Easy ways to clean your microwave — inside and out.

What you need to clean a microwave.

• Microfiber cloth
• Distilled water
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Sea salt
• Lemon juice
• Dish soap
• Non-abrasive sponge
• Paper towels
• Microwave-safe bowl

How to clean the inside of a microwave.

Let's work our way from the inside out. Because the inside is the area used for cooking food, it’s best to try to use all-natural, non-chemical products when cleaning your microwave’s interior. After all, those encrusted food spills and stains are usually concentrated inside, especially if you don't clean your appliance after each use.

Start with the microwave plate.

Begin with the plate and trolley, which are responsible for turning the dish when it’s heating inside the microwave. First, carefully remove the plate and wash it by hand or in the dishwasher. 

Underneath the plate is the support trolley with wheels, which you can soak for an hour in a solution of baking soda and water. Once soaked, be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry before replacing back inside the microwave.

Cleaning a microwave with vinegar, lemon and baking soda.

We then move on to cleaning the interior side walls, which are sometimes the most difficult to clean. Vinegar not only makes the surfaces shine but also acts as a natural degreaser and antibacterial cleaner. Lemon is also a natural degreaser. We can combine both in this easy-to-make recipe for your microwave’s interior:

• Make a mix of equal parts of white vinegar and water (at least 2 cups), juice of half a lemon and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. 
• Place these ingredients into a microwave-safe container or bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave. 
• Set the microwave to the maximum temperature to allow the liquid to come to a boil. 
• Let the liquid boil for 5 minutes inside the microwave.
• After the 5 minutes are up, do not open the door immediately. Allow the steam to soften any encrusted food. 
• Once cool, open the door and with a non-abrasive sponge, wipe the walls down with the cooled liquid, rinsing with water each time. Do this until the walls are clean. 
• Be sure to wash the top of the interior as well. 

If stains or hardened food don’t come off easily, you may have to repeat the first steps by making more liquid and letting it boil inside for another 5 minutes. If that doesn’t work, you can make a paste with three parts baking soda to one part water. Place the paste on the encrusted food, leave it on for a few minutes, then remove, rinse and dry.

Before reassembling and closing the door, be sure to dry all parts thoroughly. Any dampness can cause bacteria and bad odors.

Use a steam cleaning device.

Not all microwave ovens are the same, and some have many small parts where food and food stains tend to accumulate and can be difficult to remove with a cloth. The most difficult parts are the gaps between the door and the handle, or between the grates that ensure optimal air exchange is occurring.

In these specific cases, you can clean your microwave oven with targeted steam. I recommend doing a thorough steam cleaning a few times a year. Common steam cleaning devices have nozzles that allow you to reach very small and precise points, where hard-to-reach dirt lurks. The high pressure of the thin jet acts by dissolving and removing encrusted foods and is also excellent for dissolving stains inside the oven.

How to clean a microwave’s exterior.

Dust, fingerprints and food stains can undermine the shine and exterior appearance of the microwave. So let's tackle the outside. 

Steps for degreasing the exterior.

Step 1: Gather your supplies. When cleaning the outside of a microwave, you’ll need a microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge and a degreasing spray. I recommend making your own all-natural degreaser. Here's the recipe:

• 1 ½ cups distilled water
• ¼ cup distilled vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
• ½ cup organic dishwashing detergent
• Mixing bowl
• Spray bottle

Step 2: Pour the water and salt into the bowl. Stir until the salt is dissolved.

Step 3: Pour the detergent into the bowl. Stir until it’s mixed and the mixture starts to thicken. Then, add in the lemon juice and stir. 

Step 4: Place the mixture into a spray bottle, and you are ready to get to work. Keep the bottle nearby so you can spritz it on after every use. If you do that after every use, cleaning up will be quick and easy the next time.

Steps for cleaning the glass.

A mixture of white vinegar and baking soda can help remove fingerprints and make the glass shine. One wipe is all it takes. Just make sure you dry it well with a soft, dry cloth to finish the job.

How to get rid of foul odors in your microwave.

Bad smells in your microwave can ruin the odor and taste of any food you cook. So if your oven has a bad odor, it’s best to remove the smells before heating up your food.

Foul smells are frequently caused by bacteria and old food spills, but they can also come from foods that have strong odors or burnt food. To remove bad odors, you can try the following: 

Oranges and lemons method.

If you would like to try a more fragrant way to eliminate strong odors. Try this:

• Place water in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Place half a lemon and half an orange in the water. 
• Place the bowl in the microwave at its maximum temperature for 4 minutes. 
• Leave the door closed until it’s cool.

Baking soda method.

Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of water. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about 3 minutes. 

Alternatively, you can mix water (at least 2 cups), white vinegar (1 cup) and lemon juice together in a microwave-safe bowl. Start the oven at maximum power for about 4 minutes, and finally let it cool for another 30 minutes before opening.

Coffee grounds method.

You can also reuse coffee grounds to get rid of strong odors by placing ¼ cup of used or new ground coffee in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water. Heat on the maximum heat for 4 minutes. Leave the door closed until it’s cool.

Always wipe the oven dry with a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth after removing the bowl of water.

Maintenance tips to keep your microwave clean.

With a little prevention, you can help ensure your microwave will require little more than a quick cleanup. Use these maintenance tips to keep your microwave clean:

• When heating foods, always use a microwave-safe cover that will prevent your meal from splattering in the oven. 
• If you don't have a microwave safe cover, you can cover your dish with plastic wrap. Be sure to puncture the wrap with a fork and make a few holes. If not punctured, the food may explode while heating.
• When spills or splashes occur, wipe them up immediately before they dry. Once the liquid dries, it will be tough to remove the stains.

Important note: Always use microwave-safe containers and covers. Metal containers (or anything containing metal) should never be placed inside the microwave.

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