How to Clean a Microwave and How Often You Should Do It

Last updated: 2026-08-22

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The fastest way to clean a microwave is to place a bowl of water with two tablespoons of white vinegar or half a lemon inside, run it on full power for 3 to 5 minutes until steam fogs the interior glass, then leave the door closed for two minutes before wiping the inside with a cloth. Steam loosens dried-on splatters so they wipe away easily with no scrubbing or abrasives. Wipe up any spill as soon as it happens, and run the steam method at least once a week for a deeper clean.

Never mix vinegar with bleach or any chlorine-based cleaner - the combination releases toxic gases. Use one cleaner at a time and rinse thoroughly between products.

The quick answer

Place a bowl of water with white vinegar or lemon inside the microwave, run it on full power for 3 to 5 minutes, then leave the door closed for two minutes before wiping the inside with a cloth or soft sponge. Steam loosens stains without needing to scrub or use abrasives. Wipe up spills the moment they happen, and run the steam method at least once a week, more often with heavy daily use.

Key takeaways

• Microwave stains form from food splatter that flies up during uncovered heating, then hardens and lightly burns onto the interior with every reheating cycle it’s left through (how a microwave oven works, from US FDA).
• Steam from hot water loosens dried-on stains without needing hard scrubbing or abrasive cleaners that can scratch the interior surface.
• The turntable and glass tray are usually dishwasher-safe, but check the model’s manual, since some manufacturers recommend hand washing only.
• Stubborn burnt stains need a baking soda paste after the steam method, which lifts stains without scratching the surface (background on sodium bicarbonate, from Britannica).
• Wiping up spills the moment they happen saves you a tiring deep clean later, a minute now beats half an hour afterward.

Why do stains build up inside a microwave?

When food heats uncovered, tiny droplets of moisture and grease fly up and stick to the walls and ceiling of the interior. If they’re not wiped away, they reheat with every subsequent cooking cycle and gradually harden into burnt-on stains that a normal wipe can’t shift. The problem gets worse with regular uncovered heating of greasy or saucy foods.

The steam cleaning method (the easiest and safest)

1. Place a microwave-safe cup or bowl of water with two tablespoons of white vinegar or half a sliced lemon.
2. Run the microwave on full power for 3 to 5 minutes until a clear layer of steam fogs the interior glass.
3. Leave the door closed for two more minutes to let the steam keep loosening stains.
4. Open the door carefully, since the bowl and steam are hot, and wipe the inside with a cloth or soft sponge.
5. Wash the turntable and glass tray with regular soap and water, or place them in the dishwasher if the model’s manual allows it.
6. Dry the interior thoroughly before closing the door to prevent leftover moisture from building up.

Table: daily cleaning vs weekly deep clean

Stubborn burnt stains

If a stain remains after the steam method, make a paste of baking soda and a little water, apply it to the stain, wait 10 minutes, then wipe it off with a soft sponge. Baking soda lifts dried-on stains without scratching the surface the way abrasives or steel wool do, both of which should never go anywhere near the inside of a microwave.

A practical add-on for this step

Anyone who’d rather not measure out vinegar and water by hand every time can use a dedicated microwave steam cleaner, designed to trap steam and direct it at the interior walls faster than a plain cup of water. It saves you the step of timing and measuring vinegar yourself, and it’s an inexpensive, practical add-on for anyone who cleans their microwave regularly.

A microwave that makes cleaning easier from the start

Some designs make it easier to reach the interior corners at cleaning time than others. A practical example from our shortlist: the Toshiba MW3-AG20PE 3-in-1 20L Grill Microwave, the most reviewed microwave in this category with thousands of positive reviews on Amazon.sa, which is why it tops our guide to the best microwave in Saudi Arabia. You’ll find its current price and the Amazon.sa link in the card below.

When to stop and call a technician

• A burnt stain remains after the steam method and baking soda treatment.
• An unpleasant smell lingers despite regular interior and door-seal cleaning.
• The interior surface has been scratched or damaged by a metal tool or abrasive cleaner.

Stop using the appliance and have a qualified technician inspect it before using it again.

The bottom line

Cleaning a microwave doesn’t require hard scrubbing: a bowl of water with vinegar or lemon loosens most stains within minutes, and stubborn burnt spots come off with a baking soda paste. Wipe up spills the moment they happen, and run the steam method at least once a week. If rice ever spills during reheating and leaves marks behind, our guide on how to reheat rice in the microwave without drying it out covers a method that avoids the mess in the first place. If an unpleasant smell lingers despite regular cleaning, read why does a microwave smell and how to get rid of it. If you’re still shopping for a microwave, browse our guide to the best microwave in Saudi Arabia, or if you’re torn between solo and grill read solo vs grill microwave, and for the full buying criteria see how to choose a microwave, or browse the full microwaves section.

Sources

• US FDA, “Microwave ovens”, how a microwave works and how food splatter forms inside it: https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/resources-you-radiation-emitting-products/microwave-ovens
• Britannica, “Sodium bicarbonate”, background on baking soda and its use in cleaning: https://www.britannica.com/science/sodium-bicarbonate

This analysis is based on published information from US FDA (Microwave ovens), Britannica (Sodium bicarbonate).

Written by Mohab Mohamed Hussein