To clean a microwave, heat a bowl of equal parts water and white vinegar (or water with sliced citrus) on high until it steams up the inside, let it sit 5 minutes, then wipe everything down with a microfiber cloth — the steam loosens dried-on food so it comes off easily. For stubborn spots, scrub with a baking soda paste. Wipe up spills as they happen and do a full clean about once a week.
Knowing how often to clean any appliance goes a long way toward keeping it clean — and making the job easier. A frequently used microwave should be cleaned at least once a week as part of your routine. Cleaned regularly, it shouldn’t be hard to wipe away food residue or grease.
Also give it a wipe-down after cooking anything messy. Marinara sauce is a common culprit — thick sauces splatter, milk boils over, and spills happen. Dealing with the mess immediately is much faster and easier than letting it dry.
Before the best ways to clean a microwave, here’s why it matters.
The takeaway: keeping your microwave clean isn’t just about appearances — it’s better for your health.
You can use any all-purpose or DIY cleaning solution. Spray the inside, wait a few minutes, and wipe all surfaces with a microfiber cloth. Clean the removable glass turntable the same way, or wash it in the sink with dish soap if it’s very grubby.
Don’t use cleaners that are too harsh — remember, you’ll eat food cooked in there. Bleach can damage microwave surfaces or leave an unpleasant residue. If you use a commercial cleaner, finish with a wipe of fresh water once the stains and dried food are gone.
Don’t forget the door! If the window looks greasy, use dish soap to cut through the buildup.
White vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner — gentle on your microwave but tough on dirt — and a powerful odor neutralizer, so if someone burned a bag of popcorn, vinegar makes the smell go away.
You’ll need:
½ cup water
½ cup white vinegar
Microwave-proof bowl
Microfiber cloth
Step 1: Mix the water and vinegar in the bowl. Place it inside and heat on high until boiling — you’ll know when steam condenses against the door.
Step 2: Turn off the heat and let it steam for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Open the door, carefully remove the bowl, and wipe down the microwave with the cloth.
The hot water and vinegar break down and loosen stains, making them easy to wipe away. Apple cider vinegar works the same way.
Pro Tip: Microwaves heat unevenly, and water can occasionally get superheated, creating a dangerous reaction when disturbed. It’s rare, but you can make heating water safer by:
No white vinegar? That old lemon in the back of your fridge just became a cleaning superstar. Any citrus fruit works, because they contain a natural solvent called D-limonene that cuts through grease.
You’ll need:
1 cup water
1 citrus fruit (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange)
2 tablespoons white vinegar (optional)
Microwave-proof bowl
Microfiber cloth
Step 1: Cut up the citrus and combine it with the water in a microwave-safe bowl, squeezing the fruit to add its juice. Add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar if you have it, though it’s not necessary.
Step 2: Heat in bursts of 1-2 minutes until the water boils and steams.
Step 3: Leave it to steam with the door closed for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Wipe down the microwave with a microfiber cloth.
Related: Why not clean your other small appliances at the same time? Learn how to clean your iron now.
Baking soda is amazing — it cuts through grease and breaks up even the toughest dried-on food. Here are our favorite baking soda microwave hacks.
Make a paste by adding water to the baking soda. Use a sponge to apply it to the door and interior surfaces, scrubbing in circular motions to cut through grease and lift stains.
Sprinkle the baking soda generously across the stain. Put the vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to the baking soda. Let it fizz for 5-10 minutes, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Pro Tip: Vinegar can be corrosive, so wash out the spray bottle after use and run clean water through the nozzle to prevent damage.
To freshen a smelly microwave, place half a cup of baking soda inside between uses. Remove it once the smell is gone (1-2 days), or keep it in as a general deodorizer — just swap it out weekly so it keeps absorbing odors.
Pro Tip: You can also use baking soda to clean a glass top stove.
| How to clean a dirty microwave: solutions to use | ||
| All-purpose cleaner | White vinegar and water | White vinegar and baking soda |
| Citrus fruit and water | Citrus fruit, water, and white vinegar | Water and dish soap |
Now that you know how to clean inside, consider the other areas. Most over-the-range microwaves have two filters — a charcoal filter to reduce odors and a grease filter to prevent buildup in the exhaust fan. Both should be cleaned or replaced on a schedule.
Charcoal filters are usually under the top vent panel — you’ll likely need a screwdriver to remove the panel. Change them about every 6 months, but check your owner’s manual.
Grease filters are on the underside and easier to reach. Wash them monthly: slide the filter out, submerge it in a sink of hot water, dish soap, and ¼ cup baking soda, soak 10-15 minutes, then clean with a scrubbing brush, taking care not to bend the metal. Dry and slide it back into position.
The vent is at the top front — look above the door and you’ll see the air holes. To access it, unscrew the top plate (turn off the microwave at the wall first, and check your manual). Clean it by spraying all-purpose cleaner onto a microfiber cloth and wiping — don’t spray cleaner directly into the vent. For hard-to-reach spots, use Q-Tips dampened with a little cleaning solution.
Related: Now your microwave is clean, it’s time to clean your granite counters too!
Microwaves are great for zapping bacteria, which means they can help keep sponges germ-free. Saturate the sponge with water, place it in a microwave-safe dish, and heat on high for 1 minute (standard scrub sponges) or 2 minutes (cellulose sponges). Let it cool for a couple of minutes, then squeeze out the water.
Cleaning your microwave doesn’t have to be difficult — any food-safe cleaner or DIY solution works. And once you’re done, you can use the microwave to sanitize your cleaning sponges, keeping your whole kitchen hygienically fresh.
Wipe up spills as soon as they happen, clean the interior thoroughly once a week, and clean the grease filter once a month (replace the charcoal filter about every 6 months).1
Only gentle ones, like a homemade scrub of baking soda and water or lemon juice. Anything too abrasive can scratch glass microwave plates or stainless steel, and there’s no undoing that.2
We don’t recommend it. Bleach can leave behind toxic fumes if not properly rinsed, and microwaves are hard to rinse. It can also damage plastic parts. Stick with more natural disinfecting substances like vinegar.3
Citations
1 Copeland, B. (2025, February 19). How to Clean Your Microwave the Right Way and How Often to Do It. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://www.marthastewart.com/7754193/how-clean-microwave
2 Tipnut. Gentle Abrasive Scrubs to Tackle Scum & Dried Crusty Gunk. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://tipnut.com/homemade-softscrub-cleaner-recipe/
3 Van Terheyden, P. (2024, August 9). 5 things never to clean your microwave with — and what professional cleaners use in their homes instead. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/things-never-to-clean-your-microwave-with
