Guide
How to clean a microwave in five minutes.
Dried-on splatters in a microwave do not need scrubbing. Steam does the work for you in a couple of minutes.
Clean a microwave by heating a bowl of water with lemon slices or a splash of vinegar for three to five minutes until it steams up the inside, letting it sit two minutes, then wiping every surface with a cloth. The steam loosens dried food so it wipes off with no scrubbing.
Steam it loose
The trick is to soften the splatters with steam before you touch them.
- Fill a microwave-safe bowl with about a cup of water
- Add lemon slices, or a tablespoon of vinegar, to cut grease and odor
- Heat 3-5 minutes until the window fogs with steam
- Leave the door closed 2 more minutes
Wipe top to bottom
Everything is now loose. Wipe in order so drips fall onto surfaces you have not done yet.
- Carefully remove the hot bowl
- Wipe the ceiling, then walls, then door and seal
- Remove the turntable and wash it in the sink
- Dry and replace
Killing microwave odors
If smells linger after wiping, the lemon or vinegar steam usually handles it. For stubborn odors, leave an open box of baking soda inside between uses.
Rather hand it off? ShowMeClean NWA handles all of this across Barry County and Table Rock Lake. Get a free quote or call (417) 846-1234.
Common questions
Frequently asked
Steam a bowl of water with lemon or vinegar for 3-5 minutes, let it sit, then wipe. The steam loosens everything so no scrubbing is needed.
Steaming with lemon or vinegar removes most smells. For lingering odors, keep an open box of baking soda inside between uses.
Most glass microwave turntables are dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is gentle and quick since it is already loose from the steam.