The Easiest Way to Clean a Microwave Without Scrubbing (All You Need Is Vinegar)

Splatters, stinky odors, and bacteria can build up and be tricky to remove if you don’t regularly sanitize your microwave. Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to harsh chemicals or endless scrubbing. 

To keep messes from turning into stubborn, baked-on bothers, learn how to clean a microwave with vinegar.

This simple method, using a natural pantry staple, helps to loosen stuck-on food and neutralize odors to prevent performance problems and promote good food hygiene.

Can I Clean My Microwave With Vinegar?

You can absolutely clean a microwave with versatile vinegar. The acidic properties of this inexpensive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly household cleaner help to break down grease, loosen dried-on food, and neutralize funky odors.

It’s important to always dilute water with vinegar. While some brands (especially those with stainless steel surfaces) recommend using vinegar as a cleaner, others caution that using this acidic solution neat and directly on certain surfaces could damage certain microwave finishes. 

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Gather Your Supplies

To perform a simple vinegar steam clean of your microwave, you don’t need a long list of supplies. Cleaning vinegar, a microwave-safe bowl, and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge are all it takes.

If you need a little extra gentle scrubbing or grease-cutting power, you may also want to consider adding baking soda or dish soap to your list.

However, avoid abrasive scourers and harsh commercial cleaners, such as oven spray or bleach.

Steam Clean Your Microwave

Trying to scrub off cold food spatters is a common microwave cleaning mistake. Unless your microwave has a built-in Steam Clean setting, you can soften hard splatters and sanitize it with a vinegar-and-water solution. 

Before getting started, unplug your microwave and let it cool completely if you have been using it recently.

Fill your microwave-safe bowl with equal parts water and vinegar, leaving it half or three-quarters full. Place the bowl inside the microwave and heat on high for around three to four minutes, or until the solution is visibly steaming.

Leaving the door closed for around another five minutes allows the steam to circulate and loosen ingrained grime on the interior surfaces of your microwave.

Remove and Clean the Turntable

Allow the glass turntable to cool completely before removing it from your microwave and washing it in warm, soapy water. Alternatively, simply pop it in the dishwasher, provided your manual says it’s safe to do so.

Wipe Down and Scrub the Inside of the Microwave

Now that the steam has softened off any baked-on food, you can wipe down the microwave’s interior using a damp sponge or cloth.

Don’t forget to get right into the corners, and cover the ceiling and door seal where sneaky splatters can collect.

The vinegar cleaning method isn’t foolproof, and sometimes stubborn residue can remain on your microwave walls. If this happens, try dipping your cloth in warm water with a drop of grease-cutting dish soap and then wiping the surfaces down again.

Clean the Microwave Exterior

Wiping down the outside of your microwave, especially the high-touch handle and control panel, where grimy fingerprints build up, isn’t a step to skip.

These surfaces might not be covered in spatters, but cleaning them can help to prevent the spread of germs and keep this high-profile kitchen appliance looking presentable. 

Using a mild dish soap and water solution will work wonders. Just be careful not to let any drips seep into the appliance vents.

Excess moisture left in the vents can lead to damage to the electronics, rust ,and corrosion. 

Rinse and Dry the Microwave

Rinse all the surfaces with clean water before drying off with a fresh, absorbent, lint-free cloth.

Leaving vinegar or dish soap on your microwave finishes can cause unsightly water spots and streak,s and encourage mold-making moisture to form.