How to Clean All the Grime off Your Microwave

Cleaning the dried up splatters from inside the microwave is one of the most hated chores of all, and we tend to avoid it because we think it’s going to be hard work. If you try and clean the dried up gunk and grease with only a cloth or brush it is hard work, so you need to put some of the following hacks to work for you instead!

1. Remove the dried food splatter and gunk on the inside

This is pretty simple when done this way, and gets rid of all the hard scrubbing. Put a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and a chopped up lemon inside the microwave. Put the machine on high power for several minutes, or until the solution boils and the window steams up.

Let it cool for 15 minutes, then open the door, remove the bowl and wipe the inside with a sponge. All the dried crud will have been loosened by the steam and will wipe off with no effort.

2. Cleaning the door

Give the rubber gasket that seals the door a wipe down with a sponge dampened with water only. If the window glass is greasy, use a mixture of half vinegar and half water to clean it off, then dry it.

3. Cleaning the exterior

You can also use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the exterior of the microwave, but spray the cleaner on a cloth or sponge first, not on the appliance. Don’t spray the control panel either, or the cleaner may get into the electronics and damage them.

4. Stubborn Spots

Some food sticks like glue, so Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, recommends using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ($3 from Amazon) to help get the stubborn bits off – this eraser has the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Most removable pieces, such as the turntable, can be washed in a sink full of hot water and dish soap. Read the manufacturer’s guide first before you take anything out to clean it.

5. Clean the microwave regularly

In order to make it easier to deep clean next time, Forte recommends wiping down the microwave every couple of days, depending on how often it’s used. If you cook something that splatters, it makes sense to wipe it off as soon as possible so it doesn’t harden and become stuck there.