How to clean a microwave, step by step

Splatters left inside a microwave dry hard, bake on each time you reheat and start to smell. The easiest fix is steam: it softens dried food and grease so most of it wipes off in one pass. A routine clean takes about 10 minutes and uses things you already have in the kitchen.

What you need

• Microwave-safe bowl or large measuring jug
• Water
• White vinegar, or a lemon
• Wooden spoon or chopstick
• Microfibre cloth or soft sponge
• Mild dish soap
• Baking soda, for stubborn marks
• Oven gloves

How to steam-clean a microwave

1. Make the solution. Pour about one cup of water into the bowl and add one to two tablespoons of white vinegar, or the juice of half a lemon plus the squeezed halves.
2. Add a wooden spoon or chopstick. Water heated in a smooth container can superheat and boil over suddenly when moved. Something wooden in the bowl helps prevent this.
3. Heat it. Run the microwave on high for three to five minutes, until the water boils and the window steams up.
4. Keep the door shut. Wait two to three minutes so the steam can soften the residue.
5. Remove the bowl carefully. Use oven gloves, because the bowl and liquid will be very hot.
6. Wipe the interior. Start with the ceiling, where grease collects, then the side walls, back and floor. Finish with the inside of the door and its edges. Dip the cloth in the warm solution if you need more moisture.
7. Wash the turntable. Lift out the glass plate and the roller ring underneath, and wipe the floor beneath them. Wash both parts in warm soapy water, dry them and put them back.

Removing stubborn stains

Some marks survive steaming, especially burnt sugar and old grease on the ceiling.

1. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste.
2. Spread it over the stain and leave it for five to ten minutes.
3. Rub gently with a damp cloth or soft sponge.
4. Wipe away all the paste with a clean damp cloth, then dry.

Repeat rather than scrubbing harder. Metal scourers and abrasive powders scratch the interior coating.

Cleaning the outside

Unplug the microwave before you clean the exterior thoroughly.

• Door and handle: wipe with a cloth dampened in soapy water, then dry. The handle is touched every day, so give it extra attention.
• Control panel: spray cleaner onto the cloth, never directly onto the buttons or touch panel, so liquid cannot seep behind them.
• Vents: dust them with a dry cloth or soft brush. Do not push liquid into the vents.
• Top and sides: wipe off dust and kitchen grease, especially if the microwave sits near the stove.

For built-in and combination microwave ovens, follow the manual, particularly for the grill element.

Getting rid of smells

If a smell lingers after cleaning, steam the microwave again with lemon, then leave the door open for an hour to air it out. A small bowl of baking soda left inside overnight, with the microwave switched off, can absorb what remains. Remove the bowl before you next use it.

What to avoid

• Running it empty. Never switch on a microwave with nothing inside to absorb the energy. It can damage the appliance.
• Harsh chemicals. Bleach, oven cleaner and strong solvents can leave residue near food and damage the coating.
• Metal scourers. They scratch the interior, and damaged coating can lead to rust.
• Too much water. Liquid can run into vents and electronics. Use a damp cloth, not a wet one.

If you notice sparking, a damaged door seal or peeling paint inside, stop using the microwave and check with the manufacturer or a qualified technician.

How often to clean it

• After any spill or splatter: wipe while it is still soft.
• Weekly, or when splatter builds up: steam-clean the interior and wash the turntable.
• Monthly: wipe the exterior, vents and control panel.

Covering food with a microwave-safe lid while reheating keeps most of the mess off the walls and saves a lot of cleaning. For the rest of the kitchen, the kitchen cleaning checklist sets out daily, weekly and monthly tasks.

If the whole kitchen needs attention, our deep cleaning service covers kitchen surfaces, cabinets and appliance exteriors within an agreed scope, with supplies and equipment provided. Appliance interiors can be added as an optional task to spring cleaning before a festival or guests.