Short answer
Put a cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl with a few lemon slices or a tablespoon of white vinegar. Add a wooden spoon so it does not boil over suddenly. Heat it on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until the window steams up, then leave the door closed 2 more minutes. Open carefully, take out the hot bowl with oven mitts and wipe everything with a damp cloth.
Safety first
The bowl and the steam get very hot. Use oven mitts, open the door slowly and keep your face back. Never run the microwave empty or with metal inside.
How to clean a microwave with steam
1Splatters dried onto the walls
Every splatter dries harder with each use, and old food can smell when the microwave warms up.
Read all the steps
- Splatters dried onto the walls. Every splatter dries harder with each use, and old food can smell when the microwave warms up.
- A bowl of water with lemon or vinegar. One cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl, with lemon slices or a tablespoon of vinegar. Add a wooden spoon so it does not boil over suddenly.
- Heat it until the window steams up. Three to 5 minutes on high. Then leave the door closed 2 more minutes: the steam softens the dried food.
- Open slowly and wipe it out. Oven mitts for the hot bowl. Take out the turntable and wipe the walls, ceiling and door with a damp cloth.
- Wash the turntable and dry. Wash the glass plate in warm soapy water, dry it and put it back. Wipe the outside and the buttons with a barely damp cloth.
- Still not fixed? Call a house cleaner Especially if: you want the whole kitchen deep cleaned, appliances inside and out.
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What not to do
- Do not run the microwave empty, or with metal, foil or a metal-trimmed bowl inside.
- Do not open the door and lean in right away: the steam can burn.
- Do not spray cleaner into the vents or the control panel; spray the cloth instead.
- Do not scrub the inside with steel wool: it scratches.
Stuck-on spots and smells
For spots that stay, steam it one more time, or rub them with a paste of baking soda and water on a damp sponge, then wipe clean. For a smell that lingers, leave an open box of baking soda inside overnight with the door closed.
When to call a house cleaner
- You want the whole kitchen deep cleaned, appliances inside and out.
- You see sparks or burn marks inside: stop using it and call an appliance technician.
- The door does not close tight, or its seal is damaged.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean a microwave with vinegar?
Heat a cup of water with a tablespoon of white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl for 3 to 5 minutes. Leave the door closed 2 more minutes, then wipe the inside with a damp cloth.
Is lemon or vinegar better for cleaning a microwave?
Both work the same way: the steam does the cleaning. Lemon leaves a fresher smell, and vinegar is what most people already have.
Why put a wooden spoon in the bowl?
Water heated in a smooth bowl can get hotter than boiling and then erupt when you move it. A wooden spoon or a toothpick gives it a place to bubble gently.
How often should I clean my microwave?
Wipe spills right away and steam clean it about once a week if you use it daily. Covering food while it heats keeps splatters down.
How do I get the smell out of my microwave?
Steam it with lemon water, wipe it out, then leave an open box of baking soda inside overnight with the door closed.