If you use the microwave every day to reheat your meals, then there’s a good chance that it acquires all sorts of imaginable stains — from sauces, oils and all the way to small chunks of food. It is no secret that the key to keeping a microwave clean relies on regular maintenance. This involves wiping and disinfecting the unit clean to get rid of the smell and the stains. But how do you really clean a microwave properly? In this article, we’re going to show you an expert-approved cleaning guide to achieve a squeaky clean microwave without the fuss.

How to Clean Microwave from the Inside

So how do you get rid of the greasy and smelly stains that plague your machine? The answer lies in three easy steps. Follow this guide to clean your microwave’s interior and turntable:

1. Get one cup of water and mix it with lemon or orange slices. Mix and stir the following ingredients into a microwave-safe bowl. If you happen to have white or apple cider vinegar to spare, add in a couple of drops to the mixture and another cup of water.
2. Put the microwave-safe bowl inside the machine and turn it on high power. Set the timer to at least 3 minutes or long enough for the mixture to boil and steam inside the machine.
3. Let the bowl and machine cool down for about 5 minutes before opening the door. Once finished, remove the bowl from the machine and start wiping the interior clean with a sponge. Wipe it again using a clean cloth to remove any excess moisture.
   

How to Clean a Microwave Door Gone Greasy

After you’re done with the interior, it’s time to focus your attention to the machine's door. This is another area that’s most prone to acquiring smudges and grease stains. Here’s a three-step cleaning guide when tidying up the door:

1. Wipe the rubber gasket of the door clean by using a mixture of baking soda and water. Using a damp cloth or soft sponge, dip it into the mixture and apply it to the area until fully clean.
2.  To clean the window of the door, use a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water and apply it using another clean sponge or damp cloth. Afterwards, rinse it with water to remove any trace of the cleaning solution’s scent.
3. If you’re dealing with heavy grease build-up, you can turn to an all-purpose cleaner or a mix of dish soap and water. Simply apply the solution using a clean cloth or a sponge to eliminate any tough-sticking stains from the surface. Make sure to also do this gently to prevent any cleaning solution from getting inside the microwave’s vent holes.
   

How to Get Rid of Burnt Smell Inside the Microwave

Are you guilty of heating your popcorn in the microwave long enough for a burnt smell to start lingering around the kitchen? If your answer’s yes, then this cleaning guide is for you.

1. If you’re dealing with light odors such as spicy food, you can simply get rid of it by leaving the microwave door open for a few minutes. But if it still doesn’t go away afterwards, then you can place a bowl of baking soda inside with the door closed. This trick will help the bowl absorb any remaining smell inside the machine.
2. For strong odors such as burnt popcorn or your favorite dish of Kimchi, you need to get rid of the smell by placing an odor-absorbing gel inside the microwave. Wait for a few minutes or hours and clean any residue of the gel by wiping it with a dry cloth.
   

How to Remove Sticky Food Residue from the Microwave

From greasy stains to burnt smells, the microwave is also prone to stuck-on food particles on its interiors and even exteriors. If you’re dealing with this problem, simply take out the machine’s turntable and place it inside the dishwasher. If you don’t have a dishwasher, you can wash it with dish-washing liquid and water.

Taking Care of Your Microwave and Home Appliances

Tidying up your microwave from stains and hard-to-remove odors can both be daunting and challenging. However, with the right set of cleaning tools and steps, you can easily make the machine squeaky clean again for you and your family’s use.