turntable: take it out and wash it by hand or in the dishwasher like any other plate. Let it dry properly before putting it back.
- The roller ring: the part the turntable spins on collects debris. Rinse it with hot water and washing-up liquid.
- The roof and the walls: with the cloth dampened after the steaming, go over the corners and the top, where it splashes without you seeing it.
For the door and the rubber seal, use a slightly damp cloth; if residue stays in the joins, a cotton bud reaches the narrow corners. Never pour water directly onto the vents or the inside of the door.
An extra trick for smells
If the microwave smells even when it is clean, leave a glass of water with a few slices of lemon inside overnight (switched off). It absorbs the odour. Another option is a small tub of bicarbonate of soda, which works just like the ones in the fridge.
Cleaning the outside of the microwave and keeping it spotless
The outside fills up with fingerprints and splashes from the kitchen. Wipe it with a microfibre cloth barely dampened with water and a few drops of washing-up liquid, then dry it off. Around the button panel, do not pour liquid directly: dampen the cloth and clean gently.
To keep it clean for longer, always cover your food with a microwave-safe lid or with kitchen paper. You avoid 90% of the splashes and the next clean will be a walk in the park. In our home shop you will find lids, food containers and utensils designed for everyday cooking.
Conclusion
As you can see, how to clean the microwave is no mystery: lemon or vinegar steam to soften, bicarbonate for the stubborn marks and a microfibre cloth to finish. With a quick weekly routine, your appliance will always be ready to go and smell-free. And if you fancy replacing cloths, bowls or lids to make it even easier, have a browse of Velia Select: we have exactly what your kitchen needs to run better without complicating your life.