How to Clean a Microwave Quickly and Easily, According to a Cleaning Expert

All it takes is one round of leftovers or burnt bag of popcorn to turn a sparkling clean microwave into a grimy, smelly mess. The key to keeping a clean microwave is regular maintenance — every few days, at the very least. Good news: Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, has easy-to-follow tips on how to clean a microwave.

Unlike other kitchen appliances, you can clean a microwave with everyday supplies you already have in your house, including baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar (white or apple cider). That’s right, stay away from bleach because General Electric warns it actually weakens the plastic interior and damages the entire appliance in the long-run. Plus, microwaves don’t stain like countertops and sinks, so the high-concentrated cleaner is unnecessary to begin with.

Now that you’re geared with the right cleaning supplies, follow this expert-tested guide to get a sparkling clean microwave, stat:

How to Clean the Microwave from Inside

The mixture of splatters and smells can leave your microwave looking, well, rough. To target your microwave’s interior – turntable included — follow this step-by-step:

1. Combine 1 cup water and lemon, lime, or orange slices (squeeze juice from the fruit slices into the water) into a microwave-safe bowl. If you have white or apple cider vinegar on hand, combine a few tablespoons and 1 cup water into a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Place it inside the microwave and turn it on high power for several minutes until the mixture boils and the window steams up.
3. Let cool for 5 minutes before opening the door, then remove the bowl and wipe the inside clean with a sponge.

How to Clean Greasy Microwave Doors

It’s not just the inside that counts: Remove smudges and grease from the microwave’s exterior by following these tips.

1. Clean the rubber gasket around the door with a sponge dampened with water and dipped in a little baking soda. Wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to rinse.
2. For a greasy window, clean with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Let dry.
3. In a pinch, wipe your microwave door down with an all-purpose, grease-cutting cleaner (Mr. Clean Clean Freak Mist) or a sudsy mix of dish soap and water. Apply the cleaner with a cloth or sponge to prevent cleaner from getting into the vent holes.

How to Get a Burnt Smell (and All Smells, Really) Out of the Microwave

Sad but true: When you burn popcorn in the microwave, the smell comes back whenever you turn it back on. That means that it’s best to get rid of the stench right away. For light odors (think: spicy food with a strong aroma), air it out by leaving the door open or place a bowl of baking soda inside with the door closed to absorb smells. For strong odors (think: burnt popcorn), clean any leftover residue and place an odor-absorbing gel inside, like Fresh Wave, until you run it again.

How to Remove Stuck-on Food in the Microwave

To get rid of dried-on food, use a Good Housekeeping Seal star Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. If it’s stuck to the turntable, just throw it in the dishwasher or wash by hand with sudsy water. Just make sure you read your manufacturer’s manual beforehand.

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