How to Clean and Maintain Your Microwave
- June 18, 2025
- 0
Let’s Face It: Your Microwave Is the MVP of the Kitchen Your microwave is certainly the most used device that you own.It’s always there for reheating, defrosting frozen
Let’s Face It: Your Microwave Is the MVP of the Kitchen
Your microwave is certainly the most used device that you own.
It’s always there for reheating, defrosting frozen food, popping a bag of popcorn, or cooking an effortless meal.
🌀 The average person uses their microwave every single day!
Even with its fantastic use, I would bet it is the appliance you take for granted the most when it comes to routine cleaning and maintenance.
⚠️ What Happens When You Don’t Clean a Microwave Regularly?
Food splatter, steam, and grease build up inside your microwave over many months — piling onto the walls, plate, and ceiling.
The outside does not fare much better:
Residual food collects in the dust air vents
Covers the finger touch buttons
Grime settles in the crevices
If it is not maintained and cleaned regularly, these issues can not only be ugly and smelly, but they can also:
➡️ Reduce heating efficiency
➡️ Cause undirected cooking
➡️ Cause smoking or undesired burnt smells
➡️ Harbour bacteria and mold
➡️ Eventually cause permanent damage to the appliance
✅ Why This Guide?
This is why we have developed this step-by-step guide, which covers everything from soft steaming, proper air vent care, and everything in between —
to make sure you can give your microwave a new lease of life and prolong its life expectancy without breaking the bank on expensive tools or a technician.
What Do You Want to Have for a Complete Microwave Clean
Before we get started, here is a few commonly found household items you will need:
✅ Microwave-Sef Bowl
✅ White vinegar or fresh lemon
✅ Baking soda (optional for heavy scrubbing)
✅ Light dish soap
✅ Microfiber cloth or soft rag
✅ An old toothbrush or soft-bristled cleaning brush
✅ Cotton Swab or Q-Tips
✅ Clean Sponge or Non-Scratch Pad
All of these items are safe, work and won’t harm your microwave surface or micro-components.
Step 1: Clean the Inside of Your Microwave Deeply
🔹 Why this matters
The microwave gets the majority of abuse inside. Food explodes, food boils, and steam from open dishes condenses on the walls and ceilings. If you have ever opened the door and see the remnants of burnt soup or esoteric curry, that is a lot of bacteria and food waste singing you a Namaste.
🔸 A. First, steam clean
The steam gets dried food and softens the grim so it wipes clean easier, without the need to get too aggressive with cleaning your microwave.
Method 1: Vinegar Steam
Take a microwave safe bowl and fill it with 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar
Microwave for 5 minutes on high
Let the steam work (keep the microwave door closed) for an additional 5–10 minutes
Method 2: Lemon Steam
Take a whole lemon and slice it, place in a microwave safe bowl with 1 cup of water
Microwave for 5–7 minutes until boiling and steaming
Let the lemon steam work (keep the door shut) for an additional 5–10 minutes
🟨 Pro Tip: Place a toothpick or wooden spoon in the bowl to avoid superheating and a water explosion.
🔸 B. Wipe the Walls, Ceiling, and Corners
After steam has assisted with removing residues:
Carefully remove the hot bowl (use your oven mitts)
Utilizing a clammy microfiber cloth, wipe the total insides of the microwave.
Start at the top (ceiling) and wipe down the walls and bottom of the microwave in any order you need.
Don’t forget edges, corners, the edge around the door, and the turntable.
If you have tough scum:
Utilize hot vinegar arrangement on your cloth and utilize it to delicately clean.
If there is stuck food, use a baking soda paste (1 tablespoon baking soda + water) on the area.
🔸 C. Remove and Clean the Turntable
Remove the glass tray and support ring if you have one in the microwave.
Wash them both in hot, soapy water like a dish.
Use a sponge or soft brush to clean all of the surfaces — and especially under the tray, as pieces can often hide and spreads can too.
Once dried, then you can keep them back in place.
🟩 Note: A dirty tray can affect how well the turntable rotates or cooks food.
🔸 D. Clean the Door, Seal, and Handle
The rubber seals around the moisture and debris inside are left to get trapped — and most times no one even notices.
To clean the rubber gasket and door frame (cleaning the door) you can use a non-abrasive soft brush or toothbrush and some soap water.
Once you have cleaned it, wipe it off with a wet cloth to remove the soap residue.
To clean the window inside and outside, use vinegar, or a mild cleaner.
Step 2: Clean the Exterior of the Microwave
A shiny exterior isn’t just for looks — it helps keep the buttons functional and the ventilation unobstructed.
🔸 A. Control Panel
The control panel is sensitive and should never be soaked or directly drenched.
Take a microfiber cloth, and barely moisten it with water + dish soap
Wipe gently around the buttons and power-on screen
Use a cotton swab to clean the edges and between the buttons
Wipe dry well with a clean, dry cloth
🔸 B. Top, Sides, and Back
Dust and grease are located on the tops and sides of the microwave.
Use a microfiber cloth dampened in some soap and wipe the top and side panels
If your microwave is in close proximity to the stove, you may want to use a degreaser, (per manufacturer recommendations)
And rinse with a clean damp cloth or sponge and use a cloth to dry
🔸 C. Vents, and Airflow Area
Never spray the vents with the liquid directly
Lightly clean with a soft bristle brush, or an old toothbrush or vacuum brush attachment
In case of excessive grime, dip your soft bristle brush in warm water and a little soap mixture
Remove as much liquid as possible, lightly brush, and then wipe clean
Step 3: Advice for Maintenance on Long-Term Use
✅ 1. Always Use a Microwave Cover
Contain splatter, protect internal surfaces.
Use a paper towel, microwave safe lid, or food cover.
✅ 2. Wipe Out Immediately
As the microwave cools down, wipe it out to avoid buildup.
✅ 3. Clean Weekly
Clean food steam weekly if you are using the microwave every day.
Spot clean immediately if you notice spreads hovering.
✅ 4. Never Run It Empty
Running a microwave without food can damage the magnetron (the part that generates microwave energy).
✅ 5. Check the Door Seal Often
Check for cracks or loose seals — all normal signs of reduced seal performance and possible microwave radiation leaks.
❌ Common Microwave Cleaning Mistakes
Avoid these habitual mistakes:
🚫 Using steel wool or ritzy hard scrubbing pad
🚫 Spraying cleaner directly on the control room
🚫 Ignoring persistent odors (which could signal hidden mold)
🚫 Cleaning while plugged in (for deeper external cleaning)
Finally: A Clean Microwave = A Safe Kitchen
Cleaning your microwave has no need to become a cumbersome task.
If you adopt the habit of giving your microwave some regular maintenance for just a few moments of your time, soon you will restore the microwave to a state it had once before, avert a future dirty microwave, and expel lingering (bad) smells for good.
A clean appliance is not only a clean hit – it heats food more evenly, lasts longer, and keeps a safe kitchen environment.
👨🍳 At Tester:
We tested and lived with dozens of kitchen gadgets.
Our tips are tested in the field and approved in the real world –
So make this guide a bookmark and a part of your weekly cleaning routine.
