How to clean a microwave with steam
To clean a microwave, put a microwave-safe bowl of water with a few lemon slices or a spoonful of white vinegar inside and heat it for about three minutes, until the window steams up. Leave the door shut for another few minutes so the steam softens the mess. Then take out the bowl and turntable carefully, wipe the inside with a damp cloth, and wash the turntable in warm soapy water.
What do you need?
- A microwave-safe bowl
- Water, plus a lemon or white vinegar
- Microfiber cloths or a non-scratch sponge
- Dish soap
- Baking soda, for stubborn spots and smells
- An oven mitt
How do you clean a microwave, step by step?
- Fill the bowl. About a cup of water, plus a few lemon slices or a tablespoon of white vinegar. Put a wooden spoon or chopstick in it to help prevent the water from boiling over suddenly.
- Heat it. Run it on high for about three minutes, until the window fogs.
- Wait. Leave the door closed for three to five minutes.
- Take the bowl out with an oven mitt. It's hot.
- Remove the turntable and ring. Wash them in warm soapy water, or in the dishwasher if your manual says it's safe.
- Wipe the inside. Ceiling first, then the walls, then the floor.
- Spot-scrub. For anything left, a paste of baking soda and water on a non-scratch sponge. Rinse with a damp cloth.
- Do the door. Wipe the inside of the door and the seal around the edge, where splatter hides.
- Wipe the outside. Warm soapy water on the door, handle and keypad, using a barely damp cloth on the keypad. Dry.
Lemon or vinegar?
Both work. Lemon leaves a fresher smell; vinegar is cheaper and cuts grease well. If you hate the vinegar smell, add lemon to it. Dish soap in the water works in a pinch too.
How do you clean an over-the-range microwave?
The inside cleans the same way. The difference is underneath: the bottom of an over-the-range microwave sits right over the stove and collects grease from cooking. Wipe it with warm soapy water once it's cool, and check your manual for the grease filters underneath. Many slide out and can soak in hot soapy water. Our stovetop guide covers the burners below.
What should you never do?
- Never run the microwave empty.
- Never put metal, foil or steel wool inside.
- Don't spray cleaner into the vents or onto the keypad; spray the cloth.
- Don't scrub the inside with abrasive pads; they scratch the coating.
How do you keep it clean?
- Cover food with a microwave-safe cover or a paper towel.
- Wipe splatters as soon as they happen, while they're still soft.
- Steam-clean it once a week if it gets daily use.
It's one line on our kitchen cleaning schedule.
Want help with the kitchen?
Book House Cleaning online. If the microwave is a priority, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you clean a microwave with steam? Heat a microwave-safe bowl of water with a few lemon slices or a spoonful of white vinegar for about three minutes, until it steams. Leave the door shut for a few more minutes, then wipe the inside with a damp cloth.
How do you get a burnt smell out of a microwave? Steam-clean it, wash the turntable, and wipe every surface. Then leave a small open bowl of baking soda inside with the door shut overnight. A second round of lemon steam helps with stubborn smells.
Can you put the microwave turntable in the dishwasher? Many glass turntables are dishwasher-safe, but check your manual. Otherwise wash it by hand in warm soapy water and let it cool first if it's still hot.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
